I took my xj out of 4 wheel drive hi for the first time in a few monthes, and started to get a really bad rubbing grinding sound - like there was a lot of drag in the front end. checked the brakes and they are not dragging. I put it back in 4 wheel drive and it seemed to go away - now its back in 2 wheel and doing it again - put it back in 4 wheel hi and its still doing it. If I let off the gas I can tell somthing big is dragging. Any idaes? (1999 cherokee) I did notice some oil in the left side wheel well.

 

when dose it seem to do it, straight , turning, reverse , d : all of the above

 

all of the above - it sounds like a caliper dragging - but i know its not that.. its weird it went away in 4wheel drive - now it seems it does it in 4 wheel or 2. hope its not the seal and the front end is out of oil.. or a wheel bearing

 

I had the same problem and it ended up being my wheel hub. It could be the same thing for yours, if you take off you tire, brakes,rotor and caliper and you have a lot of play in the wheel hub that could be your problem. Good luck to you

 

Hoping that's it got 20mile drive home than can pull tire

 

You drive your Jeep in 4wd Hi all day? I wouldn't do that its never good to use that transfer case 24/7. Thats just my honest opinion.

 

well if it didn't snow everyday I won't use it Now that the snow has stopped I am trying to use two wheel and this is what happened..

 

if it is a wheel bearing - I bought 'Superior' brand bearings, USA made from car quest , you can really tell a difference in quality vs. others, wheel/hub bearings aren't cheap either. you should be able to check the hub bearings without taking the tire off,...just jack it up and push/pull , rotate and listen/feel for any loose play,