1998 Cherokee 4.0L I engaged the 4wd and wham it felt like the trans was going to fall out. It felt like the brakes were on. The trans slipped and the jeep barely moved. Making loud noises, not a good thing. I was able to put it in neutral and disengage the 4WD and after a few feet the jeep ran fine, like nothing was wrong. Souds like a bad chain in the transfer case?? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Had one of those at work last week with the same problem. Yes, the chain was skipping teeth.

 

Have you ever used 4x4 mode on this jeep?
IF so, prolly the chain,
if not.
You need to verify that both differentials have the same ratio in them.
Almost sounds what your describing is a mismatched ratio more than a chain slipping.

 

someone had mixed gear ratios on my 99 and when I first tried to use
it, it felt like it wanted to fold in the middle. (3:73 front / 3:55 rear)
I had even changed t-cases thinking it was bad.

 

Guess my test drive did not test enough. Shame on me. Guess I did not go far enough. I will check gearing. Then open the case. Thanks

 

My money is on the t case chain