Cane

Alright so I went out tonight and I thought why not go ahead and find some easy spot for my still stock cherokee to have some fun. All went great (well I thought) untill I went back on the pavement and started feeling some weird stuff in 4x4. When going back in 2x4, everything went great, no problems.

The issues are basically in 4LO and 4 Part Time, 4 Full Time seems to be not so bad. Anyways, When turning I get a certain wobble if I can call it like that. Basically, while turning, my steering wheel will move from left to right and I get some weird noises. From what I can remember, I didn't severly damaged anything under the car. The diff rubbed a little on trees for example, but as soon as I felt I couldn't go further I simple backed away. Also in 4LO the jeep is just acting strange, I don't know how to explain it really, but I've never felt that before.

Anyways, my question is, what might be my issue here? I know I should get new ball joints, but from the pictures I've taken when I came back home, I noticed some liquids under the jeep. I'm far from a good mechanic, so I don't know what they are really, that's why I'm asking here!

Maybe I should say I also noticed the engine temperature going above average, I don't know if that's normal because I was in 4 part time most of the time, but that was for less than 20-30 minutes..

Any help would be appreciated, and I can take more pictures if needed.

Thanks!

Turbo X_J

"From what I can remember, I didn't severly damaged anything under the car."
^ Sorry, but that is funny, were you highly intoxicated by chance?

Don't use part time at all except on slippery surfaces, by the looks of your pics it's time for new diff seals.

Cane

I didn't use 4 part time for what I did, it's only after going back on the pavement that I tried it out since 4lo was acting weird. Most of the time I was still in 2wd because it was nothing hard and put it in 4lo in harder spots.

I just went back and looked behind the front diff. I guess that doesn't look good right?

Cane

Thanks for the seal suggestion btw, I'm looking into that.

From what I found, this is my issue (well the way to fix it)?

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/xj...acement-43429/

belvedere

You shouldn't have it in 4HI or 4LO on pavement. What you are describing sounds like the transfer case binding, which is what will happen on a hard surface.

belvedere

Yes, time for a pinion seal!

Cane

Yea I know I made some mistakes but I doubt just trying out 4 part time on pavement caused this problem.

Anyways looks like I'll check out the seal first but is there anything else I might take a look at while I'm at it.

Parsnip

Basically the popping and steering wheel movement is from binding your axle joints while in 4wd. Don't give it full cut steer for too long or those joints will deteriorate faster.

Lead Foot

Like mentioned above. The steering wheel moving left to right and weird noises is 100% normal when turning a corner on pavement or other hard surface while in 4 low or part time 4 high as well as slightly noticeable in full time 4 high.

Your pinion seals and possibly axle seals are however bad. You definitely want to take off the diff covers and empty all the mud and water out that most likely seeped in.

cruiser54

And to make sure you get good, clean shifts into and out of the different mosdes in a NP242 transfer case, shift like the factory said to:

Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual.

"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I let off the gas, throw the lever, and then tap the gas and let off.

4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".


Another thing: Have you ever checked the gear lube levels/condition of trans, transfer case, and diffs?

Cane

Thanks for all the information! The shifting from 2x4 to 4x4 is nice to know, I always fully stopped the vehicle and put it in neutral before shifting.

Also, since that is on the front diff, can I still drive in 2wd without any issue? I need the car for work obviously, but most of the time I'm in the city it stays in 2wd.

I haven't myself, so I'll do that too.