Few months ago got an '01 sport, came with 30x9.5x15s so it was perfect, 4x4 worked when test driven..as I stated its stock no body lift no shackles etc. I've been researching online, but its hard to actually pinpoint the cause because when I search for it with my info I keep getting results as if I'm looking to buy a jeep, or Cherokee or (jaguar) xj for 2001 dollars so I'm pretty frustrated. On top of that I've been to two different shops with two different answers so now to the problem

First off when I stop put in neutral shift into 4H it only says part time on my dash, thought I'd throw that in since it's been bugging me..
When I'm into 4H it works for a half a breath, then it shakes kinda bad..I won't say DW cause I'm not sure that's what it is. After a few more inches of driving I get this "grunging" type sound. Almost like a deep whining noise..I thought it could be time to change the gear oil? But then I wondered why it doesn't do this when in 2wd.. Furthermore, even after all this I was attempting to do some troubleshooting so I kept the RPMs & stayed on a straight path. The shaking stopped a bit. But of course during the first turn it shakes my vehicle A LOT. Enough to make me slow down & kind of ease my way out of the turn. But because of this it almost escalated the shaking now. So now I'm forced to pull over & go back into 2wd.

THEN I'm still having some sort of issue with it cause it takes a few feet for it to snap back into the regular 4x4.. I've read it could be my axles (but I'm not lifted) I've heard alignment (but its fine in 2wd,tested in a parking lot), steering stabilizer, shocks... I understand its a car & anything can happen as with life but is there just ONE definitive answer or action I can take to stop this? I can't keep going back & forth to the shop buying parts & labor just to get slapped in the face with the same problem but now they think its "this" or "that" etc.. Can anyone help ¿ Thx in advance for @least reading this...

(More background on xj) have some bad sensors (check engine light). Honestly they can't even say what the codes are but first it was I needed a new gas cap.my thermostat & I recently found out it's a sensor in the tranny?!.idk I haven't been able to wrap my head around how to go about paying labor for changing sensors when they can't even give me a straight up answer..... LASTLY within the last 3months we've been thru 2 tires on both front & back on passenger side!! Those 30s, yeah. Dunlop radial rover RV m+s, these tires were FAR from bald! Still have plenty of rubber/knots/tread on them. The first one we woke up to a flat tire & after putting air in them we got on freeway & it looked like someone shot @the back tire-i was driving behind in another car- but the 2nd happened on a rainy night on freeway while I was @work while my fiancé and daughter were driving. So you guys can imagine waking up the next morning scrambling to find a used 30" tire —2WICE

http://postimg.org/gallery/awprjik6/

 

Whining is your transfer case making noise. They tend to do that when you're in 4wd. And have you adjusted your transfer case linkage?

 

Right, but this is a louder noise though.. Like its struggling to do something, but idk what.. &linkage? No.. From what ppl tell me & what I've read, that sounds like something I'd do if I was rock crawling(or lifted above 4")
But since you mentioned it —what would I benefit from adjusting it?(why would I)

 

Sometimes linkages need adjusted. Not just lifted vehicles. Put your tc in 4l as far down as the tc shifter will let you, On your tc linkage underneath there is a bolt. Loosen the bolt I think its a 10mm, if your tc linkage slides freely than tighten the bolt back up and put your tc back in 2wd

 

Benefits.... to see if it needed adjusted or not. Also, have you checked the fluid?

 

Okay thanks,, I know I'm going to have a lot to do/check so that'll be #1 on my list...

 

First, check the fluid.

Second, check your engine and trans mounts.

Third, shift it the way you're supposed 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. The suggestions in ITALICS are mine.

"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".

To shift out of 4L, shift the transmission into neutral with the vehicle stopped, shift the transfer case lever to 2H, then to D if you have an automatic, or into first gear with a manual, and continue on.


Revised 01-31-2014

Fourth:

 

I shifted the way you said (Thx), same problem.. Also, I didn't really clarify about that "whining" noise from below, it's constant, not quick. I could understand if it happened for a few secs then quiet but the duration of the noise lasts until I'm out of 4H..
The linkage video gave good insight, Thx for that as well. It seems logical, I can see that needing to be done But I will take any & all suggestions.. I don't want to get my hopes up. Plus I'm into the knowledge(I'm a Jeepster).. We had 2 ZJs a few years back I sold to my bro in law, we have Pikachú our XJ & a Scrambler in the garage that will -eventually- be restored.. When time & funds become less of an issue :/

*inserted a link up in the original post with all the codes that came up too if I can get some f'back on that wud be appreciated.

 

Inadvertently drove over a small pot hole/bump last night after I put in 4x4(I did this after I was stopped & shifted from park down to drive & back a few times), & the noise & all the tension went away. We got a few inches of snow so I was pretty excited that the symptoms went away, for now.. I went into work leaving it in 4H hoping it would be okay but when I came back out only a few hours later it started jarring & whatnot after I pulled out of my space & the lot.. I've read this happening to ppl while trying to get OUT of 4H but I guess I'm having problems going in and out of it.. Even while driving in a straight line it wants to pull to the right just a little bit but once I'm back in 2H I don't have that sporadic behavior.?

 

This sounds like a badly worn-out front driveshaft to me. Before you spend another dime, remove and inspect. The slip yoke and cardan joint are likely worn out. Spend what you must for a NEW unit; new u-joints won't get it. I bought a new OEM unit last year for about $275, out the door.

Be certain you lube the new unit yourself. They are rarely lubed properly from the factory.

 

Nice, thanks.. My future goal was to get a 3" total suspension lift(3" coils front/2" leaf&1" shackles rear), will that oem part be compatible with this?plz say that made sense lol

 

Yes that shaft will fit fine when you lift it.

 

Asssuming you have the 242 (Selec-Trac) you're shifting into 4H and the dash is still showing part-time?

You're probably in part-time 4x4 then considering you get significant noise and shaking when not going in a slow straight line and lack of symptoms in snow. Be careful on dry pavement and heed any warning sounds the jeep be giving you!

 

Verify that the differentials have the same gear ratios and that all 4 tires are the same diameter.

 

This. I figure he has the 241.