I have a 98' XJ 4.0l with a auto, Aw-4, 2x4. Few days ago I took a right turn and I heard a grinding noise in the rear part of my car. after completing the turn it went away, and parked as soon as I got a chance. Check the car around and it seemed good. I put it back into drive and it didn't move without applying gas. my house was only a block home so I drove it and parked.

sorry if it gets confusing.. so the low down is; the shifter moves freely in the gears no problem. But in reverse it won't move at all. In neutral I tried pushing it but the wheels and won't move at all. Drive gears still have to apply power to move it slowly. Also when putting it in gear it doesn't make that sound or weight transfer anymore. And there's no high pitch noise coming from the trans either.

I had my dad take a look he thought the wheels were locked, while I looked at the drive shaft in the rear. he dropped it in reverse and revved it to 2grand and it popped back. although it was still the same case going through the gears. On the drive shaft it jumped up when it moved.

I'd appreciate the help if anyone can help me on what happened to my vehicle. Thanks!

 

Your differential may need attention.

 

Okay. I'll take a look at the pan. Upcoming Monday. Thanks.

 

Check the smell of the fluid and the color of the fluid (on the dipstick).


Burnt


Black


Also, is the trans fluid full?

 

yeah it smells fine but the fluid black. The level was full and I actually checked it the day before it happen. The jeep has 220k miles on it and I check fluids every now and again Because of it.

 

Pull your rear brake drums and inspect the drums/shoes.

 

Sorry for that late response. College kid.
I pulled them off and check them. the drum pistons were bad. Within this week I've changed both drum piston and shoes. I also install some new u-joints front and rear. It still isn't moving at all. At this point the only thing I can think of that can be locking the wheels is the rear wheel bearings...

 

When the driveshaft was out you should have tried turning the wheels (off ground axle on stands)

Does the axle appear to be leaking fluid? Either inside drums or at driveshaft (pinion shaft) ?

 

No I don't believe so. Everything was nice and tight. And now that I've already taken stuff off I cleaned it and put it back nice n tight There's no leaks.

 

I started replacing wheel bearings and after a whole day of wrong tools and short pulley arms I took em out. i was so disgusted that I couldn't find the right bearings. Anyway I'm going find one bearing and take it somewhere to get it fixed.
I'm not even sure that it's the reason the rear end of the Cherokee sounds like a skateboard rolling on concrete.