You shouldn't be using the 4wd on dry pavement unless you have the full-time option.

 

Well it was doing it on sand and I just wanted to make sure everyhin is ok. So yours does the same thing when off road? Bcz my buddies doesn't and he has the np231 also

 

I'M not, that's why I'm asking about this problem

 

That's weird that it's doing it in loose stuff too. I have the NP231 and mine doesn't seem to do this unless I'm on solid ground

 

That's why I'm concerned

 

I think you should take a pry bar and try to move the axle u-joints if you haven't done this already. It sounds like it could be that. Do you have any wobble in the steering wheel at a certain speed then goes away at a different speed?

 

Is the oil in the front diff? Is there fluid in the Transfercase? Have you checked inside the front diff, Ring and pinion condition, carrier bearings, spider gears?

 

x3 .. if you are turning with your jeep in 4wd on pavement or gravel. or any non loose area it will "buck" /jump a little. but go turn in grass or dirt or mudd and you will notice the change.

 

Honestly this just sounds like typical 4x4 behavior to me. It's gonna feel different in 4x4 cuz it's grabbing at the front end now as well as the back, just like others have said. i know i can totally feel a difference in 4x4 vs 2x4 on my xj, my dads explorer, his rav4, my moms 4runner, my buds wrangler, and my other buds tacoma. It's normal, but you're probably just not used to feeling it cuz you don't (or shouldn't) typically drive around all the time with the 4x4 engaged.

 

Front axle u-joints are only a year old. I do have a wobble when coming up to 35-40 mph and when coming from highway to 35-40 mph off ramp speed. its just a little shaking but i also want to correct that. what would cause those wobbles since my u-joints are new?

 

Front diff. has plenty of oil and transfer case has fresh oil in it. i might do a fluid change in the front diff. soon but at the moment the oil in it now is full and ok looking. i dont know much about ring and pinion. what SHOULD it look like?

 

Thats the thing. it does this even when in mud grass sand. it does it all the time no matter the surface.

 

i dont drive around with the 4wd engaged all the time but when i do use it off road it makes this feeling and it worries me. it also makes popping noises in the front.

 

still nothing?

 

Well, you've checked everything you can from what you've told us, unless you still haven't opened up the diff and taken a look. As far as I can tell, it's normal. feels different, cuz it is different. heck, it could just be one of those things that you have to wait till it COMPLETELY breaks to know what it is. Good luck to ya!