EddScott

I've got a 1999 Cherokee on 62K.

I'm in the process of selling it and wanted to check if the drive selector was working. Put it into 4WD and it got stuck in PT. Can tell its in PT by binding up on lock. I thought I released it but wasn't sure if it was in 4 or 2. I had to pull the selector back and for quite a bit to free it up but it doesn't feel right.

It now feels odd to drive. I had a garage check it over and the guy said that it was in 2WD and they greased up the linkages. He said its going into 4WD and 2WD OK.

But it still feels odd. I find XJs a bit vague anyway when driving but now it feels like I'm not in ful control of it. When it turns into a corner it kind of feels like it doesn't want to turn - like its pressing on forward. It feels a bit like its squirming when cornering. It feels a bit heavier to turn the wheel and I also think it sounds a bit louder than it did before.

I'm wondering if the transmission is damaged in some way. I really had to slam the selector back into 2WD and now when putting it in Park the selector is a little off and the key won't come out unless I use a little more force than before.

Really annoyed because I'm trying to sell and had one lad really interested but I just don't trust it right now. It actually feels a bit dangerous.

Firestorm500

It's either still in PT 4WD or the hubs have not unlocked.

Try going to a loose gravel or dirt road. Put it in 4WD and drive forward about 50-100 feet until it is engaged. Stop, put it back in 2WD and back up the same distance. Kind of turn the steering wheel from side to side a little bit while you are doing this. This should help the system get out of its bind.

EddScott

Cool thanks mate, will give it a try.

Is it definately in PT if it binds up on full lock?

I'll try the driving thing - will it feel odd if the hubs are have not unlocked?

I guess so and it isn't in PT as its OK on full lock. Theres a sharp turn into our road, like almost 180 degrees and usually if I use a bit too much gas it will kick the back end out. Tonight it just really badly squirmed all over the place and almost went into the curb. Also, pulling out of our road is slightly uphill and particularly at the moment with a bit of frost it will light up the rears. Now it just squirms about and doesn't really spin up. This is why I thought it might still be in 4WD.

Short of going onto to some grass and asking the wife to tell me if all 4 wheels spin I'm not sure how to check for sure. If I jack up one side and put it in D will the wheels turn the opposite way? I've only got a car trolly jack so its tricky jacking it.

EddScott

On the way to work this morning it was a bit of a hairy ride.

Its a bit frosty here in the UK so in rwd its always going to be a bit eager to slide but its doing it pretty much without warning.

This buiness about PT and the hubs still being locked - would it mean that although the rear wheels are being driven theres drag on the front making it wag its tail?

Thats the only way to describe what it is doing. Its like theres force on the front wheels making the rear swing from side to side.

Is there a way to visually see if these "hubs" are locked? I don't have many gravel lanes near me so I thought it the hubs are stuck would driving gently (ish) into a curb free them off?

Unfortunately there isn't many XJ specialists in my area (or in the UK for that matter) and I dont really have the space/tools/knowledge to look at it myself.