RyanT

Ok so I just bought a pretty clean 98 cherokee. I got a decent deal on it due to the 4wd not working. The guy said the 4wd hasn't worked ever since he put In the 4in rough country lift.
What is weird is that when I put it in 4wd and drive down the road, I can hear the front end humming as if it is in 4wd, just like my old xj sounded in 4wd. But when I try to get up my snowy driveway, it is only the back wheels spinning so it is very clear that the front wheels are not putting down power.
When I put it down to 4low, the engine setting changes to a low setting with low power and feels the exact same way as 4low in my old xj. But the front wheels are not putting down power! So it seems and sounds as if all 4wd settings are engaging the front end, but the front end is just not connecting I guess.

Anyone have any ideas?? And yes the front driveshaft is there. Any help would be highly appreciated

HS00XJ

have you checked the linkages

RyanT

I tried to adjust the linkage but it's rusted so bad the linkage rod started bending before the screw loosened... I think the linkage is good tho because is goes into all 4wd settings perfectly without trying to slip out of them, I can hear the difference in the way it drives, it's just the front wheels aren't actually putting power down.. Weird.. I don't know where to go from here

mschi772

Unlocked locking hubs?

94XjSport94

Highly doubt he has selectable hubs...

Replace the old linkage with new stuff from Boostworks.

SatiricalHen

Put it on a lift and put it in 4 and see what's spinning. Did he remove the insides of the differential?

RyanT

Selectable Hubs? How do those work I do not believe my 98 cherokee has that... If it helps if I describe what kind of cherokee, it has all crank windows and no powered door unlocks just all manual.
It shouldn't be the linkage because as I can tell, it goes into 4wd high perfectly without slipping out of it, i can tell by the humming sound coming from the front end after engaging 4wd. same exact humming sound my last cherokee made while in 4wd.
4wd low engages perfectly and drives in a lower engine setting just as my old cherokee felt also.
Only difference is that while In these settings, the front wheels put down no power!
Could it be from a loss of fluid in differentials or in the tcase? It seems the tcase has some oil on it so maby it leaked? But the settings clearly engage perfectly I can hear it, 4wd on xj makes a distinctive sound while driving that I am very familiar with.
This seems pretty unusual lol and I am far from being a mechanic

Tsaani97xj

No or broken chain in the tcase? Need to get it on a lift/stands and see if the front shaft spins in 4wd. At least youll then know if its diff or tcase.

RyanT

Ok I'm gunna go spin my rear tires in 4wd on my icy uphill driveway and have my buddy look under and tell me if my front driveshaft is spinning. Will report back soon

krazynezz

I'm scared...

RyanT

Lol I guess that does sound rather dangerous.
As soon as I find my keys...

RyanT

So in 4wd, the front driveshaft does spin, but somehow that spinning is not making it to my front wheels... So it is in the differential? Could anyone tell me what to look for in there or how to go about fixing it? I've never done work like that before... Someone has also suggested to me that the "locking hub mechanism" could be broken or something? Any advice would be helpful thanks guys!

fletch469

Dude I had the same issue and it was my t case. I replaced it and now 4x4 works.

RyanT

But with 4wd engaged, the tcase turns my front driveshaft so it can't be the tcase right?

timamybrown

Your front shaft will turns in 2wd if your driving. Put it in 4wd jack the front up and see if you can turn the shaft by hand if the shaft turns its not locked in if it doesn't turn then you are locked in at the t-case.