Do you have the fulltime tcase?

You need to allow the tcase plenty of time to go into 4hi. Most of the time, popping the tranny into N then back into D can help it engage.

I'm not sure, is that the sticker on the driver's side back axle? It's an 06 sport 4x4. I bought it used so I'm not to sure




I've noticed that coming out of 4hi and that usually what I do to get it to disengage. Don't know why I didn't think of it for engaging though. But the tranny did have plenty of time I was running in 4hi for a good 10 minutes before I even got into the mud shouldn't it had engaged by then?

A fulltime Tcase means that you have the options of 4Hi, 4L0, and a 4Fulltime all wheel drive. By your reaction, i gather you don't have that option.

Since you have the part-time tcase, its engaging since it physically shifts it into 4hi when you shift it. Im not sure why you are getting the grinding.

The full-time case works different than the parttime.

The linkage could need adjusting...

I've got one for you... KJ front diffs are like any other IFS diff. They do NOT have manual locking hubs so there is a mechanism used to replace them which makes them "automatic" locking hubs. It's an electrical servo driven little gadget that has a plunger in it that gets pushed or pulled into and out of gear. They can be problematic, especially in incliment weather. With as few miles on it as your Jeep has (although it's alot for the year) and the fact that you bought it USED, that could be the reason the original owner sold it. He/she was probably scared that bigger problems were coming. It really shouldn't be difficult or expensive but first thing I'd do (before my warranty runs out) is have the dealer replace whatever mechanism DC uses to "automate" their front IFS diff.

Wait a second! If Liberties don't have them then what mechanism engages the front diff axles?

Nothing engages them, they are always turning. When you put the tcase in 4wd, torque is then sent to the front wheels.. Thats it.

I'd go as far to say that all T-cases are probably pretty picky when it comes to how you shift them into 4-wheel drive. I had problems with my front diff disengaging with a pop and I found out later, it was how I shifted into 4-wheel. Not to be a downer, but check your manual! I had a few friends tell me to do what they have to do with their Wranglers and Cherokees, but I've found sticking to what the manual says exactly gives me solid 4x4 when I need it. Still, my front diff still disengages sometimes, but it's always when I'm on a flat hard surface, like a rock or hard dirt/gravel mix, basically anything flat with not much give. I'm pretty sure that's when I should be using full-time. I took it into the dealership and all they told me is that I should stop mudding cause when they looked at my KJ there was a huge mud-clod around my t-case lever on the underside which may have made it hard for me to engage 4x4.

Have them look at your front diff and t-case before your warranty expires. Why not?

I am not sure how much you know about how the T-case realy works so dont take this the wrong way

The T-case and the front diff are only connected by the driveshaft NOTHING else
if your T-case jumps out then to "N" then both front and rear get no power also it can jump out of 4hi and get stuck between 2wd and 4hi and then it will gring like an SOB best thing to do if this happens is to shift to neutral on the trany shut off the engine and rock the jeep front to back while putting slight pressure on the T-case leaver shifting to 2wd once in 2wd restart and drive then try again

Folks like to quote the owner manual like it is the bible or somthing
I like to think of it more as a guide but nothing can replace experance

I think you are hearing the traction control, It will dim the lights too like ABS.