Should front driveline spin in 2wd?

theeld · **Joined:** Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:46 am **Posts:** 30

My 06 liberty CRD has started a slight but noticable hum/rumble at certain speeds, can feel it ever so slightly on the steering wheel as well. In order to diagnose (check brake pads etc), I pulled off one front wheel. While spinning the front wheel I noticed the front driveline spinning. I replaced wheel, moved to other side, lifted passenger side, spun wheel and front driveline spins. Is my Liberty stuck in 4wd, or is it expected that the driveline would spin in 2wd?

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2018 8:11 pm

Yes, the front driveline spins all the time, although it is only engaged at the transfer case in 4WD. If 4wd was engaged, the driveshaft wouldn’t spin but you might get the other front wheel to spin in the opposite direction.

Some things to check:
Transfer-case-side CV joint on the front driveshaft. The rubber boot tends to crack and disintegrate, it loses its grease, and then starts to vibrate as the joint slowly deteriorates. This joint can be replaced without replacing the whole driveshaft. See driveshaftparts.com for a replacement.

Intermediate shaft between the passenger side CV and the front diff. The splines tend to go after a while, leading to vibration. If you replace the right CV or intermediate shaft, do them both at the same time.

Either The right or left CV might be going. Check the rubber boots to see if they are cracked and are shedding grease.

Should front driveline spin in 2wd?

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