slipping out of 4x4

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:09 am

During the LOST Rockies Eagle Rock run, Marty (Rock Lizard) was spotting me quite a bit and noticed my front wheels kept disengaging with a thud. I would then only have rear-wheel drive, but still technically be in 4x4. This would happen in both 4lo and 4hi. What possible problems are causing this? I am going to take it into the dealership (7 year power-train warrantee), but they may try to accuse my lift or my offroading itself for this problem, and if so, what can I say to try to get them to cover it? I know the lift only affects suspension components with the exception of CVs, and this is a front diff or transfer case issue. This could be my main defense against any BSing, but will they try to pull any other crap?

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:20 am

It could be the actual shift fork to the transfer case. I know that I had an issue with mine staying in 4lo at first. As far as warrantee goes, they may have you. The lift will affect the cv joints, drive shafts, and since the drive shafts go into the transfer case and tranny, they could have you on that stating that the shafts are at a larger angle than stock.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:38 pm

Is is possible I am not shifting correctly?

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:27 pm

my tj does that from time to time i has to do with the t-case not being used for a while or some thing like that
although in the past few month it has been good to me but when i first bought it ,it had never been put in to 4wd and it was almost 3 years old
so at that time it was doing the very same thing even did it once going down a very steep hill not fun
i would go find some place to put it in 4wd both low and high and run in circles if need be to loosen things up
if that dont work check the linkage that may be a problem also

NJ KJ · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 8:41 pm

You should look at the TC and check of the electric sending unit is unpluged or damaged... that could do it too.... or if one of the wires got severd or something like that..... i had a friend that happend to. :evil:

... i resolderd teh connection and the TC was like new :lol:

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Man, sorry to hear this is happening. It seems to be a fairly common issue. I was driving a buddy's XJ yesterday and it started doing the EXACT same thing. Hopefully there is just a small adjustment that needs to be made...

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

NJ KJ wrote:

You should look at the TC and check of the electric sending unit is unpluged or damaged... that could do it too.... or if one of the wires got severd or something like that..... i had a friend that happend to. :evil:

... i resolderd teh connection and the TC was like new :lol:

Hmmmm...but isn't the entire linkage between shifting lever and the wheels completely mechanical/manual?.? Our transfer cases don't operate like those "fancy" Ford Explorers...

BTW, please resize the pic in your signature. It's a little big. Thanks!

nickmv · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:04 pm

yeah the t-case is definitely fully mechanical. I can vouch for that by the fact that I've felt the grinding of gears directly through the handle when improperly shifting the 4wd system. Do any of the Jeeps have elec t-cases? Maybe the Quadra-Drive, but I thought we were all mechanical?

NJ KJ · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:05 pm

i thought it was mechanical as well and had nothing to do with the electrical sensor..... but it had similar symtoms and teh check engine light came on.... sure enough that seemed to fix the problem.... im just suggesting its worth looking at...

slikjr · **Posted:** Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:15 pm

Before you go into too much trouble arguing with a dealership (I know how it is), you'd be best off to make sure your "shifting" is correct. First of all, because KJ's use a REAL shift lever to engage the 4x4, it takes time for the front to lock in. I'd say to be safe, at least three full rotations of the tires. Also, if any one of the tires are spinning, it will not engage until they are all turning equally. Dont' get in a situation where you aren't locked in and get stuck. It can be done, but you'll have a b*tch of a time trying to get it in then. As for 4Lo, that is even trickier. Start with above, go from "4 Part-time" to "4Lo". Be rolling about 1 or 2 mph, shift the transmission to "Nuetral" and then firmly and quickly move the transfer case shifter to "4Lo". Then again, give two or three wheel revolutions to be sure you're engaged. Planning ahead is the only way to make sure. Don't be hard on the gas when trying to engage, feather it in and out a bit to let the gears slide in.

The above, as well as frequent use, even if just to turn things a couple times in the t-case will help you out. Hope this helps! Happy wheeling!

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:24 am

His 4wheel hi and lo would work just fine until he broke traction (most of the time), then the front would disengage. Occasionally it would just pop out while crawling at an easy pace through the trail, but for the most part, if the drivetrain had pressure on it, it would stay locked in 4, but as soon as the pressure let up (foot off the gas all the sudden) or he broke traction after being under pressure, then it would pop and the rear would just spin in 2lo. I don't know enough about TCases to diagnose, but those are the circumstances leading to popping out of 4.

slipping out of 4x4

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