I did a real Beavis thing my first time ever trying 4-wheel drive.
Went out on some dirt roads to practice switching in and out of Hi & Lo and was doing so-so until I did something that made me get that sick feeling in my gut.
I was going probably 12-13 mph in 4-Lo, and decided that it worked fine and I should try switching to 4-Hi. The big mistake I made was forgetting to slow down before switching.

So I took a deep breath and pushed the clutch in and pushed down real fast and hard to try to get to 4-Hi, but instead was greeted with a loud thump like someone hitting the bottom of my brand new jeep with a baseball bat. I immediately realized what I did and wanted to throw up, but I didn't want to get the inside dirty, so I didn't.

Anyway I put it back in 4-Lo and then later switched back to 2 wheel drive while going 2-3mph and went home.

Everything still seems to be working, but I can't get the thought out of my head that I may have damaged something like the transfer case, or the manual transmission, or the gears. I was trying to be so careful with my beautiful new Jeep, and I had to go and do something stupid like that. Someone say something to make me feel better.

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2007 Liberty Sport
6-Speed Manual
Stock

The first scratch, dent, or grinding noise is always the worst. You probably didn't hurt anything, just I wouldn't do that again. You must be at 5 mph or slower to get in or out of 4lo and you must put it in neutral, or at least I have to with my 5sp.

stephen

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04 5sp. with mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/798121

Um...Oregon is a pretty state

Welcome to lost ....be nice to your transfercase LOL

Why some people think you should yank on the tcase lever? I have always done the nice and easy approach...dont pull hard...but pull it as quickly as it will easily go. I only use two fingers to move the lever. It engages smoothly everytime.

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It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

I did basically the exact same thing as you did, except I only put it into neutral from 4lo going too fast, not all the way into 4hi. The noise was pretty sickening, followed by a forehead-slapping moment of realization (I knew the 5mph rule before this, just forgot). It functions perfectly though, afterall it's a Jeep, its built tough.

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2006 Sport 4X4, Deep Beryl Green, NSG370, NV241J, Lifted with OME 927/948 and Bilstein, JBA 4.5 UCA's, Custom 3" Rear Y-Link Extension and Swaybar Relocation, 265/75-16 Toyo Open Country AT2 tires, Black Plastidipped bumpers, flares, and doors, Pioneer speakers, Alpine head unit, 1200w Phoenix Gold Amp, 12" Dayton Reference sub.

I've done some of the same...I had it fall out of 4Lo too. Thats scary because if you dont engage it completely it will fall out and make a loud crunching/buzzing sound from the gears grinding. And it doesn't matter if you're in drive because really since the T-case is in Neutral you won't go anywhere. Almost makes you think the tranny dropped...but then you realize that if has fallen out. Of course I was a newb at the time too (still am...) and it scared me.

But yea...it's a Jeep...it can take this stuff. don't worry about damage...a couple times isn't guna hurt it. But DO be careful!!

Go get that thing dirty...

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

Neutral is also as far as I got. Hopefully the memory will disappear after a while and everything will continue to work fine, otherwise I may need to get hypnotized to permanently remove the incident from my brain.

The other problem I had was that the instructions say with a manual transmission to just engage the clutch; it does not mention putting a manual into neutral. But I found out that leaving the manual in gear also results in a thump, so someone suggested I put it in neutral while I have the clutch pressed down which I did the next day and it sounded much better. Not sure why they instructions don't mention this.

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2007 Liberty Sport
6-Speed Manual
Stock

Because the owner's manual say to apply a firm, swift motion, in other words....YANK.

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2006 Sport CRD

Could the Aztecs have known, that in 2012 after a 4 year experiment, our country would cease to exist?

I find it hard to ease the handle into the desired gear so I tend to yank it free and then move it into position...

Welcome to lost though!

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks