Earle Horton

I am assuming that you have a "Cherokee" as known in the United States, with
SelecTrac, one of the available full time four wheel drive systems. In 4H,
you should have a selection of "full time" and "part time". You should be
using the "full time" option on pavement and especially when parking and
taking sharp corners. The "part time" option is only for very slippery
surfaces, such as pavement covered by snow and ice, gravel, or mud.
Usually, the shifter position you want for normal paved road operation is
all the way to the front.

Earle

"Vito" <vito@crosslink.net> wrote in message
news:43c7b793$0$7299@dingus.crosslink.net...
> The OPs address going from 2w to 4wd and back. My new-to-me 94 Cherokee
has
> only 4H-N-4L positions. This is my first 4WD of that type. When making
sharper
> corners, like when parking, it "crabs" like my previous 4WD vehicles would
do if
> I had forgotten to take them out of 4WD. This can't be too good for the
> U-joints or other componants. Is this normal or do I need to fix
something and
> if the latter, what?? TIA, Vito.
>
>

Earle Horton

I am assuming that you have a "Cherokee" as known in the United States, with
SelecTrac, one of the available full time four wheel drive systems. In 4H,
you should have a selection of "full time" and "part time". You should be
using the "full time" option on pavement and especially when parking and
taking sharp corners. The "part time" option is only for very slippery
surfaces, such as pavement covered by snow and ice, gravel, or mud.
Usually, the shifter position you want for normal paved road operation is
all the way to the front.

Earle

"Vito" <vito@crosslink.net> wrote in message
news:43c7b793$0$7299@dingus.crosslink.net...
> The OPs address going from 2w to 4wd and back. My new-to-me 94 Cherokee
has
> only 4H-N-4L positions. This is my first 4WD of that type. When making
sharper
> corners, like when parking, it "crabs" like my previous 4WD vehicles would
do if
> I had forgotten to take them out of 4WD. This can't be too good for the
> U-joints or other componants. Is this normal or do I need to fix
something and
> if the latter, what?? TIA, Vito.
>
>

Earle Horton

I am assuming that you have a "Cherokee" as known in the United States, with
SelecTrac, one of the available full time four wheel drive systems. In 4H,
you should have a selection of "full time" and "part time". You should be
using the "full time" option on pavement and especially when parking and
taking sharp corners. The "part time" option is only for very slippery
surfaces, such as pavement covered by snow and ice, gravel, or mud.
Usually, the shifter position you want for normal paved road operation is
all the way to the front.

Earle

"Vito" <vito@crosslink.net> wrote in message
news:43c7b793$0$7299@dingus.crosslink.net...
> The OPs address going from 2w to 4wd and back. My new-to-me 94 Cherokee
has
> only 4H-N-4L positions. This is my first 4WD of that type. When making
sharper
> corners, like when parking, it "crabs" like my previous 4WD vehicles would
do if
> I had forgotten to take them out of 4WD. This can't be too good for the
> U-joints or other componants. Is this normal or do I need to fix
something and
> if the latter, what?? TIA, Vito.
>
>

Earle Horton

My favorite theory is that the auto transmission, on some of these vehicles,
does not fully release in neutral, leading to the situation you describe. I
assume that this can be fixed, but at great expense. It won't hurt to have
an automatic transmission specialist look at the vehicle and at least
service the transmission though. Who knows the last time the fluid was
changed?

Earle
Saludos de Espaņa

"Madonna" <madonna.at@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:l8Lxf.123$e8.575@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> Gentlemen,
>
> What an interesting exchange. I have a 94 Cherokee, LTD SE 4.0 Auto, which
I
> recently bought. Same problem with shifting in and out of 4 wheel
part-time
> and 4 wheel full time. Often sticks in 4W part time. Only way to get out
to
> 2W is either stoop and reverse a little or wait ages.
>
> Always seem worse when everything is cold.
>
> Anyway, greetings from England/
> .
>
> Keith
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:k_KdndzdaoA8OF7eRVn-gw@comcast.com...
> > The '97 Cherokee does not have the front axle disconnect. They did away
> with
> > that in '92 or 93 in the Cherokee. It remained in the YJ Wrangler until
> > 1995.
> >
> > "Walt & Lynda Johnson" <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote in message
> > news:3qKdnX5qVfl5gl7eRVn-qA@usadatanet.net...
> > > I've had exactly the same problem with my 1986 Cherokee. What is
> > > happening is that the vacuum motor on the axle isn't disengaging
> > > the axles from the differential. Simply replace the vacuum motor
> > > with a new one and the problem will go away.
> > >
> > > On the Cherokee, instead of freewheeling hubs, the right hand side
> > > axle is split with two splined sections. Normal 2WD operation the
> > > spline joiner is slid on to one axle section. The spider gears
> > > in the differential rotate in opposite directions and the
> > > differential center section is stationary. When placed in 4WD, the
> > > spline joiner slides to connect the two splined axle sections thereby
> > > locking up the axle. There are three hoses, one to engage the
> > > axle via the vacuum motor, the second to disengage the axle via the
> > > vacuum motor, and the third to send the "I'm locked up" message
> > > to the light on the dashboard.
> > >
> > > Walt Johnson.
> > >
> > > <phillip_putzback@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> > > news:1136815927.249344.47240@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> > >> I have the 4 low - 2 high and 4 high options for the transfer case.
My
> > >> neighborhood isn't plowed normally so soem morning I have to start
out
> > >> in 4 high until I hit the main street. Then it might take 10-15
minutes
> > >> to diesngage and lately when it finally disengages there is a massive
> > >> pop when it disengages. I have tried going into reverse a few feet
and
> > >> then driving off but that doesn't seem to work.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Earle Horton

My favorite theory is that the auto transmission, on some of these vehicles,
does not fully release in neutral, leading to the situation you describe. I
assume that this can be fixed, but at great expense. It won't hurt to have
an automatic transmission specialist look at the vehicle and at least
service the transmission though. Who knows the last time the fluid was
changed?

Earle
Saludos de Espaņa

"Madonna" <madonna.at@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:l8Lxf.123$e8.575@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> Gentlemen,
>
> What an interesting exchange. I have a 94 Cherokee, LTD SE 4.0 Auto, which
I
> recently bought. Same problem with shifting in and out of 4 wheel
part-time
> and 4 wheel full time. Often sticks in 4W part time. Only way to get out
to
> 2W is either stoop and reverse a little or wait ages.
>
> Always seem worse when everything is cold.
>
> Anyway, greetings from England/
> .
>
> Keith
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:k_KdndzdaoA8OF7eRVn-gw@comcast.com...
> > The '97 Cherokee does not have the front axle disconnect. They did away
> with
> > that in '92 or 93 in the Cherokee. It remained in the YJ Wrangler until
> > 1995.
> >
> > "Walt & Lynda Johnson" <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote in message
> > news:3qKdnX5qVfl5gl7eRVn-qA@usadatanet.net...
> > > I've had exactly the same problem with my 1986 Cherokee. What is
> > > happening is that the vacuum motor on the axle isn't disengaging
> > > the axles from the differential. Simply replace the vacuum motor
> > > with a new one and the problem will go away.
> > >
> > > On the Cherokee, instead of freewheeling hubs, the right hand side
> > > axle is split with two splined sections. Normal 2WD operation the
> > > spline joiner is slid on to one axle section. The spider gears
> > > in the differential rotate in opposite directions and the
> > > differential center section is stationary. When placed in 4WD, the
> > > spline joiner slides to connect the two splined axle sections thereby
> > > locking up the axle. There are three hoses, one to engage the
> > > axle via the vacuum motor, the second to disengage the axle via the
> > > vacuum motor, and the third to send the "I'm locked up" message
> > > to the light on the dashboard.
> > >
> > > Walt Johnson.
> > >
> > > <phillip_putzback@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> > > news:1136815927.249344.47240@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> > >> I have the 4 low - 2 high and 4 high options for the transfer case.
My
> > >> neighborhood isn't plowed normally so soem morning I have to start
out
> > >> in 4 high until I hit the main street. Then it might take 10-15
minutes
> > >> to diesngage and lately when it finally disengages there is a massive
> > >> pop when it disengages. I have tried going into reverse a few feet
and
> > >> then driving off but that doesn't seem to work.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Earle Horton

My favorite theory is that the auto transmission, on some of these vehicles,
does not fully release in neutral, leading to the situation you describe. I
assume that this can be fixed, but at great expense. It won't hurt to have
an automatic transmission specialist look at the vehicle and at least
service the transmission though. Who knows the last time the fluid was
changed?

Earle
Saludos de Espaņa

"Madonna" <madonna.at@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:l8Lxf.123$e8.575@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> Gentlemen,
>
> What an interesting exchange. I have a 94 Cherokee, LTD SE 4.0 Auto, which
I
> recently bought. Same problem with shifting in and out of 4 wheel
part-time
> and 4 wheel full time. Often sticks in 4W part time. Only way to get out
to
> 2W is either stoop and reverse a little or wait ages.
>
> Always seem worse when everything is cold.
>
> Anyway, greetings from England/
> .
>
> Keith
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:k_KdndzdaoA8OF7eRVn-gw@comcast.com...
> > The '97 Cherokee does not have the front axle disconnect. They did away
> with
> > that in '92 or 93 in the Cherokee. It remained in the YJ Wrangler until
> > 1995.
> >
> > "Walt & Lynda Johnson" <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote in message
> > news:3qKdnX5qVfl5gl7eRVn-qA@usadatanet.net...
> > > I've had exactly the same problem with my 1986 Cherokee. What is
> > > happening is that the vacuum motor on the axle isn't disengaging
> > > the axles from the differential. Simply replace the vacuum motor
> > > with a new one and the problem will go away.
> > >
> > > On the Cherokee, instead of freewheeling hubs, the right hand side
> > > axle is split with two splined sections. Normal 2WD operation the
> > > spline joiner is slid on to one axle section. The spider gears
> > > in the differential rotate in opposite directions and the
> > > differential center section is stationary. When placed in 4WD, the
> > > spline joiner slides to connect the two splined axle sections thereby
> > > locking up the axle. There are three hoses, one to engage the
> > > axle via the vacuum motor, the second to disengage the axle via the
> > > vacuum motor, and the third to send the "I'm locked up" message
> > > to the light on the dashboard.
> > >
> > > Walt Johnson.
> > >
> > > <phillip_putzback@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> > > news:1136815927.249344.47240@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> > >> I have the 4 low - 2 high and 4 high options for the transfer case.
My
> > >> neighborhood isn't plowed normally so soem morning I have to start
out
> > >> in 4 high until I hit the main street. Then it might take 10-15
minutes
> > >> to diesngage and lately when it finally disengages there is a massive
> > >> pop when it disengages. I have tried going into reverse a few feet
and
> > >> then driving off but that doesn't seem to work.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Mike Romain

You have the part time system that 'will' break parts and/or actually
explode the transfer case into pieces if you try to use it on dry
pavement.

Here in Canada, the passenger side sun visor has the directions on it.

If it crabs when in 2 wheel drive, I would be inspecting the axle end
u-joints for a bad one.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Vito wrote:
>
> The OPs address going from 2w to 4wd and back. My new-to-me 94 Cherokee has
> only 4H-N-4L positions. This is my first 4WD of that type. When making sharper
> corners, like when parking, it "crabs" like my previous 4WD vehicles would do if
> I had forgotten to take them out of 4WD. This can't be too good for the
> U-joints or other componants. Is this normal or do I need to fix something and
> if the latter, what?? TIA, Vito.

Mike Romain

You have the part time system that 'will' break parts and/or actually
explode the transfer case into pieces if you try to use it on dry
pavement.

Here in Canada, the passenger side sun visor has the directions on it.

If it crabs when in 2 wheel drive, I would be inspecting the axle end
u-joints for a bad one.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Vito wrote:
>
> The OPs address going from 2w to 4wd and back. My new-to-me 94 Cherokee has
> only 4H-N-4L positions. This is my first 4WD of that type. When making sharper
> corners, like when parking, it "crabs" like my previous 4WD vehicles would do if
> I had forgotten to take them out of 4WD. This can't be too good for the
> U-joints or other componants. Is this normal or do I need to fix something and
> if the latter, what?? TIA, Vito.

Mike Romain

You have the part time system that 'will' break parts and/or actually
explode the transfer case into pieces if you try to use it on dry
pavement.

Here in Canada, the passenger side sun visor has the directions on it.

If it crabs when in 2 wheel drive, I would be inspecting the axle end
u-joints for a bad one.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Vito wrote:
>
> The OPs address going from 2w to 4wd and back. My new-to-me 94 Cherokee has
> only 4H-N-4L positions. This is my first 4WD of that type. When making sharper
> corners, like when parking, it "crabs" like my previous 4WD vehicles would do if
> I had forgotten to take them out of 4WD. This can't be too good for the
> U-joints or other componants. Is this normal or do I need to fix something and
> if the latter, what?? TIA, Vito.

Mike Romain

If you use the part time 4x4 on anything except dirt or snow, the
drivetrain will bind up. This will hold it in 4x4 until you reverse or
spin the tires or until it explodes something. I got stuck in 4x4
recently with no way to get off the highway for a few miles and was
lucky, I only exploded a front driveshaft u-joint. My old tenant did
the same and exploded his transfer case into little pieces.

I find with my high traction tires, I can even get bound up on dirt and
need to spin my tires in reverse to let it loose.

What happens is the front wheels take longer to go around a corner that
the rear wheels so a tire 'must' scuff the ground because the front and
rear driveshafts are locked together. If the tire can't scuff,
something breaks.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Madonna wrote:
>
> Gentlemen,
>
> What an interesting exchange. I have a 94 Cherokee, LTD SE 4.0 Auto, which I
> recently bought. Same problem with shifting in and out of 4 wheel part-time
> and 4 wheel full time. Often sticks in 4W part time. Only way to get out to
> 2W is either stoop and reverse a little or wait ages.
>
> Always seem worse when everything is cold.
>
> Anyway, greetings from England/
> .
>
> Keith
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:k_KdndzdaoA8OF7eRVn-gw@comcast.com...
> > The '97 Cherokee does not have the front axle disconnect. They did away
> with
> > that in '92 or 93 in the Cherokee. It remained in the YJ Wrangler until
> > 1995.
> >
> > "Walt & Lynda Johnson" <waterbirds@usadatanet.net> wrote in message
> > news:3qKdnX5qVfl5gl7eRVn-qA@usadatanet.net...
> > > I've had exactly the same problem with my 1986 Cherokee. What is
> > > happening is that the vacuum motor on the axle isn't disengaging
> > > the axles from the differential. Simply replace the vacuum motor
> > > with a new one and the problem will go away.
> > >
> > > On the Cherokee, instead of freewheeling hubs, the right hand side
> > > axle is split with two splined sections. Normal 2WD operation the
> > > spline joiner is slid on to one axle section. The spider gears
> > > in the differential rotate in opposite directions and the
> > > differential center section is stationary. When placed in 4WD, the
> > > spline joiner slides to connect the two splined axle sections thereby
> > > locking up the axle. There are three hoses, one to engage the
> > > axle via the vacuum motor, the second to disengage the axle via the
> > > vacuum motor, and the third to send the "I'm locked up" message
> > > to the light on the dashboard.
> > >
> > > Walt Johnson.
> > >
> > > <phillip_putzback@insightbb.com> wrote in message
> > > news:1136815927.249344.47240@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> > >> I have the 4 low - 2 high and 4 high options for the transfer case. My
> > >> neighborhood isn't plowed normally so soem morning I have to start out
> > >> in 4 high until I hit the main street. Then it might take 10-15 minutes
> > >> to diesngage and lately when it finally disengages there is a massive
> > >> pop when it disengages. I have tried going into reverse a few feet and
> > >> then driving off but that doesn't seem to work.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >