98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..

I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
(michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
out of 4Hi.

On the way home, I engaged it again, and disengaged it when I stopped
by a store. I didn't notice any noises at that point, but I DID have
the radio up pretty loud. On the way out of the parking lot, I noticed
a whining noise, which would grow louder and higher-pitched the faster
I went. The shift lever was in 2WD. I pulled over, and shifted it into
4wd, then back down to 2wd, and the problem remained. I didn't want to
go over 25mph or so, hearing the whining sound. The other strange
thing, is that the drivetrain was actually slowing the vehicle,... If I
put it into neutral, or pushed the clutch in, instead of rolling a
little, like normal, .. the jeep would remain stopped. . . When I got
to a red light, going about 5 mph, I took my foot off the gas, shifted
into neutral, and the dang thing came to a stop by itself.

I pulled into a gas-station, ready to crawl underneath and have a look
(and get very wet and cold in the process), when I heard it make a
'clunk' sound as I rolled to a stop. (quieter than earlier that
morning) and lo and behold, it was fine. I didn't dare put it into 4WD,
and was just happy to get it home.

Any ideas what is happening to my transfer case? .. Is it possible for
the t-case shift lever to not quite let it get out of 4wd, but not
quite let it get into 2wd?

I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
magically makes the wheels turn...

Thanks anyone who cares to reply!

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

"Dave" <dmcglynn@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165543294.028593.291300@j44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
>
> I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> out of 4Hi.
>

Sometimes the T-case will get a little torque bind in it, and cause it to
stick in 4wd a few seconds before releasing. Letting up on the throttle or
disengaging the clutch usually helps. Since you haven't used 4wd in a while
I would guess the T case may have been a little sticky as well.

Where in michigan do you live? Here in detroit there wasn't enough snow to
use 4wd today....did you use it on simply wet pavement at any time?


> I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> magically makes the wheels turn...
>

Lesson #1: DO NOT use 4wd on hard, high-traction surfaces. Loose dirt,
slippery snow, mud, etc. is what it is for. In 4wd the tires need to be able
to slip to prevent driveline binding and eventual spectacular damage. Not
even wet pavement.

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

"Dave" <dmcglynn@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165543294.028593.291300@j44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
>
> I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> out of 4Hi.
>

Sometimes the T-case will get a little torque bind in it, and cause it to
stick in 4wd a few seconds before releasing. Letting up on the throttle or
disengaging the clutch usually helps. Since you haven't used 4wd in a while
I would guess the T case may have been a little sticky as well.

Where in michigan do you live? Here in detroit there wasn't enough snow to
use 4wd today....did you use it on simply wet pavement at any time?


> I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> magically makes the wheels turn...
>

Lesson #1: DO NOT use 4wd on hard, high-traction surfaces. Loose dirt,
slippery snow, mud, etc. is what it is for. In 4wd the tires need to be able
to slip to prevent driveline binding and eventual spectacular damage. Not
even wet pavement.

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

"Dave" <dmcglynn@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165543294.028593.291300@j44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
>
> I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> out of 4Hi.
>

Sometimes the T-case will get a little torque bind in it, and cause it to
stick in 4wd a few seconds before releasing. Letting up on the throttle or
disengaging the clutch usually helps. Since you haven't used 4wd in a while
I would guess the T case may have been a little sticky as well.

Where in michigan do you live? Here in detroit there wasn't enough snow to
use 4wd today....did you use it on simply wet pavement at any time?


> I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> magically makes the wheels turn...
>

Lesson #1: DO NOT use 4wd on hard, high-traction surfaces. Loose dirt,
slippery snow, mud, etc. is what it is for. In 4wd the tires need to be able
to slip to prevent driveline binding and eventual spectacular damage. Not
even wet pavement.

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

You have a physical linkage that runs from the body side to the t-case
side. This can go out of adjustment and cause hangs like you are
describing. I would be first looking at the engine and tranny mounts
close expecting to see a bad one before I adjusted the linkage, but the
linkage is an easy adjust if needed.

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)


Dave wrote:
>
> I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
>
> I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> out of 4Hi.
>
> On the way home, I engaged it again, and disengaged it when I stopped
> by a store. I didn't notice any noises at that point, but I DID have
> the radio up pretty loud. On the way out of the parking lot, I noticed
> a whining noise, which would grow louder and higher-pitched the faster
> I went. The shift lever was in 2WD. I pulled over, and shifted it into
> 4wd, then back down to 2wd, and the problem remained. I didn't want to
> go over 25mph or so, hearing the whining sound. The other strange
> thing, is that the drivetrain was actually slowing the vehicle,... If I
> put it into neutral, or pushed the clutch in, instead of rolling a
> little, like normal, .. the jeep would remain stopped. . . When I got
> to a red light, going about 5 mph, I took my foot off the gas, shifted
> into neutral, and the dang thing came to a stop by itself.
>
> I pulled into a gas-station, ready to crawl underneath and have a look
> (and get very wet and cold in the process), when I heard it make a
> 'clunk' sound as I rolled to a stop. (quieter than earlier that
> morning) and lo and behold, it was fine. I didn't dare put it into 4WD,
> and was just happy to get it home.
>
> Any ideas what is happening to my transfer case? .. Is it possible for
> the t-case shift lever to not quite let it get out of 4wd, but not
> quite let it get into 2wd?
>
> I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> magically makes the wheels turn...
>
> Thanks anyone who cares to reply!

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

You have a physical linkage that runs from the body side to the t-case
side. This can go out of adjustment and cause hangs like you are
describing. I would be first looking at the engine and tranny mounts
close expecting to see a bad one before I adjusted the linkage, but the
linkage is an easy adjust if needed.

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)


Dave wrote:
>
> I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
>
> I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> out of 4Hi.
>
> On the way home, I engaged it again, and disengaged it when I stopped
> by a store. I didn't notice any noises at that point, but I DID have
> the radio up pretty loud. On the way out of the parking lot, I noticed
> a whining noise, which would grow louder and higher-pitched the faster
> I went. The shift lever was in 2WD. I pulled over, and shifted it into
> 4wd, then back down to 2wd, and the problem remained. I didn't want to
> go over 25mph or so, hearing the whining sound. The other strange
> thing, is that the drivetrain was actually slowing the vehicle,... If I
> put it into neutral, or pushed the clutch in, instead of rolling a
> little, like normal, .. the jeep would remain stopped. . . When I got
> to a red light, going about 5 mph, I took my foot off the gas, shifted
> into neutral, and the dang thing came to a stop by itself.
>
> I pulled into a gas-station, ready to crawl underneath and have a look
> (and get very wet and cold in the process), when I heard it make a
> 'clunk' sound as I rolled to a stop. (quieter than earlier that
> morning) and lo and behold, it was fine. I didn't dare put it into 4WD,
> and was just happy to get it home.
>
> Any ideas what is happening to my transfer case? .. Is it possible for
> the t-case shift lever to not quite let it get out of 4wd, but not
> quite let it get into 2wd?
>
> I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> magically makes the wheels turn...
>
> Thanks anyone who cares to reply!

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

You have a physical linkage that runs from the body side to the t-case
side. This can go out of adjustment and cause hangs like you are
describing. I would be first looking at the engine and tranny mounts
close expecting to see a bad one before I adjusted the linkage, but the
linkage is an easy adjust if needed.

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)


Dave wrote:
>
> I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
>
> I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> out of 4Hi.
>
> On the way home, I engaged it again, and disengaged it when I stopped
> by a store. I didn't notice any noises at that point, but I DID have
> the radio up pretty loud. On the way out of the parking lot, I noticed
> a whining noise, which would grow louder and higher-pitched the faster
> I went. The shift lever was in 2WD. I pulled over, and shifted it into
> 4wd, then back down to 2wd, and the problem remained. I didn't want to
> go over 25mph or so, hearing the whining sound. The other strange
> thing, is that the drivetrain was actually slowing the vehicle,... If I
> put it into neutral, or pushed the clutch in, instead of rolling a
> little, like normal, .. the jeep would remain stopped. . . When I got
> to a red light, going about 5 mph, I took my foot off the gas, shifted
> into neutral, and the dang thing came to a stop by itself.
>
> I pulled into a gas-station, ready to crawl underneath and have a look
> (and get very wet and cold in the process), when I heard it make a
> 'clunk' sound as I rolled to a stop. (quieter than earlier that
> morning) and lo and behold, it was fine. I didn't dare put it into 4WD,
> and was just happy to get it home.
>
> Any ideas what is happening to my transfer case? .. Is it possible for
> the t-case shift lever to not quite let it get out of 4wd, but not
> quite let it get into 2wd?
>
> I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> magically makes the wheels turn...
>
> Thanks anyone who cares to reply!

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> "Dave" <dmcglynn@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165543294.028593.291300@j44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> >I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> > tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> > see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
> >
> > I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> > (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> > worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> > 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> > out of 4Hi.
> >
>
> Sometimes the T-case will get a little torque bind in it, and cause it to
> stick in 4wd a few seconds before releasing. Letting up on the throttle or
> disengaging the clutch usually helps. Since you haven't used 4wd in a while
> I would guess the T case may have been a little sticky as well.
>
> Where in michigan do you live? Here in detroit there wasn't enough snow to
> use 4wd today....did you use it on simply wet pavement at any time?
>
>
> > I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> > read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> > magically makes the wheels turn...
> >
>
> Lesson #1: DO NOT use 4wd on hard, high-traction surfaces. Loose dirt,
> slippery snow, mud, etc. is what it is for. In 4wd the tires need to be able
> to slip to prevent driveline binding and eventual spectacular damage. Not
> even wet pavement.

I DID know this one. . The roads were 4wd-able this morning on all the
sideroads near Clarkston, which is where I was.. plows hadn't made
their way to the roads I was on.

I do know exactly what you mean by letting off the throttle, and how
you can feel the 4WD disengage.. But this last trip home was nothing
like that , the whine seriously sounded like it would damage something
if I didn't do something about it..

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> "Dave" <dmcglynn@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165543294.028593.291300@j44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> >I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> > tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> > see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
> >
> > I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> > (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> > worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> > 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> > out of 4Hi.
> >
>
> Sometimes the T-case will get a little torque bind in it, and cause it to
> stick in 4wd a few seconds before releasing. Letting up on the throttle or
> disengaging the clutch usually helps. Since you haven't used 4wd in a while
> I would guess the T case may have been a little sticky as well.
>
> Where in michigan do you live? Here in detroit there wasn't enough snow to
> use 4wd today....did you use it on simply wet pavement at any time?
>
>
> > I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> > read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> > magically makes the wheels turn...
> >
>
> Lesson #1: DO NOT use 4wd on hard, high-traction surfaces. Loose dirt,
> slippery snow, mud, etc. is what it is for. In 4wd the tires need to be able
> to slip to prevent driveline binding and eventual spectacular damage. Not
> even wet pavement.

I DID know this one. . The roads were 4wd-able this morning on all the
sideroads near Clarkston, which is where I was.. plows hadn't made
their way to the roads I was on.

I do know exactly what you mean by letting off the throttle, and how
you can feel the 4WD disengage.. But this last trip home was nothing
like that , the whine seriously sounded like it would damage something
if I didn't do something about it..

Re: 98 TJ Drivetrain Problem?
 

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
> "Dave" <dmcglynn@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1165543294.028593.291300@j44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> >I searched around on google-groups for anything like what I encountered
> > tonight, but didn't find anything, so I thought I'd post my story and
> > see if anyone can tell me what my problem might be..
> >
> > I've got a 98 TJ, with 66000 miles on it, and engaged 4WD today
> > (michigan snowy morning) for the first time in quite some time.. it
> > worked fine, except for the fact that, it made a loud CLUNK sound about
> > 3 seconds after I shifted it back into 2WD.. like it couldn't get it
> > out of 4Hi.
> >
>
> Sometimes the T-case will get a little torque bind in it, and cause it to
> stick in 4wd a few seconds before releasing. Letting up on the throttle or
> disengaging the clutch usually helps. Since you haven't used 4wd in a while
> I would guess the T case may have been a little sticky as well.
>
> Where in michigan do you live? Here in detroit there wasn't enough snow to
> use 4wd today....did you use it on simply wet pavement at any time?
>
>
> > I know absolutely nothing about transfer-cases, and my next stop is to
> > read up about them.. Until now, I've just known it as a black-box that
> > magically makes the wheels turn...
> >
>
> Lesson #1: DO NOT use 4wd on hard, high-traction surfaces. Loose dirt,
> slippery snow, mud, etc. is what it is for. In 4wd the tires need to be able
> to slip to prevent driveline binding and eventual spectacular damage. Not
> even wet pavement.

I DID know this one. . The roads were 4wd-able this morning on all the
sideroads near Clarkston, which is where I was.. plows hadn't made
their way to the roads I was on.

I do know exactly what you mean by letting off the throttle, and how
you can feel the 4WD disengage.. But this last trip home was nothing
like that , the whine seriously sounded like it would damage something
if I didn't do something about it..