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Expert: - 1/6/2005


Question
Hi Carl,

I bought a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport a couple of years ago and I used the 4-wheel drive during the winter months.  Never had any problems. However I moved to San Diego 1 1/2 years ago and I hadn't used the 4 wheel drive at all since moving.  I tried it today because someone told me you should put it in 4-wheel gear every few months.  Anyway when I put it in gear today and the front end (I'm guessing the transfer case) was very loud... louder than it should be.  This freaked me out so I tried to put it back into 2 wheel.  It went back into 2 wheel but it took longer than usual.  Could this loud noise be normal since the front transfer case hadn't been in gear in almost 1 1/2 years?  Any suggestions?  It was only in 4 wheel for about 100 feet going 15 mph.  

Thanks,

Mike  

Answer
Mike,

Actually, the transfer case operates the rear end also.  I'm not sure which transfer case you have, but there were 2 different cases, depending on the motor you have.  If you are operating it on pavement, or hard dirt, and put it into full-time 4-wheel drive, you should not have any problems.  If you put it into part time 4-wheel drive, or low range on a hard surface, you can put the transfer case into a bind, causing some problems.  You don't have to drive very far in 4-wheel drive on a hard surface before things try to break.  Full time 4-wheel drive is a different story, as it is designed to be used on pavement.  

If you haven't put it into any 4-wheel drive position in a 1 1/2 years, your front differential may be partially froze up.  I would take the Jeep to a reputable mechanic, and have all the fluids (transmission, transfer case, and differentials) checked, and/or changed.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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