4x4 not engaging
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4x4 not engaging
- Thread starter justang1999
- Start date Start date:
- Last post Last post:
Old Dog
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IMO there is nothing else that could be wrong.
It has to be either the Transfer Case or the hubs not engaging.
How are you determining that the t/c and hubs are good.
It has to be either the Transfer Case or the hubs not engaging.
How are you determining that the t/c and hubs are good.
BusaDave9
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Put the Transfer Case in neutral or 2WD. Lock the hubs. Chock the wheels. Crawl under the jeep and try to turn the front driveshaft. If you can turn it then your hubs are not locking.
If you verify that the hubs are locked then I think it's the shifting mechanism. I assume you have 2 levers for your Transfer Case . Keep the rear in neautral and try to put the front in gear. Try high and low. Is there something, such as a boot that is restricting the shift lever from moving far enough?
If you verify that the hubs are locked then I think it's the shifting mechanism. I assume you have 2 levers for your Transfer Case . Keep the rear in neautral and try to put the front in gear. Try high and low. Is there something, such as a boot that is restricting the shift lever from moving far enough?
Peanut Butter
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Also I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, White, all stock with 4.0L. automatic, and police package. Best part of that is it came with leather seats! This package also has the NP242 Transfer Case, 8.25 rear end, and trailer towing package.
Also please take a minute to fill in your profile so that we know for sure wyat jeep, engine, Transmission , Transfer Case , etc that you have on your rig. This information will show up on the left under your name. Thanks, Rod 
justang1999
Jeeper
front drive shaft turns when shifted in 4x4 (high and low), ring and pinion spin as they should with no broken teeth, i took hubs apart and made sure they were actually locking in and out.
after placing the jeep on stands in the garage with all 4 tires off the ground and with the diff cover off i can see the ring and pinion spin but the tires are not spinning, but when i manually spin the tires the spider gears turn so i know the hubs are locked in.
the jeep is a '65 willy's inline 4 cylinder with the dual 4x4 shifter
after placing the jeep on stands in the garage with all 4 tires off the ground and with the diff cover off i can see the ring and pinion spin but the tires are not spinning, but when i manually spin the tires the spider gears turn so i know the hubs are locked in.
the jeep is a '65 willy's inline 4 cylinder with the dual 4x4 shifter
Old Dog
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Are the axles spinning when you do this.
justang1999
Jeeper
they do spin, but you can stop the axles from spinning just by holding them with 2 fingers.
i had the hubs completely off, my brother holding the driver side axle shaft and my dad holding the other shaft with the jeep in gear turning both drive shafts.
this is confusing
i had the hubs completely off, my brother holding the driver side axle shaft and my dad holding the other shaft with the jeep in gear turning both drive shafts.
this is confusing
Old Dog
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Ok let me see if I got this right.
You can turn the front driveshaft by hand and the ring gear, and axles turn
but you can grab the axles by hand and stop them from turning, but the ring gear keeps turning.
does that sound right?
You can turn the front driveshaft by hand and the ring gear, and axles turn
but you can grab the axles by hand and stop them from turning, but the ring gear keeps turning.
does that sound right?
justang1999
Jeeper
correct, turning the drive shaft by hand and while its actually running=samething
BusaDave9
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Okay, so the Transfer Case can rotate the differential. The problem is in the axle. That sounds just like your problem is the hubs UNTIL you talk about turning the tire causing the spider gears to turn. That's confusing but I still think it's a bad hub. It only takes one. Did you try turning each tire?
With the enclosed steering knuckles it's hard to tell when the axle shafts are turning.
Old Dog
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All I got is 
If it were me I'd pull the axles and carrier, seems it has to either be spider gears, or striped splines on the axles but for both sides to be bad sounds like a long shot.
Hopefully someone else has a better answer for ya.
If it were me I'd pull the axles and carrier, seems it has to either be spider gears, or striped splines on the axles but for both sides to be bad sounds like a long shot.
Hopefully someone else has a better answer for ya.
BusaDave9
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With the jeep in gear and 4WD and hubs locked. Make sure one tire is on the ground (or have someone hold it). Rotate one tire. Does the differential turn? Have someone verify that the front driveshaft is not turning. Then try the other tire
Last edited:
justang1999
Jeeper
so this is what i done. i took the hubs off again, i engaged them while they were off the jeep and bolted them back on. now, i've got both front tires spinning
.
i dropped it off the stands to make sure it was still in 4x4, it is thank god. the only thing i can figure is the hubs must be worn a little and were not locking in 100% idk. i guess it'll need new hubs
:ty: for all the help
.i dropped it off the stands to make sure it was still in 4x4, it is thank god. the only thing i can figure is the hubs must be worn a little and were not locking in 100% idk. i guess it'll need new hubs
:ty: for all the help
Old Dog
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- 83 CJ7 350 tbi, TH350, D300 twin sticked & clocked, narrowed Chief D44 Eaton Elocker & Moser shafts, Explorer 8.8 Detroit locker, 410's, RE 4.5" spring lift 1" body lift, 35" Claws, cage tied to frame, Corbeau baja seats, HD tie rod and draglink, u-bolts flipped, custom skid plate and sliders, Warn 9.5ti winch with Amsteel synthetic line
Good to hear you figured it out.
I still don't understand how you could hold both front axles from turning while you turned the driveshaft.
I still don't understand how you could hold both front axles from turning while you turned the driveshaft.