98 Laredo 4WD Issues

[sreilly77]

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, I6, Selec-Trac 4WD. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it doesn't. What happens is when you shift it into 4WD while moving it goes in no problem. Shifting out has been a huge issue with this Jeep. When moving, like the manual says, I shift the Jeep back into 2WD. Sometimes, it vibrates violently and I can't seem to get it out of 4WD. There's times that I have to keep shifting between reverse and drive when not moving to get it to shift out or I have to try and do a brake stand so it will pop out of 4WD. I've tried shifting back into PART TIME or FULL TIME 4WD drive when it starts to vibrate and that just makes the vibration worse.

There is plenty of fluid in the transfer case and it is clean and I have changed the gear oil in both the front and rear differentials. I have even tightened the linkage on the shifter and still no effect. However, there are seldom times when you shift into any 4WD that it will shift right in and when you shift out, it shifts right out. I don't know what else to do and any help would be great. Thank you.

[dksob81]

could just be normal torque lock. When you have this problem shift into 2wd then place the transmission in reverse, this will usually help it pop out.

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by dksob81

could just be normal torque lock. When you have this problem shift into 2wd then place the transmission in reverse, this will usually help it pop out.

I'll look into it. The woman who owned this Jeep before I did rarely used the 4WD. We are expecting some snow this week and I wanted to test it to see if it works. Like I said sometimes it works great, and sometimes it gives me the issues I stated in my first post. I'll try doing that see what happens. Thanks.

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by sreilly77

I'll look into it. The woman who owned this Jeep before I did rarely used the 4WD. We are expecting some snow this week and I wanted to test it to see if it works. Like I said sometimes it works great, and sometimes it gives me the issues I stated in my first post. I'll try doing that see what happens. Thanks.

Well trying to shift into reverse doesn't get it out of 4WD. I have to put it in 2WD, put it in reverse, and then drive in reverse for like 20 or 30 feet. then it pops out. However, the vibration is getting worse. The fast you go, the vibration gets worse (and I haven't taken the Jeep past 25mph). I can't figure it out and I don't want to drop it off at a transmission shop if I can do the job myself. Obviously something is not right. Any ideas would be great.