question about 4wheel lo / hi

[toklar]

heya..
ive been having some problems with my jeep lately changin it from 4 hi to 4 low..

i put it in neutral..then after i switch iit and put it in to gear either R or drive it starts making this loud churning noise..what is this?

after i went off roading this happened..anyone can help plz?

also can jeep grand cherokes handle off roading or was i wrong to take it?

[surf2]

of coarse it can,why wouldnt it? just remember all jeep models are rubicon trail tested.if it could not make the trail, it would not have the jeep name...all jeeps are trail rated..tell that to all the "s.u.v." makers out there!!!!

[EquityDog]

Perhaps you have a genuine problem, but are you sure the noise is not just the normal mechanical rumble of being in low range. Low range is VERY low and the engine and many other parts are moving fast to move the vehicle even at a slow rate. There is always a certain amount of churning.

With my 4WD vehicles over the years (Jeeps and IH scouts) I've found few conditions that actually call for low range. Climbing over boulders or passing along a stretch that requires very slow speeds and fine steering control are about it. Jeeps originally had an underpowered 4 cyl engine and you might really have needed low range to climb some hills, but that's no longer true. Modern Jeeps are limited by traction and ground clearance, not by power. At least that's my view.

[toklar]

well..i put it in 4 low to make it up a steep hill..then shortly after that i hear this loud churning noise..so i quickly put it in N and switched it back..whats this problem? this is not normal at all..

[MagicRat]

A normal low range makes a whining sound. What is a 'churning sound" Does the jeep still drive normally, or does it vibrate or make a clunking noise as well?

[toklar]

the sound is very loud..has never happened before..
jeep vibrates a little..but this sound seems like the dam engine is goin to blow or something lol..

[EquityDog]

Toklar: If you were trying to go over about 5 mph in low range the engine was probably over-reving. You have a tach, right? What does it show when it sounds like the engine is about to blow?

I'll say it again, there is no hill so steep that it requires low range for a modern Jeep simply because it is steep. The limits are set by traction and by the Jeep tipping over backwards. Low range is for going very slow with power so you can negotiate obstacles such as boulders or narrow ledges.

[toklar]

yea..the hill was really steep and my friend tried to go up it with his jeep but didnt make it so i put it in low..prolly was goin 15 mph in low..maybe i shudnt have but to make it up i had to..didnt wanna get stuck..wasnt paying attention to the revs when it made that noise..i think its ok now i tried it again recently and drove around the block slow and it seems ok now..