Shifting Problems 4wd

[bman68]

I have 89 cherokee I recently bought 2 used tires for it when I put the tires on it was in 4wd full time had them rotate the rear to the front. I drove it around for a couple of days like this and it was fine I went to take it out of 4wd and it wouldnt dis engage from part time 4wd the part time light stays on and now its chunking when I turn corners cause part time is still engaged. When I was taking out of full time the left rear drum was dragging man did that smell. So I took it to my mechanic to look at he told me my brakes were shot and that the tires I put on the rear were wrong for the 4wd system and thats why I couldnt get it out of 4wd. The tires are all the same size just two different brands is it as simple as tires or is there bigger and sadder problem here and will fixing the brakes get the 4wd system working properly again

[dave92cherokee]

Brakes shouldn't cause a problem with the 4wd as that is all controlled in the transfer case and nowhere else, same goes for tires. Try starting it and putting the tranny in neutral and then try shifting between the gears for 4wd such as hi to low or neutral and see if they can shift that way. If it won't shift anywhere then it's looking like a problem with the transfer case.

[fredjacksonsan]

First and most important: Stop driving around in part time before you grenade something.

As far as the disengagement, if the tires are different sizes (and yes, different manufacturers' tires are slightly different, even if the same size...so I always recommend replacing them all at the same time) then you could have some binding in the transfer case that would keep it locked. You could try jacking up the Jeep by the axles, which should relieve the binding and let you get it out of 4wd.

Dave's point about it possibly being a Tcase issue is quite valid; if the fluid has never been changed and it's high mileage (likely in an 80's model) then there could be a mechanical issue.

Try the solutions listed above, change the fluid and let us know how it comes out.

[bman68]

Thanks for the info guy's it turned out to be the tires when I went to see how long it would take to do my brakes the mechanic showed me the difference in the size of the tires same amount of tread left but the set I just put on was 1" taller than my old ones wow didnt think that made that much of a diff but he did get it out of 4wd told me to go but another set thats the same brand

[fredjacksonsan]

Right on; glad you got it taken care of before a serious problem surfaced - now you're just out 2 new tires instead of driveline components....