shifting OUT of 4wd?

[srimes]

I was checking out the shift-on-the-fly of the 231 in my new 99 xj. Going on a straight, paved road about 35, it shifted into 4wd fine. I could hear a slight spinning/road noise when I shifted in, but it didn't seem like anything to worry about. Anyway, when I shifted back into 2wd, well, it didn't. The light went out, but I could still hear the noise. I drove along about half a mile until it popped out of 4wd with a loud thunk. At first I thought I hit a big bump or something. So I tried it again and it acted the same. Didn't shift out until I had to merge right a little and then is popped out with a louder thunk that really shook the jeep a bit.

Is this normal? Seems like it should shift back into 2wd when I pull the lever.

 

[Professor Bobo]

I have a different year XJ but, I was told that after shifting out of 4WD to make sure it is disengaged, stop, back-up a couple feet, then drive on. It works for me, but I have a different transfercase.

 

[XJMK]

the 231 isnt a full time 4wd, so ideally you want to use it on a loose footing, so the tires can slip if they need to. engaging it on pavement could cause it to bind up a bit, which might be where you are running into problems.

 

[ROOK1]

Try letting off the gas for a second after you shift back into 2wd.

 

[lawsoncl]

That's perfectly normal. Running on pavement puts some pressure on the transfer case and it may not release right away. Letting off or bumping the gas gets mine to pop out quicker.

 

[krelja]

putting her into reverse and driving seems to work when my used to lock up

 

[J-Roc]

Shift it into Neutral if yer going that fast, it will pop out just fine. That will remove all "stress" from the drive train and allow it to slip in and out easily. I do it all the time. I have an np242 however so mine sees pavement use.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Try letting off the gas for a second after you shift back into 2wd.

This also works well for when you need to speed up the process getting IN to 4hi...

 

[srimes]

OK, so I guess it's normal. I knew not to use 4wd on pavement becouse of binding, I just figgured that it'd be ok when going straight.

So I guess using 4wd for a drag racing launch, and then shifting back into 2wd after the launch is out of the question? Bummer.:banghead:

 

[norcal420]

So I guess using 4wd for a drag racing launch, and then shifting back into 2wd after the launch is out of the question? Bummer.:banghead:

Drag racing an XJ..... :laugh2:

 

[Flyfisher]

It's been suggested, but, IMHO not stated strongly enough. Don't put a 231 in 4-wheel drive on pavement. It WILL bind up, even going straight, and that loud thump you hear/feel when it finally comes out of 4-wheel drive isn't good on the transfer case gears. Some might say it's "normal", but the transfer case really wasn't meant for that sort of hard disengagement. In fact, it's probably easier on the TC to let it bind a little until you get to some loose footing (gravel, dirt, snow, etc.), then disengage normally.

Just my $0.02 worth.