Fitter

New member here! I recently bought a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited w/ 4.0 automatic with 97xxx mi. Wasn’t garage kept, needs some body work, has some rusty part but frame & control arms aren’t rusted. Overall isn’t terrible


When driving down the highway at traveling speed once in awhile it will knock the transfer case out of gear and it’ll grind in 2H.

It also did the same thing again when I got stuck in my yard, I shifted from 2H to 4H. When I shifted back into 2H. I came to a complete stop, put my transmission into neutral, then pushed my transfer case back into 2H. It drove about 20 feet and started grinding again. I was able to get it back into 2H and it seemed fine

I plan to adjust my linkage, anybody have an idea what else that may be? Thanks!

IJM

It does sound like your linkage is out of adjustment.

Fitter

You think it could throw it out on the interstate? I apologize for questioning you I’m just new to the Cherokee thing

Fitter

Hopefully that’s all it is

lawsoncl

I would also check your motor and transmission mounts. After 20-years they're bound to be rotten. Part of the linkage attaches to the body, so if the trans is moving in relation to the body that can move the shifter. The design of the linkage is pretty poor imo. If the bushings in the linkage itself are bad, I'd spend the money on the one of the aftermarket replacements. The Boostwerks one happens to be on sale right now. https://www.boostwerksengineering.co...Case_c_13.html

Fitter

Thank you I’ll adjust my linkage and go from there. Luckily a close family member owns a shop, I’ll have to throw it on the lift and see what’s going on.

cruiser54

Have you checked the fluid level and condition?
That transfer case holds very little fluid. Need to do this first.