Front axle still engaged when not in 4wd
#1
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Location: Rochester, NY
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Front axle still engaged when not in 4wd
I believe my 1994 xj front axle is still engaged even when I'm not in 4wd. The transfer case goes into 4H and back to 2wd just fine, but if I feel the diff cover after driving at highway speed for a while it's hot and I notice my RPMs are higher at highway speed than they normally are. I've been dealing with it for a few weeks now but I'm noticing a significant loss in MPGs and I'm wondering if the axle will be damaged by continuing to drive it like this. I'm thinking it might be the vacuum shift motor but not sure, any help is appreciated...
#2
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I believe my 1994 xj front axle is still engaged even when I'm not in 4wd. The transfer case goes into 4H and back to 2wd just fine, but if I feel the diff cover after driving at highway speed for a while it's hot and I notice my RPMs are higher at highway speed than they normally are. I've been dealing with it for a few weeks now but I'm noticing a significant loss in MPGs and I'm wondering if the axle will be damaged by continuing to drive it like this. I'm thinking it might be the vacuum shift motor but not sure, any help is appreciated...
The easiest/cheapest way to prevent that for on-road driving would be to remove your front driveshaft. Lockout conversions are pricey for the XJ.
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Year: 95
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0 242 HO
Most people lock it up front permanently, later models don't have the vacuum, the front diff spinning won't cause an issue, nor should it cause a significant loss in mileage.
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