A little over a year ago, I rebuilt my rear differential. I have reason to believe my front one may now be going bad. I really do not want to do that job again. If it is going bad, can I just say forget the front one and always drive in 2WD? I've heard the front diff always is turning, even in 2WD, so that is why I'm not sure. I have a 2000 Cherokee.

Thanks in advance

 

Yes, unless you have installed lock-outs, which the XJ did not leave the factory with, the front differential is always turning. Unless you feel that you don't need the front wheel drive, I'd either repair it or even swap in a donor axle from another vehicle. I see people parting out Jeeps all the time and the parts are very reasonable in cost.

 

It's not so much I don't need it, it is more a matter of time/money. I would love to have it, but I just want to verify that my car will not be adversely affected if the front diff goes bad. I know I won't have 4WD, and I do want to fix it, I just want to verify that even if the front goes bad, I can leave it in 2WD and drive it just fine (except for slipping and sliding on ice and snow covered roads haha)

 

If the front diff eats shti on you on the road, it might lock up and leave you in a mess of trouble. if you don't crash, you still won't be going anywhere without being put on a flatbed

 

So what you're saying is I can't just ignore it and it's not as simple as saying I will forego 4WD and just use 2WD all the time?

 

Bingo