Grinding noise when shifting TJ into 4LO

[Pelochin1]

Hello jeepers,

has anybody experienced the grinding noise when shifting to 4lo?
I always shift to neutral with the jeep stopped, after that I shift to 4hi with no problem no strange noise. When I shift to 4lo it makes a grind noise but it works fine.

 

[Chris]

When is the last time you checked / changed your transfer case fluid?

 

[Pelochin1]

I did a couple of weeks and the noise is still there. Have you experienced this grind noise before? My mechanic says it’s normal but I want second opinions

 

[Jerry Bransford]

4Lo is not synchronized so it can grind without the right technique. With an automatic I am always barely rolling at a dead-slow crawl before I pull it into 4Lo. Being completely stopped can mean the gears aren't lined up but a slight roll can help the gears line up well enough for a no-grind engagement. A little upward pressure on the shift handle will be met with little to no resistance when the gears are ready to let you pull it all the way into 4lo.

 

[Pelochin1]

When is the last time you checked / changed your transfer case fluid?

I did a couple of weeks and the noise is still there. Have you experienced this grind noise before? My mechanic says it’s normal but I want second opinions

 

[Chris]

I did a couple of weeks and the noise is still there. Have you experienced this grind noise before? My mechanic says it’s normal but I want second opinions

Yes, for me there is always a very, very slight grind, maybe more or a crunch though. It’s definitely nothing alarming, not like a loud grind or anything terrible.

 

[Pelochin1]

4Lo is not synchronized so it can grind without the right technique. With an automatic I am always barely rolling at a dead-slow crawl before I pull it into 4Lo. Being completely stopped can mean the gears aren't lined up but a slight roll can match them up well enough for a no-grind engagement.

Thanks Jerry, I was worried that I was damaging the gears or the transfer case. Your response it’s very helpful.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I added a little extra to the above post while you were responding.

 

[TJ Hunnicutt]

Have not had an auto on either of my TJ's so I'm betting @Jerry Bransford 's and @Chris 's responses are prolly dead on.
Welcome to the forum! One word of caution...don't take that snorkel as a sign that you can go treading water up to your navel without issue. Most of them are more for looks than function and, even for those that do really seal the water out of the air intake passageway, there are a host of other things that must be done in order to allow your Jeep to go "submarining". Most of those things involve careful and meticulous waterproofing of pass-throughs and electrical connections. Jes a "bug in your ear"

 

[Pelochin1]

Have not had an auto on either of my TJ's so I'm betting @Jerry Bransford 's and @Chris 's responses are prolly dead on.
Welcome to the forum! One word of caution...don't take that snorkel as a sign that you can go treading water up to your navel without issue. Most of them are more for looks than function and, even for those that do really seal the water out of the air intake passageway, there are a host of other things that must be done in order to allow your Jeep to go "submarining". Most of those things involve careful and meticulous waterproofing of pass-throughs and electrical connections. Jes a "bug in your ear"

Thanks man, I have trust issues with the snorkel. The snorkel won’t do much. I have it just for the looks.

 

[Pelochin1]

4Lo is not synchronized so it can grind without the right technique. With an automatic I am always barely rolling at a dead-slow crawl before I pull it into 4Lo. Being completely stopped can mean the gears aren't lined up but a slight roll can help the gears line up well enough for a no-grind engagement. A little upward pressure on the shift handle will be met with little to no resistance when the gears are ready to let you pull it all the way into 4lo.

Hey Jerry,
I was thinking of shifting to 4lo with the engine off. What do you think?

 

[Tjrubicon]

You will want to be moving at 2-3mph but in neutral, as Jerry said at a dead crawl speed, and it will go into 4lo with no or little grinding. No need to turn the engine off. However if it’s grinding while in 4lo you may need to adjust your shifter linkage to the Tcase. You may not be getting fuly engaged. There are utube videos and maybe a write up on here on how to do it. I had to do this when I first bought my TJR. Was fairly easy.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Owners manual says not to stop in N.

 

[Chris]

Owners manual says not to stop in N.

View attachment 181503

Sometimes it will go in in neutral at a stop. However, I've found more often than not I need to let it roll just a little in neutral in order for it to go into 4LO.