98 Wrangler - Four Wheel Drive Engagment & Rattle Questi

[joesco]

Just purchased a used 98, 4cyl, 5 speed Wrangler. Don't have a user's manual, how should one shift from 2-wheel to 4-wheel? Is it shift on-the-go?

Also, has anyone experienced a rattle at low speeds which appears to be coming from underneath the four-wheel drive shifter?

Thanks!

[o||||||o]

I believe the book sez to slow to about 5mph (i get slower) and yank it up (use your best judgement and yank it sooner than later, my dumba$$ relearned how important forward momentum is, exactly the same way I learned it the first time. dohhhhh).
The rattling? Yes, I do know it. It feels like it's tapping on your floorboard at the gas pedal, no? More when you're slow, and more when you're running cold (just starting for the morning, not engine temp)? It feels like a front wheel drive CV going out.
I had it for the first 2 yrs of ownership, and I thought it had 'just gone away'. Well, I went wheelin the other day, and treated her a little rough in the process. Lo and behold, the rattle came back the next morning, but she was runnin like a champ all covered in mud (I think she's dirty at heart :g ).
I took it to the dealership, the 1st year, and tried to get them to hear it, but just like any other noise you want someone else to hear, it went the way of the dodo with a mechanic in the cab with me. Oh well, one day I'll figure it out. it seems to only be there during the winter anyway (all 3 months of it here).
Good luck, I'll be watching for new posts on this one. It's buggin me now.

[joesco]

Yes, it sound like just as you described. I have a 90 day 3k mile warranty and I am taking it back to the dealer next week. Will post what they find. Thanks!

[ChiliTJ]

The noise could also be the the 4X4 shifter. After I installed the BL, the shifter rattles slightly when I pull away from a stop and sometimes when idling. I didn't have a owners manual with mine either but I can shift into 4X4 at about any reasonable speed by simply pressing the cluch and raising the shifter

[Joker®]

Shift on the Fly at any reasonable highway speed. I've shifted to 4Hi at 45mph (the pavement ends and the dirt road begins). I wouldn't try that with 4Lo, closer to 5-8 mph.

I've heard that some lifts will cause shift lever clearance problems, rubbing/knocking the tub. May have to pull the lever boot up for a look-see.

[extexan]

shift on the fly is a convient way to shift into 4H but i wouldn't do it very often or definately not into 4L. the way i fiqure it is if it is an emergency (ex. coming up to a mud hole i didn't know was there) i will shift on the fly. other than that i don't think it is a good idea too. my theory is that if i can stop, disengage the clutch(or put into neutral) it has to be easier on the gears and transfer case and will allow a longer life of the 4WD. that's just my personal opinion though. also make sure that when you disengage the 4WD you go in reverse a few feet to ensure proper disengagement.

[Bob]

Just purchased a used 98, 4cyl, 5 speed Wrangler. Don't have a user's manual, how should one shift from 2-wheel to 4-wheel? Is it shift on-the-go?

Also, has anyone experienced a rattle at low speeds which appears to be coming from underneath the four-wheel drive shifter?

Thanks!

The rattle is from the 4 wheel shifter. Pull off the rubber boot see where the shifting rod goes thru the floor pan this is where the rattle is comming from. I have a 97 with the same exact problem drove me nuts looked everywhere under dash, under car then finally located it. As far as the fix I put some oil on it lasted about a week then came back at least I know where it is comming from.

Bob 92 & 97 Jeeper

[RockHopper]

;) Bob is correct, the rattling sound you hear is the shifter. Next time you hear it rattle hold the shifter to one side, and rattle is gone. Regarding shifting into 4wd, in a 5-10mph forward motion, lift foot off gas, shift into 4wd, and you are set. Direct from A Jeep Dealers mouth.

[Blupupher]

For 4wd high, any speed below 55mph, just pull up on the shifter. I would not do it on dry pavement, it can cause problems.
For 4wd Lo, as said before, low speed (less than 5mph) let off gas or press clutch and pull quickly from 4hi to 4lo.
Going back to 4hi from 4lo, usualy I have to go very slow (1-2mph) and press the handle down when I let off the gas. Still get some grinding sometimes.
4hi to 2wd, just push the handle back down

[o||||||o]

the rattleing that i have isn't exactly a "rattle". It's more of a thumping i can feel with my gas foot. I can't tell if i'm feeling it through the pedal itself, or from the floorboard at the gas pedal.
Is this what y'all are talking about too?

[oldjeepster]

:no: I have a 95 wrangler, I have owned 4x4's all my life. You can go to 4 hi at 55 or below with no trouble (from experience and from manuel) but for 4 low they recommend either full stop or 3mph or less with tranny in nuteral. I also have a rattle under neath my jeep, but it was not there until service replaced cat converter, I assume that maybe the exhaust may be tapping the skid plate. This is common because the exhaust is to close to the shield, the least vibration can cause the pipe to tap on the skid plate. Don't want to sound like I am a no it all, but I have been driving 4x4 for 40 years.

[Culbey]

I have messed around with my 4 wheel shifter and I agree, when I push it to one side and take off it doesn't rattle. Also if you rev up the engine before you take off it won't rattle either but I also hear the noise as I am driving down the road and hit a bump. If it's bumping up against something could the center console (its a 97 tj) be taken out and something be ground to make clearance? Or perhaps from underneath?

I would like to mention another noise just to see if anyone else has had a similar problem. While I'm driving I hear a popping noise coming from the dash underneath the bottomleft side of the windshield. It's driving me crazy but no matter how hard I look I can't find it. Only thing I could think of to do was tighten up all the screws I could find but it still doing it. I'm starting to think maybe tj's are just suppose to make noise. -o|||||o- Thanks. :USA:

[Bob]

The exact piot of rattle is where the 4 wheel shift rod goes thru the floor pan. If you take the console out you will see the shift rod going from left to right and thru a hole to the under side of jeep. It is at this point where the rod passes thru the floor that the rattle originates. Metal to metal should have been a nylon bushing. When you take off the engine flexs just enough to cause it. Or when you go over a bump same thing the rubber motor mounts let the engine and trans flex just enough to cause the rattle. As far as a fix you need to get something between the two metals. Only thin I can think of is squezing some clear silicone between the shift rod and the hole it goes thru. Kind of mickey mouse but the correct way would be to remove the shift rod enlarge the hole in the floor to fit a nylon or rubber bushing between the hole and shift rod. That is if you can find a nylon bushing the exact size needed. I have the same exact situation with my 97 and just finding it was a relief for me, I just live with it.

[o||||||o]

Where does the rod go through the floor pan? Is it at/near the gas pedal? I believe the rubber moter-mount theory, it goes along with the timing of the 'thump'. But once again, the trouble I'm talking about is a thumping at the gas pedal. Feels like someone tapping on my floor pan with a rubber mallet. There's no metal to metal sound or feel about it. :x

[Culbey]

I was just looking around on the NHTSA site and I found this.
====
Make : JEEP Model : WRANGLER Year : 1997
Crash : No Fire : No Number of Injuries: 0
ODI ID Number : 560294 Date of Failure:
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
Summary:
THE FAULTY TRANSFER CASE CAUSES SEVERE SHAKING OF THE ENTIRE TRANSFER CASE AND FRONT DRIVESHAFT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE DRIVESHAFT AND CRUSHED TRANSFER CASE MOUNT WERE REPLACED BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NLM
====

Now my question is it the lever or the mount? Anyone heard of any recalls or bulletins about a faulty mount?

[o||||||o]

?????????????????
can anyone elaborate on that?

JBO

[ErieJeep]

the rattleing that i have isn't exactly a "rattle". It's more of a thumping i can feel with my gas foot. I can't tell if i'm feeling it through the pedal itself, or from the floorboard at the gas pedal.
Is this what y'all are talking about too?

Sounds like motor mounts to me. Thats exactly what mine did before I replaced them.