The Jeep Liberty...for what it's worth!

[GoldBug]

Thanks Eddo.

 

[2003KJ]

I can’t say that I’ve had any luck w/ my wrangler… at 60,000 miles the transfer case blew up because the front driveshaft was off center causing a vibration at highway speed ( I was going 70 when it happened)

Interesting seeing as how your front driveshaft only spins when you have it in a 4x4 setting, so in your normal 2wd day to day driving it's not spinning at all. Have it in a 4x4 setting shortly before it blewed up?

Actually it does spin in 2wd. There are no diconnect hubs on the TJs or KJs either.

so then, in theory, it's in 4x4 mode all the time?

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Basically. The connection is made at the T-Case, I believe.

 

[GoldBug]

Yes the transfer case is where it engages. When you lift the lever to put it into 4Hi or Lo it moves gears that line up in the transfer case to engage the front drive shaft so the motor is powering both shafts. When it's in 2Hi the T-case only puts power to the rear but since your front tires rotate and move the axel the gears move in the front differential that spin the front shaft rather than the engine moving the shaft and the shaft moving the wheels. If you were to lock up the front wheels in 2Hi and peel out the rear ones the back drive shaft would move and the front one would not. The fact that the T-case gears must line up is the reason why it's hard to get a stopped car into 4Hi from 2Hi because the gears teeth aren't always lined up. That's why Jeep suggests you try putting it into 4wheel while coasting a bit so then the non-moving teeth can catch and lineup. I'd say it'd be easier to engineer disengaging the front shaft at the T-case rather than the front differential or both spots and there's probably less moving parts to worry about in a T-case than a differential.

 

[Jeeping]

ibezu2 wrote:
We had our 2005 Jeep Liberty replaced two weeks ago. Chrysler/Jeep agreed to replace the vehicle at an informal hearing after we complained for a year (numerous service department visits) about the rear end noises (brakes) and then filed under the lemon law. We picked up our new 2006 Jeep Liberty two weeks ago, 50 miles on it. We now have 776 miles on the vehicle and it goes in for service tomorrow. The check engine light came on while we were driving on the interstate...the vehicle started shaking and the engine started making loud noises. The vehicle will not run above 2200 rpm's. When this problem is fixed, whatever it is, the vehicle is gone! We travel alot and bought the Jeep Liberty to carry our Kayak's and fishing gear. We have no confidence in the vehicle at all...NONE! THE JEEP LIBERTY'S ARE JUNK...just my opinion, and everybody has one, opinion that is.

Since you're throwing opinions around, here's mine. You have a splinter up your tail cause someone didn't dance to your tune over at the Jeep garage. And you are beating hell out of the product just to get even.
Now you want to get on here and snivel. That's how I read your post.
Remember it just an opinion.

 

[GoldBug]

As much as I doubt you're going to post on here again or even check back on this forum I'd suggest you get a Subaru Outback or Forester. I saw an outback w/ a kayak in the back at the gas station the other night.

 

[LibertyCRD]

Yes the transfer case is where it engages. When you lift the lever to put it into 4Hi or Lo it moves gears that line up in the transfer case to engage the front drive shaft so the motor is powering both shafts. When it's in 2Hi the T-case only puts power to the rear but since your front tires rotate and move the axel the gears move in the front differential that spin the front shaft rather than the engine moving the shaft and the shaft moving the wheels. If you were to lock up the front wheels in 2Hi and peel out the rear ones the back drive shaft would move and the front one would not. The fact that the T-case gears must line up is the reason why it's hard to get a stopped car into 4Hi from 2Hi because the gears teeth aren't always lined up. That's why Jeep suggests you try putting it into 4wheel while coasting a bit so then the non-moving teeth can catch and lineup. I'd say it'd be easier to engineer disengaging the front shaft at the T-case rather than the front differential or both spots and there's probably less moving parts to worry about in a T-case than a differential.

Jeep and Dodge tried a system that disengaged in the axles up front for years. It (like any automatic engage/disengage system on the market) was very problematic. It wasn't as junky as Ford's system...or GMs...but it was junk. So that's why they finally just said to hell with it...let's permanently connect everything up front and make the t-case the only disconnect. So now Ford trucks and Jeeps/Dodges, etc. all use a permanently connected front end. So yes in 2WD your halfshafts and front driveshaft are spinning all the time. The advantage is there is nothing to quick working or fail now. The disadvantage is it wears out your CV joints faster and reduces fuel economy.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

So that explains why the EPA ratings for the YJ wrangler were 17/21 with the 4.2L I6 and when the TJ (4.0L Fuel Injected) came along... The ratings are now... 15/19 now?

I *believe* the YJ uses some sort of hub disconnect? I could be wrong here.

 

[LibertyCRD]

Yeah the older Jeep/Dodge design actually used some sort of two piece axle shafts up front. And there was a slider that engaged the shafts in 4x4 modes. So the hubs were connected always, but the front diff and driveshaft were free and didn't spin in 2wd. Obviously this system was prone to failure because of all the complicated moving parts inside. My dad's 98 dodge ram has a problem with this system right now but he hasn't taken time to fix it yet. i guess that would lead to better mileage if the driveshaft was free. but the older 4.2l engine might have been more fuel efficient also. i don't know about that.

I really like the system on our KJs. It does seem wasteful for the front end to spin constantly... but it's problem free and I don't have to get out in the snow or mud when i'm stuck. \/

 

[Tigrou]

It's not a surprise for us in France
We have a lot of KJ with problems

for mine, 11 month, 19.000 miles
Jeep KJ 2005 Wild Dream 2.8 CRD

- lost of a "pin" from the transfert box
- 3 electronique programming because of lost of power on the interstate and engine problem light on.
- change of the bar stab
- lost of the hand break

 

[2003KJ]

Yes the transfer case is where it engages. When you lift the lever to put it into 4Hi or Lo it moves gears that line up in the transfer case to engage the front drive shaft so the motor is powering both shafts. When it's in 2Hi the T-case only puts power to the rear but since your front tires rotate and move the axel the gears move in the front differential that spin the front shaft rather than the engine moving the shaft and the shaft moving the wheels. If you were to lock up the front wheels in 2Hi and peel out the rear ones the back drive shaft would move and the front one would not. The fact that the T-case gears must line up is the reason why it's hard to get a stopped car into 4Hi from 2Hi because the gears teeth aren't always lined up. That's why Jeep suggests you try putting it into 4wheel while coasting a bit so then the non-moving teeth can catch and lineup. I'd say it'd be easier to engineer disengaging the front shaft at the T-case rather than the front differential or both spots and there's probably less moving parts to worry about in a T-case than a differential.

ahhh yes, makes complete sense now. thanks for the clear up \/