Shifting into 4W low - grind/clunk

[Jondrew]

I’ve only shifted into 4W-Low a few times. Trans in 4W Hi, rolling at 2-4 MPH, auto trans in neutral, pull back firmly from 4W Hi directly into 4W-Low, do not stop in neutral. Always makes a clunk, grind or bang. Same thing going back to 4W-Hi. Pretty much remember this was the same story in my older CJs. Is that just the way it is and stop thinking about it? Or does it improve after doing it more often? Going from 2W to 4W-Hi was a bit sticky till I did it a few times. Now it shifts effortlessly . I just have not had the occasion to do the 4W-Lo much.

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[AlamedaJeep]

Sounds normal to me - it's been that way on my JL and every other Jeep I've owned. Mine always makes a "clunk", but I can usually avoid any grinding.

Don't worry about it!

 

[Sorbs]

Quite normal and it gets easier the more you use it.

For the haters, nothing to see here, move along...

 

[Maverick909]

i remember the first time i tried to get it into 4H it was stiff. and even stiffer going to 4L. but after a couple weekends its gotten much easier. no grinding noise though.

 

[Jondrew]

Quite normal and it gets easier the more you use it.

For the haters, nothing to see here, move along...

Not sure what you mean by “haters” Just trying to figure out if I’m doing something wrong.

 

[Sorbs]

Not sure what you mean by “haters” Just trying to figure out if I’m doing something wrong.

The haters who glom onto posts like these and argue “normal” isn’t good enough since a $50k vehicle should defy physics.

 

[47Jeepster]

Try going in/out of 4WL at a much lower speed. Stop the jeep on a slight slope, shift into neutral, take your foot off the brake, and then, shift as the Jeep starts moving. If that works with no grinding, then you have the lowest speed that is acceptable ... stopped will work some times, but isn't reliable. Next, try it with the Jeep coasting a little faster. My experience is that it's much smoother with less grinding/clunking at a very low speed. I walk at 2.5 mph and use that as an upper limit.

And yes, it does get smoother and easier as you use it.

 

[Jondrew]

Try going in/out of 4WL at a much lower speed. Stop the jeep on a slight slope, shift into neutral, take your foot off the brake, and then, shift as the Jeep starts moving. If that works with no grinding, then you have the lowest speed that is acceptable ... stopped will work some times, but isn't reliable. Next, try it with the Jeep coasting a little faster. My experience is that it's much smoother with less grinding/clunking at a very low speed. I walk at 2.5 mph and use that as an upper limit.

And yes, it does get smoother and easier as you use it.

Took it to a trail today and spent some time going in and out of 4-Lo. I seem to have it down to the occasional grunt. Probably pilot error.

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