Cherokee 4x4 groans when in a slow turn when warm

SOURCE: Turning problems

My Answer:

The one thing you never mentioned was if you had your Jeep SUV Front-end Aligned after you had the new tires installed?

I'm guessing/hoping you did???

Where did you have the work done at? Be specific here!

Was it a 2-wheel or 4-wheel alignment if that applies here? Big difference it was done RIGHT or if it was done WRONG? That's just maybe part of the problem though if it was indeed MIS-ALIGNED. When you say PULLING - that is a BIG CLUE right there of a possible MIS-ALIGNMENT!!

Not sure what size tires you had on it originally or which size new tires you had put on, but if the new tires were over-sized then you are rubbing on the mainframe or possibly rubbing the front fender wells??

This has happened before, as sometimes they don't pull the right size tires from stock, and then don't double check them before mounting them.

Esp when you are running bigger rims and lower profile tires, which might be your case, as you didn't say anything to the contrary.

If we're talking about STOCK tires for STOCK tires here then your driver side door decal will state the factory installed tires as to their proper size. Any modification to that as to bigger rims and lower profile tires has to be done to factory recommended specs. Lets hope so anyway!

If I were you I would be double checking everything, as to what was actually done, and as to what tires, etc were put on your SUV.

The clue to your problem lies right there to start with! After all nothing was mentioned about any "pulling" before you had the new tires put on.

Here's one last big clue as to if you actually got a "bad alignment" on your Jeep SUV.

Have someone else drive behind you on an empty straight flat street (or else have someone else drive your Jeep and you follow behind about 4 to 5 car lengths back). If your Jeep's body is trying to track crooked (as if on an angle diagonal to straight ahead) as the tires are trying to track straight ahead - then you definitely just got a bummer mis-alignment!

I'm putting my money this is the case, as I've seen it so many times it's not funny.

It called a "shade tree alignment" and for good reason.

Let me know I was right?

Frank

SOURCE: loud groaning noise while turning left

Hi

The groaning noise is the power steer pump operating under duress. I would suggest having the front suspension checked for any seized or failing ball joints or control arm problems. Most suspension guys will give the undercarriage a look over for you for free to check for any failing/unsafe parts. The engine belt driving the power steer pump should also be checked in case it needs adjustment.

regards
robotek

SOURCE: 4x4 transimission clunks when engaged?

When engaging the 4WD system, you are pulling the lever on the Transfer Case right? Not the transmission, it's a different gearbox.
There were several versions of transfer cases that used both full and part-time 4 wheel drive.
From your description this sounds like a part-time transfer case.
Going with that, it is somewhat normal to hear and feel a mild clunk when engaging 4WD high range, especially if you are at a complete stand-still or under full throttle.
Try engaging 4WD High while slowly rolling at idle - no throttle. It should pull in fairly smoothly.
Once 4WD is engaged it will literally LOCK the front and rear axles together. So do not do it on hard dry pavement.
These older style 4WD systems need a little "give" especially when turning. The engineers assume you are not engaging 4WD unless you are in a somewhat slippery scenario.
Many CV joints, axles, U-Joints, differentials, and transfer cases are damaged and broken by folks who don't understand this.
Reading the owners manual should provide a clearer description of what you've got.
Bear in mind that when you come out of 4WD it may not completely release, again due to hard pavement binding up the axles. You can try this: backing up 10-25 feet in a straight line, or getting one set of wheels on the shoulder or in some gravel. That should allow it to release the transfer case and go back to everyday 2WD high.
I hope this helps.
:)

SOURCE: ABS brakes grunt, groan noise with brake pedal travel.

Joe it is common for the brakes to moan when they wear down and sometimes they will squeak, try replacing the front pads and lubing the shafts on the calipers install anti squeal on the back of the pads, the ABS device would not cause noise as they are just a ring with a magnet and the reluctor ring spins and the magnet detects the spinning of the reluctor ring, they don't even touch and are stationary in place where they are mounted. There is a possibility that the brake fluid is dirty and could cause the abs motor to groan but you would just have to flush the system, When you don't put your foot in it on the brakes it will make some noise even new, I have a 2008 ford ranger that makes the same noise and the brakes are fine. You will have to adjust your braking habits to stop the noise. You can change the pads and that will help but not for long, be sure when you are operating your brakes press firmly on the pedal until you stop. If the brakes make noise after you let up on the pedal then the caliper parts need to be cleaned and lubed, however it is not a safety issue.

SOURCE: Switching back 4WD to 2WD - 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4L Limited Petrol

With any 4WD like this, always move a few feet in the opposite direction when disengaging. If you were moving fwd in 4wd, switch to 2wd, back up a few feet, then go fwd.