04' Liberty Binding in Reverse while in 2wd

[hunfiscam]

Jeep Liberty 3.7L 4x4
Hi everyone, I've been reading through many posts regarding KJ driveline binding issues but could not find one that matched my symptoms.

Bought the KJ at a city auction so I dont have any back history of how it was driven or repairs done prior. While driving it home the rear axle was whining for cheese and after all said and done the rear pionion bearing race was bad and someone (other than me) had worked on the differential and assembled it incorrectly.
The problem i found when I first started driving is when in drive (2wd) the car acts normal but when in reverse the car will move normal but for only 2ft, after that something happens (no noises) and it feels like the rear brakes are applied and i have to raise engine rpms above 1500rpm to get it moving again. As soon as I let off the gas the car stops like I applied the brakes. I was hoping the rear axle repairs would resolve this but it has not made a difference.

I'm thinking its something in the transfer case but have not experienced this in a 4wd vehicle before.

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[Snail Farmer]

It could be the parking brakes binding up, or something wrong in the diff, or possibly the transfer case. My money is on the parking brakes, but it's possible that whoever was messing around in the diff messed something else up. If it were me, to start troubleshooting I would jack the rear end up so both rear tires are off the ground, remove the wheels and pull the brake rotors off, then rotate the axle shafts both directions and see if there's any binding. You can inspect the parking brakes while you've got it apart and go from there.

If you'd posted sooner I could've given you a hand. I was just up in the cities this past weekend. And welcome to the forum.

 

[hunfiscam]

SF, thanks for the reply
I just rebuilt the rear axle (new pionin bearings, new differential, new differential bearings, new axle bearings, and new seals all around.) hoping the new components would fix, alas no...

I am now fully self trained on a Chrysler 8.25" axle rebuild. never imagined so many adjustments and tight tolerances.

Rear axle is currently off the ground
I cranked the emergency adjusters all the way in when installing rear rotors so am doubtful this is it, but in the past have encountered brakes grabbing in one direction but not the other.

Tonight - I plan to take front drivesaft off and test
Then take rear driveshaft off (both removed) and test. will post results.

in 2wd with tires off the ground, the axle spins easily at idle. But in reverse axles spins easily about 1/2 turn then stops (binds) . After it binds in reverse I have to increase rpm's to get axle spinning and the engine sounds like its working harder (similar to trying to move a trailer).

 

[hunfiscam]

New noise developed while chasing the binding issue. posted a video on You Tube

2004 Jeep LIberty NP231 Noise - YouTube

 

[hunfiscam]

removed Transfer case and ran Jeep for 30sec. Shifted in Drive and Reverse, noise was still present and still binds in reverse. Problem is definetly in the transmission. Anyone have idea what part of ****** is :favorites68:

 

[Leeann]

If it's in the ******, it's the 1st/reverse clutch. I didn't have either 1st or reverse after mine exploded (while it was my best friend's Jeep) on the highway. Sounds like yours isn't as bad - yet.

I bought a lower-mileage 42RLE on eBay, shipped to my work (we have a forklift) with a warranty for $300 and put it in working in my backyard with all four corners up on jackstands. Do not forget to clean the ****** cooler and ****** cooler lines or you'll be facing another replacement soon - you wouldn't believe the chunks of friction material that came out of both under pressure of the can of ****** cooler line cleaner.

But are you sure it is the ******? It could be the u-joint on the rear driveshaft.

 

[hunfiscam]

unfortunately I am certain it's in the transmission. Transfer case is laying on the ground and driveshafts are inside hatch area.

thanks for the remider to clean the trans lines.

 

[Leeann]

When you go looking for a ******, you will need to know 45RFE or 42RLE. If the latter, you will need to know whether you have 3 or 4 electrical connections on the driver's side.