2004 Jeep Liberty crabbing after being towed problems

[ron & deb]

Have towed this Lberty 90,000 mile lately when we disconnect it wants to crab (scuffing fighting any turn) when we first use it, most of the time it resolves if we back it up? Have never had this problem in the past. I would appreciate any advice to solve our dilemma this jeep only has 55,000 miles on the engine.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[twinboat]

If its 4 wheel drive, it may be locking into 4x4 while your switching it from tow mode to normal driveing mode.

Recheck your procedure and see if your doing something different, otherwise just back up and go foward a small distance to let the front hubs unlock.

[LandKO]

We tow a 2004 Jeep Liberty that has 108,000 miles on it. Never noticed the condition you described. However, I always back away from the RV after unhooking. If I remember, the next time I unhook I’ll move the RV first and the try driving the Jeep forward.

[Finance]

The transfer case in the Jeeps has a spring loaded internal shift mechanism. First you put the shifter in your desired mode. If there’s no binding in the gears or torque applied to the transfer case, the springs push the sliding internal gear to the selected mode.

If there is binding or torque applied (common) then the shift won’t actually take place until the tension is released. It’s not at all uncommon to shift between 2H and 4H and have the shift delayed. Thus the common advice to reverse direction briefly to release the binding.

You’re putting your selector in 2H but the transfer case is sticking in 4H.

There is also a small plastic bushing at the transfer case end of the shift cable that is prone to becoming brittle with age and breaking. This can cause the shift mechanism to be maladjusted, but it may still work so long as the cable doesn’t fall off completely.

Considering your long experience with this Jeep and recent onset of symptoms I’d say it’s the bushing, or possibly maladjusted cable.

[ron & deb]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I believe it is a worn bushing. My wife has done this operation for over 10 years so do not think it is that.
thanks again to everyone