Do Jeep Cherokees shift hard?
It’s always an inconvenience when your vehicle is hard to shift. That applies if you have a manual, automatic, or even a hybrid.
When it’s time to check out a car for sale on the market or a first-time buyer considering one for their family, there may be some questions on why it shifts so hard and what needs to done to fix this issue before going forward with the purchase.
This article will discuss why your Jeep Cherokee might be experiencing some issues along with some fixes that can help loosen up those internal gears if you’re considering buying one of these vehicles from the dealership.
What could cause the shifting in a Jeep Cherokee to be hard?
It’s not uncommon for a vehicle to have a hard time shifting. That’s because there could be a laundry list of why your Jeep Cherokee may be experiencing the issue, including:
The connection between your transmission and transfer case can get worn out. This can make it difficult to get into gear and get going.
It’s important to verify that there is not an issue with this before moving forward with any repairs. If you’re having trouble getting into gear, it may be because of the transfer case linkages that need service or repair.
You want to make sure that these are able to move in order for your transmission and engine to work properly.
The shift linkage or shift control arm. This is a part that can get rubbed and worn out, especially if you’re experiencing a lot of stop and go driving. Replacing this linkages can help loosen up the gears at shift points allowing you to get into gear easier.
The main shafts on your transmission that are rubbing against each other due to wear and tear. This can make it hard to shift from one gear to another because it’s not entirely free of vibration from the shafts rubbing against each other.
The hybrid transmission. In a hybrid transmission, the gears will be either stuck in one position or there could be a worn out pinion gear that is stuck between the gears for that hybrid transmission. Replacing this can help loosen up these gears allowing you to shift into gear easier.
Belts that have been worn down over time, which can cause a lot of noise and movement within your Cherokee’s engine and possibly even noise from the tires.
Replacing these will not only tighten them up so they don’t slip or move but also will also reduce any rattle or noise from the drivetrain.
A sticking transmission fluid pump. If the transmission fluid pump is not working correctly, then your Cherokee’s engine may not get enough lubrication for that gear system.
This can cause the gears to become stuck or move slower than they should. A worn out pump can be replaced if this is what you’re experiencing.
You may be experiencing a wide range of issues with your Cherokee, so it’s important to have a detailed look at its engine to ensure that all the parts are working together to allow you to get moving freely on the road.