On Tuesday I brought my Jeep (01 Sahara) in for service. Standard stuff, change the transfer case fluid, check the breaks, oil change, and adjust the 4x4 lever. (Previously if you pulled back to the 4x4 high location it would be in neutral.. you had to be in the middle of the position to be in 4x4 high..)
After picking up the jeep I drove around (all different speeds) for
15-20 miles. No out of place noises nothing.Yesterday after lunch I was driving on the freeway (it had been raining, but luckily had stopped). Just turned on the cruise control to 65 MPH.. and suddenly "_BANG_", "screeetch".. Something broke at 65 MPH and the wheels locked up! 65-0 in about 10-15 seconds.. dead in the middle of the freeway with on coming traffic going 65-80 MPH!
Luckily I avoided getting rear-ended and was able to get highway patrol there within a few minutes. When loading the jeep onto the flatbed we put the transmission and transfer case into neutral. The rear tires "lurched" and turned.. the front fires wouldn't turn at all. Had the jeep towed back to the dealership (15 or so miles away).. ($500+! dealership picked up the invoice on that...)
I'm still waiting to hear what went wrong and whats broken..... but I was wondering, if anyone has any idea what the hell happened.... and what I need to look out for (damage wise).
My suspicion right now is either all 4 tires locked up or only the front 2. If all 4 locked, then I suspect the transfer case blew up. If only the front 2 locked then the front differential blew up.
If the transfer case blew, then could the front/rear differential, drive shaft, etc be damaged? (I already expect the tires to be flat spotted).
If only the front differential blew up.. would there be any damage to anything other then the front axel?
(Needless to say, it was damned scary going from 65-0 without being able to do anything about it.. highway patrol, highway helper, tow truck driver and jeep service guy were all amazed I didn't flip/roll it.. geez..)
Thanx, Mark
(First time I've posted here.. been reading the group for the last 4 years.. all sorts of great tips!)