Jeep Compass 2.2d 2011 wrong tyres ****ed 4x4

[Mikesalem]

Hi Group of lovely people,

Just picked up a jeep with a disconnected 4x4, It is the 70th Anniv Ed and the prop is disconnected and one half shaft missing. Apparently it was run on 235/50 and 225/60 rear thus damaging part or parts of the 4x4. Anyone suggest which parts will need replacing? Seller said I need a new prop, clutch coupling and driveshafts, does that sound right?

[E-bmw]

I would have thought just transfer box as that will have been the part of the 4 x 4 system that would have been put under unusual stresses, but I am not a 4 x 4 expert.

[Vsix and Vtec]

I agree with the above poster, you will almost definitely need a new or rebuilt transfer box too. Running different tyre sizes front to rear will always do this in a proper 4x4, where you can't decouple the drive down to 2WD. This is also true if you have large thread depth differences between wheels, so check the tyres for wear level symmetry too before thinking it a fixed problem. I seem to recall the X Type 2.5 and 3.0 ruined their transfer boxes the same way too. All because people love to fiddle with what the factory did.

[Mikesalem]

Thank you for the advice. I have not had 4x4 experience and although I know about the prop, drive shafts & clutch coupling, Ive not come across the transfer box until now and tbh am getting very stuck. I was hoping to find an affordable fix but seem to have found the reason the car was cheap. I was told and stupidly believed that it can run ok as a 2wd but have since found out that is not possible. Already bought 4 new correct tyres so am committed but the car is due to do a 1500mile drive in 3 weeks time.

Can anyone suggest a way of working out the exact bits I will be needing and or if I can somehow run ok as a 2wd?

It is going into a garage this week for a check over but they are going to want to replace the entire 4x4 rear parts and I can't afford that.

[Mikesalem]

E-bmw said:

I would have thought just transfer box as that will have been the part of the 4 x 4 system that would have been put under unusual stresses, but I am not a 4 x 4 expert.

Hi, a mechanic has stated that because the car has been driven with the differential exposed, that will need replacing too, would you agree?

[Bill]

Reading up the Compass's system is "Freedom drive 1" which is a clutch based part time awd system so shouldn't suffer wind up like a proper transfer case.

[InitialDave]

Bill said:

Reading up the Compass's system is "Freedom drive 1" which is a clutch based part time awd system so shouldn't suffer wind up like a proper transfer case.

Yep, it's not the easiest one to find information on, but it seems to be a Mitsubishi-related computer controlled clutch pack to send torque to the rear axle.

Seems like the control logic is reasonably sophisticated and shouldn't normally be able to get itself in a mess, but if a constant 4-5% wheel speed difference has been something it's tried to fight, I can see it having done itself a mischief.

Removing the propshaft and one driveshaft feels odd though.

Certainly, if the rear diff has been run with no output shaft on one side (is there oil in it?) it wont have done it any favours.

I'd imagine the most simple solution is replacing everything after the main gearbox with good used components from another one, but tbh maybe buying a non-buggered one would have been better.