I have a '99 Grand Cherokee with Quadra Drive. I am affraid I have done damage to the Transfer case while towing it behind our motorhome. When making sharp turns at low speeds, I get a chattering noise and vibration from the drive train. Can this transfer case be rebuilt? I have been told the clutches are probably burned up. Any help out there? Thanks. Bill T.
Transfer Case Problems
- Thread starter BillTerry
- Start date
88Wrangles
New member
You might try posting this in the "Cherokee, Wagoneer, and Liberty" section.
By the way, Welcome to Jeepz!!!!
By the way, Welcome to Jeepz!!!!
Dragon5126
New member
I'm not familiar with the quadra drive, but am intimately familiar with the Quadra trac. First answer is IF you have been putting it in neutral to tow, the answer is no. Look instead at your steering... the Constant velocity joints make this kind of noise when they go bad. If they are the ball bearing coupled units they are not rebuildable and are sold as assemblies (half shafts) and are relatively easy to replace with the proper tools, make sure you have a set of spline wrenches and sockets, relatively inexpensive from Harbor Freight, as they are held in by spline bolts (at least the 95-98 are). You MAY need a torch to heat some bolts and an impact driver depending on the climate you drive in. I live in Wisconsin, Road salt and snow lead to difficult to remove bolts, so such work, often requires air tools or breakers with long pipe extensions, dry climates, not so much.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Likely the viscous coupling in the transfer case is shot. It can be rebuilt or you can buy a used model and roll the dice.
As long as you've followed the Owner's Manual instructions, flat-towing will not damage your transfer case. The full-time case is very finicky on which fluid is used and it's common for the VC to go bad on older models such as yours.
As long as you've followed the Owner's Manual instructions, flat-towing will not damage your transfer case. The full-time case is very finicky on which fluid is used and it's common for the VC to go bad on older models such as yours.
Dragon5126
New member
WHAT? They are not "finicky" on the fluid used, just like any TC follow spec and you will be fine. People try to make these units out to be something mysterious and strange when they are actually simpler than the part time units are. The quickest and most positive way to tell if your VC is going out is just put the case in 4 low and drive it a few dozen feet and immediately return it back to 4 high. The VC will have spooled up, and when taken out of gear will get extremely loud as you try to put case into high range, even with the transmission in neutral. This will show up before the front end starts "chirping" when turning. Another point to remember is it is imperative to EXERCISE the vc regularly. Simply put the TC in low range and drive it around the block once or twice. The fluid in the coupler is so thick it is almost a paste. Doing this keeps all the plates wetted with it, as well as ensuring the fork's internal workings are lubricated, thus ensuring Minimal wear. One of my grand Cherokees has well over 250K on the original VC with no issues yet, because it is regularly used, keeping the plates wetted so that they don't wear. The fluid in the case is replaced at the specified intervals which keeps internal heat transfer optimal and prevents the fluid in the VC from breaking down as well. Like I said there is no big secret on the fluid the cases use. Any factory speced will work fine. Just do the called for maintenance and you will be fine.
As I stated originally this is most likely an issue with the CV joints at the front wheels, these get the most wear and tear when being flat towed, Doesn't matter if its a 4wd or a front wheel drive, this is an extremely common issue And is why the more experienced motor home owners forgo tow bars for tow dollies. The Dolly has it's own wheels which removes the towed vehicles steering and front drive components completely from the equation, it also prevents the towed vehicles odometer from spooling up the miles when towed.
As I stated originally this is most likely an issue with the CV joints at the front wheels, these get the most wear and tear when being flat towed, Doesn't matter if its a 4wd or a front wheel drive, this is an extremely common issue And is why the more experienced motor home owners forgo tow bars for tow dollies. The Dolly has it's own wheels which removes the towed vehicles steering and front drive components completely from the equation, it also prevents the towed vehicles odometer from spooling up the miles when towed.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
I've worked on both and the part-time cases, in my opinion, are much easier to rebuild.
The problem is people stray from the factory recommended fluid, and a bad VC is the first to go. It's a common recipe for disaster. I'd replace a 249 with a part-time case if I ever own a 249. Current Grand has the 245.
The problem is people stray from the factory recommended fluid, and a bad VC is the first to go. It's a common recipe for disaster. I'd replace a 249 with a part-time case if I ever own a 249. Current Grand has the 245.
