turning problems in 95 grand cherokee

[jdsatyr]

Have a 95 grand cherokee larado all time drive that has started crow hopping (skipping and draging on turns). I have rebuilt the front diff, replaced the front axels checked the linkege, brakes adn ball joints... any other ideas??

thanks

Jeff

[Apps]

Like the rest of us...try the transfer case. There are many post out on the net concerning the transfer case. Read through them and see if any of them describe your situation.

[95Orvis]

Originally Posted by jdsatyr

Have a 95 grand cherokee larado all time drive that has started crow hopping (skipping and draging on turns). I have rebuilt the front diff, replaced the front axels checked the linkege, brakes adn ball joints... any other ideas??

thanks

Jeff

Does it happen primarily after you have driven it for a while (15-20min)? Does it feel like you're locked in 4wd when taking those turns? Hate to say it but the TC is a place to start. It's Monday night and hopefully, in a strange way because it's costing me about $1k when it's all said & done, by tomorrow night I will have the 249 replaced with a 242 courtesy George in Long Island for the parts and my local mechanic.

As Apps, said, there are lots of postings and articles on the 249, the AWD TC we have, that addresses this. Essentially its goes something like this. Folks please correct me if I'm stating anything wrong. I'm not a mechanic just a 249 victim.

The viscous coupling (VC) inside the TC is packed in a silly putty type of material. The AWD is constently sensing slippage on all 4 corners and re-directing torque to the wheel which IT THINKS is slipping. This constent adjusting causes the VC in the 249 to breakdown prematurely. The heat makes the situation that much worse. The reason you're noticing it in the turn is because the outside front tire is turning at a different rate than the inside tire. The 249 thinks therefore that the outside tire is slipping and hence gives extra power to the inside tire. Check the tread wear on the outside edge of your front tires. I bet its chewed up.

Hope this helps you understand what might be going on.

[flip1234]

I have the exact problem on a 94 GC which I just bought. Didn"t notice the problem for a week or so until I took it for a long drive and tried to park it on a tight turn. I wondered why the outside front tires were bald...now I know. Will a oil change cure the problem somewhat? I like taking things apart. Anything special regarding the overhaul of the transfer case in removing this cancer?

[artrageous]

Originally Posted by 95Orvis

It's Monday night and hopefully, in a strange way because it's costing me about $1k when it's all said & done, by tomorrow night I will have the 249 replaced with a 242 courtesy George in Long Island for the parts and my local mechanic.

Oh geez....is this what it costs to have it replaced??

When you replace the 249 with the 242 (instead of trying to rebuild the 249--which I've read doesn't help for long) does this mean that it's no longer an all time 4WD? What's the major difference between the 249 and 242?

How long does it take to replace this?

Yesterday I had a major episode with this again--as bad as the first time--so I know I'm going to have to do something. I have a service appointment next week to have recall work done (that should have been done a long time ago) and have a list of other things I want them to check while they're at it.

I have a limited warranty from the dealership but part of the warranty says that they can choose the shop where any serious work is done.

But another question--if you try to make those tight turns when it's hot and "binding" is it messing something up and potentially causing more problems? Just wonder what happens if you DON'T replace it..... $$$ is so tight right now, given that we've just ordered a new transmission for my son's car!

[ShadMan]

Yes, you can damage your car by driving it in 4wd constantly on pavement, which is what you are doing if the VC goes out. The fail mode of the VC is full-time 4wd, which is why you feel your steering binding. Your front wheels travel in a larger circle than your rear wheels. I wouldn't let this go very long. The "Select-Trac" TC also has a full-time 4wd, just no VC, but you have the option of manually selecting 2wd high, whereas you don't in the Quadra-Trac.

[ChadEbert]

Hmmph....my 98 GC Limited w/ Quadra has done this since day one, just figured it was part of the deal. If its any consolation, mines done it for 111,000 miles now and hasn't made a damn bit of difference. Oh yah, it's still for sale, inquire within.

[ShadMan]

I would hate to see your hubs and the inside of your TC! I have a friend who ran his for 30k miles like that because he didn't know what it was, and it tore up his front axle! Wound up costing him nearly $4k to replace the axle & TC.