Staggering while turning at very low speed

[Ackie]

Hi there,

I recently bought a Jeep grand cherokee 2002 limited, 44k miles. It looks like something is wrong. The car is staggering while driving at very low speed (barely touching the pedal) and the steering wheel turned all the way to the left or right (e.g while exiting a parking garage). When it happens I also hear a strange, almost clicking sound and it seems like the power from the engine isn't transmitted fully to the driving axle. I brought it to the dealer and they said they couldn't find anything, (I didn't demonstrate the problem though). It seems like a serious power train problem. By the way, I didn't see any fluids leaking, and also don't hear it while driving at higher speeds. What could be the problem?

[JeepForever]

This sounds like what happens in the models with "part-time" 4WD (wheels spin together, so when turning slowly on dry pavement it gets jerky). I'm not familiar with the 2002 transmissions - Does someone out there know if the wheels spin independently when in 4WD? If they SHOULD, do they behave differently at very slow speeds with tight turns?

[kranky]

I think it's normal. If it happens other than when the wheels are fully turned, then be concerned. It's just the 4WD wheels fighting each other.

[tashit]

My '01 does this and I'm pretty sure it's just the 4WD. I've never worried about it and never had any problems.

[Slewfooted]

Originally Posted by Ackie

Hi there,

I recently bought a Jeep grand cherokee 2002 limited, 44k miles. It looks like something is wrong. The car is staggering while driving at very low speed (barely touching the pedal) and the steering wheel turned all the way to the left or right (e.g while exiting a parking garage). When it happens I also hear a strange, almost clicking sound and it seems like the power from the engine isn't transmitted fully to the driving axle. I brought it to the dealer and they said they couldn't find anything, (I didn't demonstrate the problem though). It seems like a serious power train problem. By the way, I didn't see any fluids leaking, and also don't hear it while driving at higher speeds. What could be the problem?

I am presently having the exact same problem and have been for 5 years . I have been told by the dealer themselves that this is normal. I spoke to a jeep specialist and a driveline specialist shop which gave me the goods . Their is a viscous coupling on the transfer case that gets burned out , usually from using odd size tires . It's not serious and won't hurt anything . My truck never does it when the drive train is cold but usually after being on the highway for 20 miles and, just like you said ; parking garages , for some reason , make it really hard to steer sharp. It's been going on for 5 years so I am convinced that its not serious. This part is pricey ---Dealer quoted me $900 . Driveline specialists quoted ---$500 and its a quick change . good luck, hope this helps

[fredjacksonsan]

There are numerous other posts about this problem. Do a search under "viscous coupler" and you'll get a good idea about it.