1999 Jeep Cherokee Recent Transfer Case Service

Tiny
EL VIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 194,000 MILES
I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (Quadra Trac II) V8 with 194,000 miles that I recently took to a transmission shop for a transfer case service. The vehicle was running fine and the plan was to simply reseal the TC and replace the fluid, soon after service I noticed vehicle was not driving the same. After going back to shop with complaints they added a limited slip lubricant from NAPA and also replaced chain inside TC. I did a little research and it turned out shop used Chevron Dextron 3 Transmission Fluid (M-D3) on my TC, I probably drove on that fluid for about 5 weeks (1,500 miles) until I replaced it with TC fluid at the dealership. The car is driving ok but has definately has a different sound and feel. I would like an opinion on whether using transmission fluid on my TC would have caused damage to vehicle? Or whether having a different chain inside TC is now a factor? I have had several repairs done at other shops in the weeks since so I'm wondering if transmission shop might be responsible.
Monday, February 9th, 2009 AT 2:21 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
ALANBIG6
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
From my experiance you should have a full time fourwheel drive system and this does take special fluid. I have had a shutter feeling from the viscus coupler in the transfer case when the incorrect fluid was in the tc it doesnt supply the proper lube to the clutches and causes this shutter i'm talking about. Generally after the fluid is corrected it may take a few fluid changes to correct this problem. But I know the correct fluid isnt cheep. Hope this helps.
P.S. The shutter sometimes comes with a clunk sound on tight turns slow speeds. Sound comes from the rear of the vehicle but would be traced to the tc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 9th, 2009 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
EL VIC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
That is correct, the first time I returned to shop I told them about steering wheel vibration during slow sharp turns, they added a lubricant to TC and it got rid of that.
As noted, the car now has proper TC fluid but still sounds a little different, do you think this might be due to new TC chain or the fact that I used transmission fluid in TC? Also, I just checked owners manual and it say's TC does use Transmission Fluid Dexron 3, very confused.
The other service I did around that time was the transmission, I verified they added proper fluid but they also added an additive. I just saw in owners manual that additives were not recommended. Any opinion?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
ALANBIG6
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
There are some aftewrmarket addatives dealers will use but generally I have onlt seen addatives if there was a trans. Power flush done. In its self is a good type of service being all the fluid is replaced. Otherwise you may have to have the tc fluid changed once more. Because not all the fluid is drained from the viscus coupler. The coupler is the componant in the transfer case that absorbs the wheel hope felt in tight turns. Hope this info helps.
P.S. I have heard noises from the tc area after the first fluid cange and there noises where a scrapping type noise. After an additional fluid change the noise does subside. Also make sure your not listening into noises to much now that you have had a concern.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
EL VIC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
As far as transmission, they replaced fluid, filters, resealed and added additive. So in regards to TC, in your opinion would a new TC chain or using transmission fluid in TC have anything to do with more noticeable whining sound?

In the weeks after I ended up spending money fixing other parts of car including front drive shaft so I'm wondering if problems started with transmission or TC work. I know my car has high miles but just very strange that car sound changed after these services.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 AT 2:33 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transfer Case Service Content

Transfer Case Service
GUIDE
Transfer Case Service
We are a group of ASE certified technicians that have created this guide for you to save money when doing the job yourself, or see what you are paying for when taking your...
VIEW MORE