Transfer case sound

JAMIELYNN85

MEMBER
1995 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
5.2L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
230,000 MILES

I got this vehicle from dad who drove it for about two years. When he purchased it the front drive shafts was removed. The previous owner told him it was because there was a seal leaking. Been driven roughly sixty miles a day since with out a problem like the one it is having now. The only issue it has had ever since my dad got it was it delays shifting into over drive. Usually will not go into over drive until about fifteen miles down the road continuously around sixty mph and even sometimes not at all. Also if it is parked on an incline with it powered off and in park it will slowly role backwards. This model is the Limited Edition v8, has a Quadra Trac transfer case that is all time 4wd. Suddenly a couple weeks ago while driving it starting making a horrible grinding and clanking sound that I can literally feel thumping the driver side floor board. Checked axles, bearing, ball joints, tires, everything seems fine. Upon doing research for days on it. I think it is the transfer case. Not sure what in the transfer case it could be. If it is fixable or even worth fixing for that matter. Now I make sixty mile round trip to work and back and this is my only vehicle, I am a waitress so I do not have much money and a single mom. I am still driving it because I have no choice right now but it scares me to do so! Is it dangerous to drive? Guess I need so advice all around about it. Thanks in advance!

8 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,968 POSTS

Hello,

Yes, it does sounds like the transfer case is going out and now is starting to make noise telling you it is getting worse. The front driveshaft is probably out becasue the transfer case is stuck in 4x4. I would stop driving it becasue it may go out completely or you are damaging the car more as you drive.

Hope things pick up for ya, try to get a used one and install that one, will be cheaper.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Monday, September 4th, 2017 AT 2:18 PM

JAMIELYNN85

MEMBER
4 POSTS

It has a Quadra Trac transfer case which is all time 4wd. So it's always in 4wd. The previous owner said something along the lines of it leaking gear oil where the front drive shaft goes. I don't know. Unfortunately right now I have no choice but to drive because I have to work. Praying every day it lasts so I can save up enough money to get another vehicle. Anyway thank you for you response. It's what I thought it was. Was kinda hoping I was wrong!

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Monday, September 4th, 2017 AT 2:23 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Well,

Even with a leak (not a terrible one) As long as you keep the fluid level up, You will not hurt the innards!

As long as there is juice kept in there (checking level VERY periodically!) You can drive forever!

BEST TO GET IT FIXED SOON!

I'm sure the juice is reasonable (maybe $10-$15 for a gallon).

A pump may be $5-$8 to install the needed amount (not a full gallon!)

All you gotta do is crawl under, remove the fill plug, and pump away till it starts coming out of the fill hole, then reinstall Mr. Plug.

I have some pics from my '77 CJ-5

View is my head near the rear axle looking forward.

1) "My" fill plug used to be a "square headed pipe plug" I changed it to a "Hex" headed pipe plug (that's just me) Some plugs have a square hole that you use a ratchet in. MY FILL PLUG is seen on the right side, it's brass and just above one of the cover bolts.

Note: The case is never full! The fluid levels out at the same height as the bottom of the plug hole and gets sloshed around with the gears turning!

Your location/ type of fluid/ plug style probably differs. If you respond and want it, I may be able to pull up a diagram of yours from "Prodemand"

2/3) This is the cheap, very effective pump, (stuck in the gear oil "I" have to use.

Trying to squirt fluid in straight out of a quart bottle usually don't work because you cannot get the bottom of the bottle high enough with crap in the way! (This pump will fit into a quart bottle too!)

4) My '77 CJ-5

Your turn,

The Medic

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Monday, September 4th, 2017 AT 4:13 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Update!

If adding in juice, doesn't get it quieter,

As Ken said, it's on its way out.

Another transfer case/ rebuild might solve your problems.

Thus keeping you in Dad's Jeep.

Repairing/ maintaining will make 'em last a long time!

As shown above with my 40 year old '77,

And below with my 71 year old Willys.

The Medic

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Monday, September 4th, 2017 AT 4:22 PM

JAMIELYNN85

MEMBER
4 POSTS

The Jeep runs great especially for having close 230,000 miles on it! And that information would be great. I've been driving it since March and didn't know that it leaked oil. So I rigged up kinda of slide, stuck one end in the hole and poured the oil down the slide into it. But I didn't know it had to be a special kind. I just used some 80w gear oil a friend of mine had already. Guess that could be why it didn't help. Hopefully didn't make it any worse! I will take some pics of what I'm looking at tomorrow when it's daylight. Do you know about how much a used transfer case would cost me? I'm kinda of a gear head for a girl and don't mind doing some work on it.I'm sure it's gotta be more affordable then another vehicle!