Hello I'm new here. I have a 96 Grand Cherokee Quadra Track with 5.2L engine and automatic overdrive transmission. About a month ago the front axle overheated. It also began making a grinding noise. This occurred about 6 weeks after a mechanic took the axle apart to replace a CV shaft and a leaking seal, which on this axle is inside the pumpkin. It also happened right when I took the jeep on a longer than usual trip for the fisst time since the repairs.

I changed the oil the front axle and it overheated again. The mechanic swears he put everything back exactly as it came out and cannot find anything wrong with it. The gears do not look worn, damaged or chewed.

I checked the fluid in the rear axle and it was burnt too, however not as badly as the front. So I replaced that. Same thing with the transfer case, the (ATF4) fluid in it was burnt too.

I seem to remember from older trucks that driving on dry pavement with the transfer case locked can cause similar problems. But this transfer case has no lock. I'm wondering if the fluid coupling has somehow siezed up and caused this. I have been driving the jeep now for about two weeks with the front driveshaft taken out, just so I have transportation. There has been no noise further issues with fluid but I'd like to get it fixed before it snows.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to narrow the problem down to whether it's the fluid coupling, something in the axle, or something else entirely? I dont' want to just start replacing parts. The jeep has 165,000 miles on it.

 

When you make sharp turns the tires will hop and the truck will buck a lil bit if the Viscous Coupling is shot. I once had a ZJ with a 249 TC that was toasted, I looked into replacing it, lets just say for the price and hassle it would be easier to swap the TCase.

 

replacing the Viscous coupler will run you anywhere from $400-$700
Finding a 242 or 231 will cost you about $100ish and take another $40 to swap in!