Transfer Case?
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,188
Likes: 6
From: Bristol,Pa
Year: 94
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Quick check seems to indicate a worn progressive coupler in this QuadraTracII NV247 transfer case. As a quick check you can remove the front driveshaft and confirm the issue if the symptom disappears. Note: this transfer case does allow removal of driveshaft without burning up coupler unlike the early Fulltime 249 transfers.
This coupler seems to go around the 100K mile mark. Some report they are still driving with this condition, others report the coupler burning up and locking up the transfer case. Most dont seem to want to attempt a repair of this, and opt for a 231 or 242 transfer case swap.
I'd bet finding a WJ 242 transfer case and having it swapped in would be close to the same price the dealer wants to charge for the repair... which could very well appear again in the future.
More later...
This coupler seems to go around the 100K mile mark. Some report they are still driving with this condition, others report the coupler burning up and locking up the transfer case. Most dont seem to want to attempt a repair of this, and opt for a 231 or 242 transfer case swap.
I'd bet finding a WJ 242 transfer case and having it swapped in would be close to the same price the dealer wants to charge for the repair... which could very well appear again in the future.
More later...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Thx for the info, I will research all this and keep you guys posted. I am going to find a shop and find out how much tit is going to cost to fix it. I dont think I will be taking it back to the dealership again.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
I'm not to familiar to WJ's TC. I can help get you a 231 or possibly a 242 from an XJ for pretty cheap if you want to do the swap. I'm not to sure of any good honest 4 wheel drive shops where you are that could install it though. Installing a new TC will be a pain with out a lift and a trans jack. I know of a great place here in Charlotte that could help you out but not sure it would be worth the drive.
Last edited by Desertfox1023; Feb 17, 2009 at 04:06 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 5
From: pa
Year: 2000
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
if you can find a 242 from a 4.7 wj it should be a pretty direct swap (think you'll need the rear ds too)...i agree sounds like the t-case..and wow $600 for a wheel bearing!?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Ok, new info for you guys...
Yesterday I had a flat tire and my husband fixed it for me. We were out working on it and we got to talking about the noise and what to do about it and I told him about this thing I read on a forum the other day. It said to take the Jeep out and take it from High to Low gear and then put it back in High gear again. Just to make sure the transfer case gear is in the right position. So, I figure..what the hell, lets try it. So we took it out and it popped right into low gear with no problems and right back into high gear again with no problems. We took it out on the highway and the noise was still there so that didnt work.
But it is so weird. If somebody can please explain it to me it, I would be very grateful. When you are driving on a straight road, you can hear the noise loud and clear, also in a right turn or curve. But when turning to the left or left turn, you can give it as much gas as you want too, and the sound is not there. Why is that? If the transfer case is bad, how does it pick a side to be louder? Also, how come the gears shifted so easily from High to Low? I am soooo confused. Please help!
My husband mentioned something about a spindle on the right axle on the tire or something...what is that? Could it be that?
Yesterday I had a flat tire and my husband fixed it for me. We were out working on it and we got to talking about the noise and what to do about it and I told him about this thing I read on a forum the other day. It said to take the Jeep out and take it from High to Low gear and then put it back in High gear again. Just to make sure the transfer case gear is in the right position. So, I figure..what the hell, lets try it. So we took it out and it popped right into low gear with no problems and right back into high gear again with no problems. We took it out on the highway and the noise was still there so that didnt work.
But it is so weird. If somebody can please explain it to me it, I would be very grateful. When you are driving on a straight road, you can hear the noise loud and clear, also in a right turn or curve. But when turning to the left or left turn, you can give it as much gas as you want too, and the sound is not there. Why is that? If the transfer case is bad, how does it pick a side to be louder? Also, how come the gears shifted so easily from High to Low? I am soooo confused. Please help!
My husband mentioned something about a spindle on the right axle on the tire or something...what is that? Could it be that?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Ok, I found this forum today and I really need some advice before I spend all this money to fix my Jeep.
I have a 1999 JGC Limited 4x4, 4.7L V8 with the Quadra track system. I have already spent over $1200 on useless repairs trying to fix it and I am so tired of wasting my hard earned money.
I took my Jeep to the dealership and had a CV Joint fixed last year and also had the fluids changed in the axles and the transfer case, then soon after those repairs, I started hearing a loud roaring/whining sound coming from the front end. I took it back to them and they said it was a bad wheel bearing and it set me back $600. I did the repair and it was pointless, made no difference. So I took it back, they replaced the other wheel bearing, another $600, still...no luck. The noise is now getting worse.
It is a loud whining/roaring sound once I get up to highway speeds. I can feel a vibration in the gas petal and in the steering wheel once I get up to speed. In the mornings when it is cold outside, the noise is not there, it is quiet. Once the Jeep warms up, then the noise comes back. Also when you turn to the left in a curve or something, the noise stops again. Which to me indicated the wheel bearings (which is why I paid the $$ to have those repairs done). The noise has gotten worse over time now.
Anyway, I took it back to the dealership again, and now they are telling me that the gear in the transfer case has gone bad...Is this real...? The repair is going to cost me around $1100 and I cant afford another repair that doesnt fix my Jeep. The guy at the dealership told me it was safe to continue driving it for as long as I wanted, that it was not going to get any worse, that the parts that were broken, all needed to be replaced anyway. He said that it was not causing damage to anything else. I dont know if that is true or not.
I am not a mechanic by any means, but to me it sounds like the axle or something. It also does a slight popping sound when turning to the left. They assured me that the axle and all was ok, that it was the transfer case. I dont know....please...somebody HELP ME!
I am really hoping someone out there can give me some advice and help me. I will pay for the repair if that is the problem. I just dont have the money to waste on another BS repair.
Thanks for any help!
Heather
I have a 1999 JGC Limited 4x4, 4.7L V8 with the Quadra track system. I have already spent over $1200 on useless repairs trying to fix it and I am so tired of wasting my hard earned money.
I took my Jeep to the dealership and had a CV Joint fixed last year and also had the fluids changed in the axles and the transfer case, then soon after those repairs, I started hearing a loud roaring/whining sound coming from the front end. I took it back to them and they said it was a bad wheel bearing and it set me back $600. I did the repair and it was pointless, made no difference. So I took it back, they replaced the other wheel bearing, another $600, still...no luck. The noise is now getting worse.
It is a loud whining/roaring sound once I get up to highway speeds. I can feel a vibration in the gas petal and in the steering wheel once I get up to speed. In the mornings when it is cold outside, the noise is not there, it is quiet. Once the Jeep warms up, then the noise comes back. Also when you turn to the left in a curve or something, the noise stops again. Which to me indicated the wheel bearings (which is why I paid the $$ to have those repairs done). The noise has gotten worse over time now.
Anyway, I took it back to the dealership again, and now they are telling me that the gear in the transfer case has gone bad...Is this real...? The repair is going to cost me around $1100 and I cant afford another repair that doesnt fix my Jeep. The guy at the dealership told me it was safe to continue driving it for as long as I wanted, that it was not going to get any worse, that the parts that were broken, all needed to be replaced anyway. He said that it was not causing damage to anything else. I dont know if that is true or not.
I am not a mechanic by any means, but to me it sounds like the axle or something. It also does a slight popping sound when turning to the left. They assured me that the axle and all was ok, that it was the transfer case. I dont know....please...somebody HELP ME!
I am really hoping someone out there can give me some advice and help me. I will pay for the repair if that is the problem. I just dont have the money to waste on another BS repair.
Thanks for any help!
Heather
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Hey, I have changed the right CV joint, left and right wheel bearings, and changed fluids in axles and transfer case. Ever since that right CV joint has been replace, I have been getting this noise. It is so weird. I have had several people look at it and I keep getting the run around. I have one other place I have not tried yet and I am thinking about taking it to him next week.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
well if you take it in and they put it on the hoist, ask them about taking the front drive shaft off and taking it for a spin. I don't think it hurts these things. Although with the quadra drive its a bit different then the durango I had. I drove that for a couple weeks without a shaft. was fun did great burnouts.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
I build custom cars for a living and though I don't know exactly what the problem in this case is. I just do not get how some shops and dealerships can misdiagnose a problem and bill someone for it when it isn't fixed.
I personally would refuse to pay for work done that was unnecessary or did not fix the problem.
Just my .02
I personally would refuse to pay for work done that was unnecessary or did not fix the problem.
Just my .02
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 5
From: pa
Year: 2000
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I build custom cars for a living and though I don't know exactly what the problem in this case is. I just do not get how some shops and dealerships can misdiagnose a problem and bill someone for it when it isn't fixed.
I personally would refuse to pay for work done that was unnecessary or did not fix the problem.
Just my .02
I personally would refuse to pay for work done that was unnecessary or did not fix the problem.
Just my .02
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
in the beginning, the dealer told you it wold cost $600 to repair the vehicle and the work they did didnt repair the concern. I would have taken it back made them fix it for free. They told you $600 for the repair and thats all it should cost you. Its not your fault they didn't diagnose the problem correct the first time,...
I work as a mechanic,... and it sucks to miss-diag a problem but sometimes that happens[every one is human] but it shouldnt cost the customer more than the original quote.
I work as a mechanic,... and it sucks to miss-diag a problem but sometimes that happens[every one is human] but it shouldnt cost the customer more than the original quote.
Last edited by Mattpar; Feb 21, 2009 at 05:46 PM. Reason: spell check
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Hello everyone, its ME again.
I have come across the money to fix my Jeep. I am not sure what I am going to do as far as who to take it too, I am calling around some now.
I will let you all know what happens so we can finally answer this mind blowing question! LOL.
A friend of mine has a few Jeeps and suggested a guy in Wilson NC and I am going to call him up and see what he thinks I should do. I still dont think it is the transfer case but I dont know much about it. All I know is what I feel and it feels like something in the front somewhere. It is still quiet when I turn go to the left in a curve and still popping when I turn too. Anyway, I will def let you all know! Thanks for all the help!
Heather
I have come across the money to fix my Jeep. I am not sure what I am going to do as far as who to take it too, I am calling around some now.
I will let you all know what happens so we can finally answer this mind blowing question! LOL.
A friend of mine has a few Jeeps and suggested a guy in Wilson NC and I am going to call him up and see what he thinks I should do. I still dont think it is the transfer case but I dont know much about it. All I know is what I feel and it feels like something in the front somewhere. It is still quiet when I turn go to the left in a curve and still popping when I turn too. Anyway, I will def let you all know! Thanks for all the help!
Heather