Jeep Grand Cherokee

[JeffB]

How difficult is it to replace a transfer case on a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee? After my aluminum rim issue a while back, when the shop refused to mount the tire back on the cracked aluminum rim, I was forced to drive the 10 miles home on the factory donut tire. Being a Quadra-Trac full time 4WD, this destroyed the transfer case as far as I can tell. Right now it's making serious grinding noises, and I was told it was a miracle the transfer case isn't in pieces all over the road.

[MicroZone]

Jeff, you first must look at a few things. Is there fluid in the case? Secondly, Jeep would not put a spare donut in the vehicle if, when installing it, it would ruin anything. I think there are other issues at large. Are you sure it's the transfer case and not the trans, CV's, driveshaft or something else? You're probably looking at 8-10 hours R&R for a basic home mechanic, about 6-8 hrs. for a regular mechanic and less for a Jeep specific shop.

If you need a in-person evaluation, I'd be happy to drive my vette down and take a look. It's a beautiful day out.

[JeffB]

Sorry it took so long to reply, I had a few errands to run(in the wife's minivan). She's about ready to sell it as is, then take that money plus our stimulus check and get me a little puddlejumper that's good on gas to get to work. We were trying to sell it anyway, this will just drastically reduce the value.

I have some tools, but laying in a muddy driveway for an entire day really doesn't sound too appealing.

[Patriot Performance]

A donut spare would not cause any damage to your transfer case, as you do not even have locked axles.

Check out the parts that john mentioned. Would be a good idea to have him look it over. May simply be a u-joint or something simple.

[MicroZone]

Jeff - I'd be happy to help you out. You buy the pizza and beer and we'll get it done. I have a nice dry and clean concrete floor.

[JeffB]

Maybe we can set something up for next weekend? You're up around Sandy Creek, right?

[MicroZone]

Kinda, that is quite a bit further north.

[Go1lum]

I have the same jeep. I just put about 300 miles on the dinky spare and never had a problem.

[rustywrangler]

If you truely need to replace the tcase, your looking at 4 bolts per drive shaft, and between 6-8 on the tcase to trans. I cannot remember how many on yours. I know the 231 is 6.

I also highly doubt your donut spare screwed up the tcase unless your spare is significantly smaller than the tires you have on now. Are you lifted and bigger tires????

[JeffB]

No lift or anything, 235-70R15 or similar. The donut is nowhere near the diameter of the regular tires. The big reason I thought it did damage is that it was screeching the entire time it was on there. On a nice, smooth, fairly straight State road. It was on the rear, would the rear axle be locking? Or maybe the problem is unrelated, maybe a wheel bearing or something?

[MicroZone]

Jeff - still haven't heard from you. Are you scared to meet new people? :laugh:

Do you need help?

[JeffB]

Unfortunately, I'm on call this weekend so I can't really go very far. I looked at it a little closer, and there's a lot of oil on the outside of the front differential, but not so much on the inside. That can't be good, now I just need to figure out whether it's a bad seal or a crack in the casing.

[elvergon]

Jeff - I'd be happy to help you out. You buy the pizza and beer and we'll get it done. I have a nice dry and clean concrete floor.



Do you have such offerings for people in Mexico? :blush:

Lol sry for the hijack...

Just saying hi to micro :P

[MicroZone]

Hahhaa, sure if you want to drive up here. Hey Elv!

[elvergon]

Hahhaa, sure if you want to drive up here. Hey Elv!

Someday, someday, that 2.0 L 172 HP engine hasn´t given me any prob yet, but when I have one, i´ll drive MANY hours lol

[JeffB]

Sorry for the delay, I've been doing major hours at work due to preparing for several upcoming compactor installations and new frontload customers, while being 2 guys short(out of 5). Anyway, I topped off the front diff and transfer case, and the grinding is still there. Couldn't be simple, could it?