Non-diesel 911

[Walker]

This is for my wifes 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 (we just bought it used 5000 mi. ago):



While I was checking the front brake pads today, I noticed when I turned the rotors by hand, the front drive shaft was turning. I then drove it around and tried to get the transfer case to disengage, but no luck (its got "select-trac" which is: "2wd, 4part-time, 4full-time, N, and 4lo). I

figured something was sticking to cause this, either from the transfer case end, or the front diff. end. So I pulled the front diff. plug to check the oil just to check it (even knowing it had just been changed). I found serious silver (metal) shaving gook on the plug about 1/4" thick, and could feel little or no oil with my finger.



Here's the kicker. Just about 6 weeks ago I had taken it to the Kwik oil change place and had them change the front and rear diff. fluids (since it was a used vehicle with 80K).



Symptoms: Lately the mileage has been terrible, and the front end has been making a lot of noise. I start thinking "crap, this things been stuck in 4x4 (possibly "4part-time", which is just below 2wd where the lever always is while driving) maybe for several weeks. "



Could it be the transfer case is stuck causing excessive wear in the front diff. Or did the oil change guys screw something up like not putting in enough, or the wrong oil, and the thing is binding up in the front? What are the possible problems that could cause this? If it's the Kwik oil change co. 's fault, how can I prove it?



TIA

 

[sdalton]

Sounds like your front diff is fried. Check your transfer case too. The people at the Kwik Change might have forgotten to put enough or any fluid in. Raise holy hell if they did.

 

[illflem]

It's not unusual at all for the Kwik Lube guys to drain the oil and forget to refill it. I've personally known four people who have only driven two blocks away before their engines seized up. They are good about paying for the damage though.

 

[Walker]

If it was the front diff. , would the gears freezing cause the drive shaft to turn and therefore possibly burning up the T-case too?



Or, does the shaft only turn if the T-case is engaged?



What are the chances of there not being total damage, and just being able to refill the oil?

 

[baby.driver]

You're dreamin'

Originally posted by Walker





What are the chances of there not being total damage, and just being able to refill the oil?

 

[illflem]

You mean to say that Amsoil won't fix it? There might not be enough room on the label to include this attribute

 

[parcher]

The front diff may be fried but I wouldn't condemn the transfer case just yet. The transfer case drives the front axle when in 4wd, the front axle does NOT ever disconnect itself from the front pinion gear. If you jack up one front wheel and turn it, the driveshaft HAS to turn! If three wheels were on the ground and the front driveshaft turned, you were in 2wd. If you were in 4wd you'd either not be able to turn the front driveshaft (the parking pawl would stop you) or you'd force the vehicle to move (transfer case "locks" front and rear driveshaft together, one can't turn without the other in 4wd). Front and rear differentials are known weaknesses on Grand Cherokee, sorry.

 

[Walker]

Thanks Parcher, Illflem;



I assume a few metal shavings doesn't mean the front diff. is toast just yet. It still runs fine; and engages in 4high and 4lo fine. New oil and fill may save it.



baby. Your intelligent response proves you need a life.

 

[baby.driver]

:{ :{ :{

 

[Hohn]

Walker, learn your lesson and never take anything you own to a quickie lube place again. It's probably not shot, but worn quite a bit.



Baby doesn't deserve that flak you're giving him.



HOHN

 

[Walker]

No, it's not shot. Just worn a bit (so they say) . Took it back and had them re fill it. Looks like the Tcase is ok too. Had them grease a zerk I found in the front shaft Ujoint. Seems to have helped with the popping, grinding a bit.

Still worried about the amount of shaving gunk I found on the plug though. But, they said it's "normal wear" and not severe because there were no "large metal shavings. " Sound right? I'm not a gear expert.



Hohn, I posted on here to get some legitimate help on a potentially very expensive problem, of which could ('ve) possibly end up having legal repercutions concerning fault. Not to get some smart a$$ response like "your dreamin". I wasn't in the mood, and still ain't. So yea, he deserved a little flack.

 

[Hohn]

i see ya

Walker, I gotta admit I probably wouldn't be in the mood either, if I were in your shoes.



I am hoping to help keep our discussions civil, and I trust that other member will do the same.



Keep us posted. Go after whichever morons you choose, and let us know how you got them to pay for their screw up. .



HOHN

 

[fbaurley]

I ve noticed that metallic smudge on several of the differential plugs on vehicles Ive owned. The plug is probably magnetic, so it is just doing its job. and for 80000 miles some build up could be expected. As someone stated earlier that the dana axles in the cherokees do not have a good reputation. some say this is the reason that chrysler when to the American axe company,but my dads cherokee has 150,000 miles and no trouble

 

[baby.driver]

I apologize for being rude.

You did say however that the diff oil was changed six weeks back and then you checked the fill plug and found " I found serious silver (metal) shaving gook on the plug about 1/4" thick, and could feel little or no oil with my finger".

So, theoretically, you got that quarter inch of gook in the last six weeks and when you first removed the plug the oil should have started to drip out, not be " little or no".

When I said you were dreamin' I was only going by what you said. Not being there what else am I supposed to think?

If the diff suffered NO damage, then I say count your blessings!

You're right that I was rude. I'll try to be a good little boy now.

Yours,

 

[Walker]

It's all cool fellas. Dumb me though. When I said I couldn't feel any oil, I had on side jacked up so the oil was not level.



I'm hoping the wear from the new oil (6 weeks old) is still considered normal. Just seemed like quite a bit, especially after a change.



Maybe the diff. was already wearing above normal since it was used with 80K. I just know that for NOW, the Kwik Lube is off the hook.