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At low speed such as pulling out of a driveway onto the strett, or maneuvering slowly aroung a parking lot, I get shudder I can feel and a noise like gears out of allignment. It happens in front and sometimes in rear and sometimesw both. When the shudder and noise stop, I can tell something has been binding because the car sujddenly "releases" and is no longer bound up as I start driving down the street. This is on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee with about 120,000 miles. Mechanic tells me it is supposed to do that, it is the limited slip working. I would think Jeep would sell many vehicles if "they are supposed to do that". Also had differential grease and special Chrysler transfer case grease changed recfently. Thoughts?
Country: United StatesMake: Jeep ChryslerModel: 2002 Grand CherokeeYear: 2002Engine: biggest Already Tried: Changed grease in both differentials and changed grease in transfer case using special Chrysler product.
Hello and welcome to Just Answer, my name is Matt.
Did you have the differential and transfer case maintenance done at a Jeep dealership?
It sounds like they forgot to put the friction modifier additive in the differentials.
With the limited slip differentials, it is very important to install 4 oz of friction modifier additive in each differential when the fluid is changed.
Failure to do so will cause the noise you are describing, and a binding sensation when turning.
bout 2 qts
Normally the front differential will hold about 1.2 qts of 75w-140 synthetic fluid plus the 4 oz additive
Normally the rear differential will hold about 2 qts of 75w-140 synthetic fluid plus the 4 oz additive
And the transfer case will take about 3 qts of the special NV 245/247/249 fluid.
Please check your receipt and see what was charged to the repair order.
Your answer makes sense. The same mechanic who told me "they are supposed to do that" also asked if friction modifier additive had been added. So I guess he gets credit for half credit. I dont know if the friction modifier was added though Id guess not, since noise and binding have continued since changing differential grease.
Can you give me a brand for the friction modifier additive since it appears those doing the work may not be familiar with this additive. Question about transfer case additive. What brand is it and where is it a available?
Do you think any significant damage could have been done running the differentials without the additives? It was obvious to me that some mechanical components(I incorrectly guessed gears) were binding quite a bit? I have owned the Jeep only a short while, but in looking at service records of previous owner I found no receipt for any differential service.
I am going to get the differentials (last serviced 2-3 thousand miles ago) serviced correctly. The correct transfer case fluid was installed only a few miles ago. Can I leave that fluid in the transfer case assuming that the lack of mileage would not have caused any problem with it despite the lack of friction modifier additive in the differentials for 2-3 thousand miles ago?
If the correct transfer case fluid was installed, it's probably OK and I would focus on the differentials. The transfer case just needs the correct fluid, NO additives. It is possible to suck a few ounces of fluid from each diff and pour in the friction modifier additive.
The brand os MOPAR and it would be best to purchase them from your local Jeep dealer parts dept.
It is possible of course that the differentilas have been damaged, but I suspect that installing the additive will solve your problem. You will have to drive around for a while and make some turns so the additive works it's way into the clutches. Don't expect immediate resolution.
Sorry for the misspellings...typing is not one of my strong points.
Please reply back if you have any other questions on this.
Thank you Matt, really appreciate your help.
Experience: ASE Master Auto Tech, ASE L1, Jeep/Chrysler Dealer Tech, 18 yrs exp