Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

I have an 02 JGC Ltd with a Quadra-Drive transfer case (full time
four-wheel drive) with 50k miles on it. When turning, I feel a
vibration and hear a grinding noise and I can't quite tell if it's from
the front or rear of the vehicle, but I suspect the front since it only
occurs when turning. The grinding gets worse with sharper turns, like
turning into or out of a parking space, but also occurs with shallow
turns (doesn't require the wheel to be turned to the max). The noise
isn't continuous, but rather comes in short 1- or 2-second pulses. In
my mind, this grinding is different than the binding that a part-time
4x4 vehicle would do on dry pavement because the Jeep still drives
fairly fluidly through the turn; but I could be wrong on this. My
question is: where should I look for possible issues and what are the
common culprits? The transfer case was just flushed and re-filled with
new fluid (NV247) and I plan to change out the front/rear diff fluid
soon.

Re: Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

mshamilto wrote:
> I have an 02 JGC Ltd with a Quadra-Drive transfer case (full time
> four-wheel drive) with 50k miles on it. When turning, I feel a
> vibration and hear a grinding noise and I can't quite tell if it's
> from the front or rear of the vehicle, but I suspect the front since
> it only occurs when turning. The grinding gets worse with sharper
> turns, like turning into or out of a parking space, but also occurs
> with shallow turns (doesn't require the wheel to be turned to the
> max). The noise isn't continuous, but rather comes in short 1- or
> 2-second pulses. In my mind, this grinding is different than the
> binding that a part-time 4x4 vehicle would do on dry pavement because
> the Jeep still drives fairly fluidly through the turn; but I could be
> wrong on this. My question is: where should I look for possible
> issues and what are the common culprits? The transfer case was just
> flushed and re-filled with new fluid (NV247) and I plan to change out
> the front/rear diff fluid soon.

Check the CV boots (or U joints) on your front axle. Popping is the
sound a worn CV joint makes.

Lift the front end up and turn the wheels by hand. You can usually feel
any slack.

--
DougW

Re: Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

mshamilto wrote:
> I have an 02 JGC Ltd with a Quadra-Drive transfer case (full time
> four-wheel drive) with 50k miles on it. When turning, I feel a
> vibration and hear a grinding noise and I can't quite tell if it's
> from the front or rear of the vehicle, but I suspect the front since
> it only occurs when turning. The grinding gets worse with sharper
> turns, like turning into or out of a parking space, but also occurs
> with shallow turns (doesn't require the wheel to be turned to the
> max). The noise isn't continuous, but rather comes in short 1- or
> 2-second pulses. In my mind, this grinding is different than the
> binding that a part-time 4x4 vehicle would do on dry pavement because
> the Jeep still drives fairly fluidly through the turn; but I could be
> wrong on this. My question is: where should I look for possible
> issues and what are the common culprits? The transfer case was just
> flushed and re-filled with new fluid (NV247) and I plan to change out
> the front/rear diff fluid soon.

Check the CV boots (or U joints) on your front axle. Popping is the
sound a worn CV joint makes.

Lift the front end up and turn the wheels by hand. You can usually feel
any slack.

--
DougW

Re: Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

mshamilto wrote:
> I have an 02 JGC Ltd with a Quadra-Drive transfer case (full time
> four-wheel drive) with 50k miles on it. When turning, I feel a
> vibration and hear a grinding noise and I can't quite tell if it's
> from the front or rear of the vehicle, but I suspect the front since
> it only occurs when turning. The grinding gets worse with sharper
> turns, like turning into or out of a parking space, but also occurs
> with shallow turns (doesn't require the wheel to be turned to the
> max). The noise isn't continuous, but rather comes in short 1- or
> 2-second pulses. In my mind, this grinding is different than the
> binding that a part-time 4x4 vehicle would do on dry pavement because
> the Jeep still drives fairly fluidly through the turn; but I could be
> wrong on this. My question is: where should I look for possible
> issues and what are the common culprits? The transfer case was just
> flushed and re-filled with new fluid (NV247) and I plan to change out
> the front/rear diff fluid soon.

Check the CV boots (or U joints) on your front axle. Popping is the
sound a worn CV joint makes.

Lift the front end up and turn the wheels by hand. You can usually feel
any slack.

--
DougW

Re: Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

Thanks for the suggesstion. I changed the front and rear differential
fluid and the problem is 98% fixed (still makes a slight sound, but
only at full turn now which I can deal with). Maybe the previous owner
didn't have the friction modifier in the differentials like
Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler recommends?

Re: Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

Thanks for the suggesstion. I changed the front and rear differential
fluid and the problem is 98% fixed (still makes a slight sound, but
only at full turn now which I can deal with). Maybe the previous owner
didn't have the friction modifier in the differentials like
Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler recommends?

Re: Grand Cherokee grinding noise while turning
 

Thanks for the suggesstion. I changed the front and rear differential
fluid and the problem is 98% fixed (still makes a slight sound, but
only at full turn now which I can deal with). Maybe the previous owner
didn't have the friction modifier in the differentials like
Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler recommends?