98 zj 5.9L VC

[crapmanche4l]

So if under load (towing 4 wheelers) and when turning sharp like out of a drive way. It feels and sounds like something is binding( gotten a lot worse over the last four months). It kinda felt like it was from the rear end/center of the vehicle. So I tore the diff apart and all looks good so that means its probally the vc in the T case right? And if so wat actually happens when the vc totally goes out? lots of noise, no more go, ??? Anyone (cody)
Thanks Harlem

 

[Bud]

Viscous couplers rarely go all the way out, but there is a simple way to test at home. Pull out front driveline, park facing up on a hill with th ebrake off. If the Jeep starts inching its way back then the VS needs replacing. From what you described, you could be on the right track. Do you have a limited-slip rearend and what axle is it? If you have cracked main shims or clutches it could produce close to what you are feeling.

 

[crapmanche4l]

Viscous couplers rarely go all the way out, but there is a simple way to test at home. Pull out front driveline, park facing up on a hill with th ebrake off. If the Jeep starts inching its way back then the VS needs replacing. From what you described, you could be on the right track. Do you have a limited-slip rearend and what axle is it? If you have cracked main shims or clutches it could produce close to what you are feeling.

its the dana 44 that comes in the jeeps and when I went through the rear end every thing looked goodand it didnt have any clutch packs or things that look like a limited slip.

 

[jeepin4x4james]

I'm pretty sure 5.9's came with a Trac-Loc in the rear....Maybe it was an option though

 

[Jay5.9L]

I'm pretty sure 5.9's came with a Trac-Loc in the rear....Maybe it was an option though

Mine did but does not do a lot of good

 

[crapmanche4l]

I'm pretty sure 5.9's came with a Trac-Loc in the rear....Maybe it was an option though

I dont know??? TO me it just looked like regular old spiders and carrier to me. All I know is its starting to get on my nerves and need a 231 to go in there

 

[Jay5.9L]

I'm almost sure its the VC. Try to take a slow sharp trun. If the wheel fights back and jerks, your VC is going out.

How many miles do you got on it?

 

[crapmanche4l]

I'm almost sure its the VC. Try to take a slow sharp trun. If the wheel fights back and jerks, your VC is going out.

How many miles do you got on it?

thats what I thought but it will coast through a turn it just does it under load and/or turning and accelerating

 

[crapmanche4l]

so if my vc is already going out can I pull the front driveline to make it stop binding?

 

[Bud]

so if my vc is already going out can I pull the front driveline to make it stop binding?

Yes, but.........
You'll have to use your parking brake all the time to keep from rolling down hills, and depending on the condition of the t-case it will still drive, but it might slip some. If your t-case has any life in it, it will shorten that life twice as fast running that way though.....

 

[crapmanche4l]

hmmmm...... I guess I'll just deal with the binding. :-\ Thanks all.(anyone got a 231 for sale that will fit)
-Harlem

 

[Bud]

hmmmm...... I guess I'll just deal with the binding. :-\ Thanks all.(anyone got a 231 for sale that will fit)
-Harlem

I would still pull it to see what the changes are, it would help further your diagnoses. Then drive for about a week, and put it back in. I have had customers run for over a year without the front driveline in an AWD.....

 

[crapmanche4l]

cool I'll give it a shot. Thanks again

 

[Brad]

'96 and up 249s split torque 5/95 front/rear, respectively. You can safely pull the front shaft and drive it with no further damage to the VC. I had to do the same for nearly 6 months. As far as swapping a 231, you should be able to do so with any TJ 231. You'll need to keep your input shaft from the 249 as the shaft lengths are different, but otherwise it's very straightforward. If you find one and want a hand with the install, shoot me a PM.

 

[Bud]

'96 and up 249s split torque 5/95 front/rear, respectively. You can safely pull the front shaft and drive it with no further damage to the VC. I had to do the same for nearly 6 months. As far as swapping a 231, you should be able to do so with any TJ 231. You'll need to keep your input shaft from the 249 as the shaft lengths are different, but otherwise it's very straightforward. If you find one and want a hand with the install, shoot me a PM.

if you're changing the input shaft you should be able to use all NP231s (ithink), but not any of the older AMC231s found in the earlier XJs. You can change out the vacuum switch to the newer electronic 4wd indicator....

 

[crapmanche4l]

'96 and up 249s split torque 5/95 front/rear, respectively. You can safely pull the front shaft and drive it with no further damage to the VC. I had to do the same for nearly 6 months. As far as swapping a 231, you should be able to do so with any TJ 231. You'll need to keep your input shaft from the 249 as the shaft lengths are different, but otherwise it's very straightforward. If you find one and want a hand with the install, shoot me a PM.

Will do when I find one. Didnt you and your bro do it to yours?

 

[Brad]

Will do when I find one. Didnt you and your bro do it to yours?

Yeah, we did mine a while back. We had to pull the 231 a few times in the process, so we've got the whole thing down to a science now.

 

[crapmanche4l]

Yeah, we did mine a while back. We had to pull the 231 a few times in the process, so we've got the whole thing down to a science now.

Sweet then I'll get ahold of you when I find a good donor. and then you can clue me in on what other dodads to get. Thanks for the offer to help. We'll talk soon
-Harlem

 

[crapmanche4l]

Well no front driveline for a few days now. tons better but every now and again I still feel some binding( not near what it was). Is that still the the t-case doin its thing? I assume.

 

[Bud]

Well no front driveline for a few days now. tons better but every now and again I still feel some binding( not near what it was). Is that still the the t-case doin its thing? I assume.

probably the limited-slip