2001 Grand Cherokee LTS V8 LSD Help

2001 Grand Cherokee LTS V8 LSD Help

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Jaketim

Original Poster:

3 posts

82 months

Friday 19th January 2018
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Forgive me if I am in the wrong forum but I am new to this and a Brit to boot.

I am in the UK and I have a much loved 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD 4.7 V8, Quadradrive. Dayna M44 rear axle with progressive Vari-Lok (DSC build code) / 216mm RBA . So the mechanic says. I love it and it has only done 76,00 miles.

They have had it in the shop/garage since November, it went in with a grumbling and groaning rear end , when in tight turning situations, gas station, carpark etc. They have changed the oils and additive twice, worn out the local supermarket car lot , Turing in circles.....no luck. Finally they stripped it and checked the LSD clutches, non broken and put it all back together. Still no better. they did manage to source some new clutches but they are not the same, I think they were Trak Lok anyway. Very different.

I am now getting desperate, I miss my car and the only suggestion the garage gave me was to take the LSD clutches out, I don't like the sound of this and anyway the car is the best for mild off road and stuff for where I live.

I know I can't find the parts here , if I need them. Any help that you real Jeepers will be so welcome.

The so called Jeep specialist admitted that he had never seen this type of LSD, I think he is used to Trak Lok

Thanks Jon

Total loss

2,138 posts

234 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
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If it had non lsd oil in it (which will cause the problem you describe ) it supposedly takes a lot of miles ( hundreds) once the correct lsd oil is put in for the problem to go, it doesn't happen straight away. Hopefully you are not paying for their lack of experience.

classicyanktanks

295 posts

84 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
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Don’t you need the special mopar fluid ? I think the ram suffers a similar problem unless you use the mopar dex3 I think it is.

wildoliver

8,995 posts

223 months

Wednesday 24th January 2018
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I've just replaced the fluid in my 2003 GC with the same Dana 44a rear axle with the same LSD.

Just used the correct spec oil with LSD additive and it's fine. As a side note I did all the fluids on it and it's been a hard and expensive job. But worth it. Mine has the 2.7 though with the mercedes box that needs special expensive oil.

What is the groaning sound like? Does it do it all the time?

wildoliver

8,995 posts

223 months

Wednesday 24th January 2018
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Just to add is it a groaning or is it a grabbing feeling as you turn the corner very tightly?

Brynjaminjones

120 posts

130 months

Friday 26th January 2018
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We've got a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 that probably has a very similar LSD.
Ours used to clunk and make grabbing/clicking type noises when pulling away from a stop with diff hot after we bought it.

We (stupidly) put over 30,000 miles on it like this, until eventually getting the fluid changed. On taking the cover off it was apparent that the gears themselves had had small chunks taken out of them from continuing to drive with the binding LSD clutch plates.

A diff rebuild later and we wished we'd just had it looked at sooner!

I'm not sure if it's possible to simply take the clutches out, but I'd think you'd be fine off-road without them. My Cherokee is open diff front and rear and I don't really have any problems. By the time I need a locking diff, lack of ground clearance has usually already become an issue.


Where in the country are you? I use an excellent Jeep specialist for stuff like this in Derbyshire.

Jaketim

Original Poster:

3 posts

82 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Thanks all for your replies. It has the correct Mopar additive in and makes the tortures groaning sound, in slow , car park like , turns. Sounds a bit like a spring unwinding. it is a bit better once warmed up