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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/2000 Grand Cherokee

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Expert: - 8/24/2004


Question
I have a 2000 Grand Cherokee and have had an issue where I hit about 75 miles per hour I have a vibration in the car that comes from the front driver side, this happens only under acceleration, if you let go of the gas, the noise stops. I have brought it to the Jeep dealer and originally they thought it was a brake issue or a tire that was out of balance. But today they called and said my transfer case was bad and would need to be replaced. What do you think.  

Answer
Krista,

I would advise you to take the Jeep to a reputable shop that specializes in 4 wheel drive vehicles.  This type of problem can come from a bad wheel bearing, a bad universal joint on the drive line, or an axle, and, to a lesser degree, a bad motor mount or transmission mount, along with tire problems.  If you are driving in full time four wheel drive (usually found in V-8 models) than there is a possibility that the transfer case may have a bad bearing, but this should show up at slower speeds also.  If you are driving one with the six cylinder, then you should have a 2 wheel drive position on the transfer case lever.  If you are experiencing this vibration in 2 wheel drive, then the transfer case should not be the problem.

Carl  

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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