Grand Cherokee Help

[wuvvum]

OK, I think fate might be paying me back for not sticking to my resolve to not buy any more shite. I went out in the Jeep this evening to see a mate, and on the way there was a lound clonk and bump like I'd hit something in the road. Only there wasn't anything there. I stopped and had a look around to see if something had fallen off, but couldn't see anything so continued on my way and got to my mate's without any further issues. Then on the way home the same thing happened several times, albeit less loudly - the first few times it was over bumps, but then it did it on smooth straight roads as well. One time after the clonk the nearside rear wheel (?) started making an intermittent screeching noise, kind of like a slightly binding brake caliper on a slightly warped disc, only more metallic - this went on for about half a mile, then faded out. The time after that it started making a "drrrrrrrrrrrrr" sound like something was rubbing against a tyre. I pulled over to check, couldn't see anything obvious, and when I pulled away the sound had gone.

 

Does this mean my Quadratrac is knackered? I know the rear diff is rather tight as I've noticed when turning on full lock the rear tyres scuff and it needs more throttle than you'd expect to keep moving - could the odd noises be related? Any pointers would be most welcome, as I'm reluctant to take it any distance until I know what the problem is, and being an intermittent issue chances are if I take it to a garage it'll behave itself perfectly.

[Pete-M]

Quite possibly the rear handbrake shoes playing up. Mine's done that. They're mind-bogglingly simple to work on. Built for Yanks.

 

Something to try with the rear diff is the LSD slippy additive Jeep dealers sell. It's about £6.50 a bottle, you'll need two bottles. Jack the body up a bit at the back, remove little rubber fill plug from diff, pour both bottles in, refit little rubber plug.

 

Reverse car in a figure of eight a couple of times and see if it's any better.

 

If yours is anything like mine, the viscous coupling in the centre diff will be a bit shagged making tight corners wind up the 4wd. I find the easiest solution is to not use full lock.

[fiatdaft]

Mine does exactly the same !

[wuvvum]

Thanks gents - I'll see if I can get hold of some additive and see if it helps. Pete, now that you mention it, after the first clonk I did notice that the handbrake seemed to have more travel than it did before, and it was struggling to hold the car on my mate's driveway, although to be fair it was the first time I'd parked the car on a slope. I'll have a poke around at the weekend, weather permitting.