I have a 93 GC that has started grabbing when trying to turn sharply from either direction.Just seems have started recently.It is awd version.
Thanks for any help.

What do you mean by grabbing?

Tires are not rolling freely,feels like they are binding.

Do you know which version of the 4wd system you have? Quadra-Trac or Selec-Trac?

Quadra-Trac,seems to be really bad after you drive a few miles at highway speeds.

Your VC in Transfer Case is gone. This is the diadvantage of the AWD. system

What type of repair and cost on that?

Long and expensive, is my guess ;)

i have that same prob what does vc mean???

vicious coupling

Wow, my 93 GC is doing the same thing. I questioned my mechanic and was told not to worry about it when he test drove it. :nono: Guess I need to find a new mechanic. Worried about the cost of repair, but looking for a rebuilt transfer case now. Have you had an estimate done on this repair? Just curious as now I'm facing the same. <tries to :) >

Thanks for posting this problem, I knew I wasn't losing my mind that there was an issue with this.

Jeep dealership quoted me $1800 for rebuilt transfer case installed.

Jeep dealership quoted me $1800 for rebuilt transfer case installed.
Wow! I've been doing some pricing and am finding rebuilt TC's for $750 upwards to $800. Wish I knew that was the problem before I bought my GC. However, I probably would have bought it anyway :lol2:

If it is FULL time 4wd......it is normal for it to grab and jump on tight turns....like and other 4wd vehicle in 4wd. If the VC was bad it would shake and vibrate going straight down the road along with a loud noise when turning. Yes I am a mechanic.......30 + years and I also own a 95 GC Limited with full time 4wd. I'm not crazy about the full time bit.......it seems they were made to destroy front tires.......but I still love the vehicle. It also has the multi port fuel injected 5.2 v-8. Lots of power !!!

My will do it after I drive at highway speeds for awhile.Jeep dealer looked at it and confimred what I really already knew.He says it is the vc,but naturally you would go ahead and replace or rebuild transfer case.

I contacted a local transmission shop, after looking over the vehicle and test driving they too said it was the VC and the repair would run around $700 which doesn't sound too awfully bad. However, I think after what jroxx said I may take it for a 2nd opinion before I drop that much money. Thinking back...my regular mechanic said it's normal for full-time 4wd to do that. This is my first Jeep and 4wd so I'm sure there are things that won't feel quite right until I know more about what I am driving. Mine also has the multi port fuel injected 5.2 v-8. Even with this dilemma I wouldn't trade it for the world... I love my JEEP!!!!

If you don't want the same problem, I would look into maybe swapping out the 249 (the t-case you have now) for a 242. Through all of my searching and asking questions, if you have a JGC w/ a 249(ones with the viscous coupling) and don't have a problem with it....you're lucky! And of course....if the dealer said to "go ahead and replace or rebuild transfer case," are your options....I think after you look into it (cost wise), you may think twice about putting in another 249. My thoughts only......

If you have time, search around on this site and others for t-case problems. There is lots of reading material for you.

If it is FULL time 4wd......it is normal for it to grab and jump on tight turns....like and other 4wd vehicle in 4wd. If the VC was bad it would shake and vibrate going straight down the road along with a loud noise when turning. Yes I am a mechanic.......30 + years and I also own a 95 GC Limited with full time 4wd. I'm not crazy about the full time bit.......it seems they were made to destroy front tires.......but I still love the vehicle. It also has the multi port fuel injected 5.2 v-8. Lots of power !!!

I am in the process of getting my 249 (QuadraTrac) transfercase replaced by the 242. Much more reliable. I spent over $2k 3years ago having the dealer rebuild mine. BIG MISTAKE. I should have replaced it with a rebuilt/guaranteed one from TCU "the guy in Long Island" like I am doing now.

I never had the vibrations when drivng straight but did have the binding on turns after 15-20min drives. There is another thread I just posted a brief description of what is happening and why you get the binding type of feel. I'm not a mechanic just a well read 249 victim.

Good luck.

which transfer case does the 99+ with quadra drive have? i assume it's different from the 249 quadra trac transfer case. who's "The guy in Long Island" TCU?

I now own my 3rd Jeep and have had the 'crowhopping' problem with all of them. I now own a 1998 GC Laredo and had to replace the rear differential last week. I was hearing a whining/grinding noise and opted for a rebuilt differential. I'm hoping that this will have fixed the 'crowhopping' problem. Still frustrated after $2300.00.

which transfer case does the 99+ with quadra drive have? i assume it's different from the 249 quadra trac transfer case. who's "The guy in Long Island" TCU?

His name is George and he runs Transfer Cases Unlimited. Here's his info.
GEORGE
TRANSFER CASES UNLIMITED
LONG ISLAND NY
CELL 516 658 1440 SHOP 631 226 1448

And...if you are in Canada, I found a place that will also do a 249/242 rebuild/swap. The name of the place is: JMW Automotive. They are located in Kitchener Ontario and their # is 800-263-4863. Ask for Tammy as she is VERY helpful and knowledgable.

What is the 242? Is it selec-trac? And how much does george charge for that? Does the vehicle have to be taken there or does he send it to a local mechanic?

I would just call George in Long Island. He will answer all or your questions and let you know the price. He is very helpful and he will ship the rebuilt transfer case to you or the person that is going to do the swap. Yes....the 242 is a Select Trac. Go to this website (and there are others out there too....you just have to look around) and maybe this will help you: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=466494#post466494

What is the 242? Is it selec-trac? And how much does george charge for that? Does the vehicle have to be taken there or does he send it to a local mechanic?

Yes, I believe it's called a SelectTrac.
George shipped mine last week via UPS overnight (NY to RI) to my local garage. It comes with I think it was a 1yr/12,000 mile warranty. Total cost, including shipping both ways (you have to send the old one back) was $930. The actual cost minus shipping is in the $800 range. 125lb packages are expensive to ship after all. It comes with the TC, a new bezel, and linkage. Don't forget to change the VIC to let it know its not an AWD anymore.

BTW, I'm not sure all of you know this but check out this website. http://www.rsgear.com/about.html
If you were hesitant to deal with someone on-line for big parts like this, this will probably ease your concerns. It's worth reading the whole thing but make sure to go to the bottom of the page at least and read about George.

IT'S DONE, IT'S DONE IT'S DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got back from the garage. No major problems doing the swap beside the crossmember which the bolts were rusted and one broke. Besides that no biggie to replace, for them. They charged 2.3hours of labor for all of you considering using your local mechanic. Part of that remember was the problems they had with the bolts. It would have been only 2hrs labor. WELL WORTH EVERY PENNY rather than doing it yourself.

I drove it for about 1/2hr then tried the tight turns and no problems. The bezel George provided is a MOPAR OEM, looks great and snapped right in.

Just need to figure out the VIC change now. The connectors don't match up to swap red with black. I'll keep you all posted once I figure it out.

Good luck to all of you out there considering the 242/249 swap.

Just need to figure out the VIC change now. The connectors don't match up to swap red with black. I'll keep you all posted once I figure it out.

I was trying to connect the Red female conenctor to the black male conenctor because I didn't see the black female connector. Turns out is was under a some tape. Connected it and it worked fine I think.

The VIC now tells me "FULL TIME". Anyone know what this means? Is it FULL TIME 2wd, FULL TIME 4wd?

Also, as stupid as this may sound, How do I shift in/out of the different configurations 2wdFT, 4wdFT, 4wdPT..... on the 242 without grinding them? I never had to do it with the AWD 249 so instructions/warnings are requested.

If it is FULL time 4wd......it is normal for it to grab and jump on tight turns....like and other 4wd vehicle in 4wd. If the VC was bad it would shake and vibrate going straight down the road along with a loud noise when turning. Yes I am a mechanic.......30 + years and I also own a 95 GC Limited with full time 4wd. I'm not crazy about the full time bit.......it seems they were made to destroy front tires.......but I still love the vehicle. It also has the multi port fuel injected 5.2 v-8. Lots of power !!!

How can you say this A)owning the same type of vehicle and B)being a mechanic of 30+ years.

It is not normal for these to grab and jump on turns unless you have the Np242 in Part time mode.

If the viscous coupling were bad why would it vibrate going straight down the road? Since it is an extremely heavy duty case double welded I don't see how this would happen. It's not a noise it's a binding condition that is most common with these units.

I've actually cut open one of these to see why they fail and it's nothing more than the viscous fluid breaking down. It looks almost like black RTV.

If any of you are looking for a new VC rather than doing the 242 swap, here is a # where you can get a new one for $425 Phone #1-401-455-8300. Ask for Lisa. Changing the VC is pretty easy, you don't even have to remove the transfercase from the vehicle.

To R&R the VC drain the TC. Phase & remove the rear driveshaft. Remove the extension houing bolts and the two Torx bolts on top & the cover. remove the Vehicle speed sensor. Spread the snap ring where you removed the plate and slide it off. There will be two more snap rings and the VC will slide right out.

How can you say this A)owning the same type of vehicle and B)being a mechanic of 30+ years.

It is not normal for these to grab and jump on turns unless you have the Np242 in Part time mode.

If the viscous coupling were bad why would it vibrate going straight down the road? Since it is an extremely heavy duty case double welded I don't see how this would happen. It's not a noise it's a binding condition that is most common with these units.

I've actually cut open one of these to see why they fail and it's nothing more than the viscous fluid breaking down. It looks almost like black RTV.

If any of you are looking for a new VC rather than doing the 242 swap, here is a # where you can get a new one for $425 Phone #1-401-455-8300. Ask for Lisa. Changing the VC is pretty easy, you don't even have to remove the transfercase from the vehicle.
To R&R the VC drain the TC. Phase & remove the rear driveshaft. Remove the extension houing bolts and the two Torx bolts on top & the cover. remove the Vehicle speed sensor. Spread the snap ring where you removed the plate and slide it off. There will be two more snap rings and the VC will slide right out.

I agree that these shouldn't jump and hop into a parking spot. My Subaru AWD dosen't. I just bought a 95 GC with Quadra and 130k miles. I searched and read posts here but missed one thing, the coupler has to be hot to act up. I test drove the heck out of this thing doing tight circles in a parking lot.No problems. But after I bought it and drove it till normally hot the dang thing hops like a jackrabbit. I really like the vehicle and am planning to swap out the VC as Jam454 suggested. What I don't know is how to phase the driveshaft before removing. What's that mean? (Course I may know this by another term.)
Thanx

Driveshaft phasing is important for eliminating vibrations. Just mark the relationship of the driveshaft to the companion flanges so it goes back in the same way it came out. That phone # was the best price I found for VC's

Thanx!. Jam, Got it!
BD

Just a thought;

If the crow-hopping only occurs on the vehicle after its been driven for a while, it may be worth your while to check the level/state of your diff fluid. If its been a while, the limited-slip additive in the gear oil may be shot, as well as the fluid severely broken down (as was my case, the 'gear oil' looked like brack-ish water when removed, but there didn't seem to be anything else wrong in the workings other than some cleaning in order).

My '94 Quad-trac Laredo displayed the crow-hop after being driven a while, however a change of fluid front & rear has basically eliminated this condition.

If you are equipped with a limited slip, it is a good idea to change the fluid and additive periodically. Typically a limited slip differential can cause chatter but will not cause driveline wind up which causes the "tight turning feeling"

$425 for a new VC is pretty good. I've seen them for about $450. Here is a more detailed write-up on how to replace the VC without removing the case. http://nextdimensionhw.com/other/jeeptech/www/htmlfile.cgi?location=/zj/tech/np249vc.htm
Good luck.
ByronP