97 ZJ: No Viscous Couplings? - North American Grand Cherokee Association

SKAWTTY · 12-31-2005, 01:34 PM

Recently purchased a 97 ZJ Limited V8 full time 4 wheel and I've been going through all these threads about this and that. "viscous couplings go out around 70,000". Well at 114,000 I figured I must be way passed due. All the info I've been able to find indicates coupling through model year 96. I guess my 249 has something else?

BeachCrawler · 01-01-2006, 05:50 AM

Mine lasted 280K before it went out. Sometimes they only act up after your been driving for 30-40 minutes on the highway.

SKAWTTY · 01-01-2006, 12:06 PM

How do they "act up"? What's an indicator that they have a problem?

BeachCrawler · 01-01-2006, 02:36 PM

It will bind and grind when you make tight turns. If you want to check it get it hot by driving awhile and then do full lock figure 8's in a parking lot. Turn teh wheel hard left and then hard right. If turns smoothly your VC is fine. If it bucks and shakes welcome to the club.

SKAWTTY · 01-01-2006, 03:29 PM

Aha! Mine must be gone, as I suspected. Now my Jeep runs and drives fine otherwise. Once I get through February and several other family birthdays I plan on doing a 231 swap and a lift wheels and tires. Any problem driving it until then?

BeachCrawler · 01-01-2006, 09:24 PM

No two jeeps are the same. Some people make it for 20K other only make for a few. I drove mine for over 10K before I replaced it but sooner is better than later. Good luck.

SKAWTTY · 01-01-2006, 11:52 PM

I've got a 23 spline NP231 on the way.

12-31-2005, 01:34 PM	#1
SKAWTTY Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 55	97 ZJ: No Viscous Couplings? Recently purchased a 97 ZJ Limited V8 full time 4 wheel and I've been going through all these threads about this and that. "viscous couplings go out around 70,000". Well at 114,000 I figured I must be way passed due. All the info I've been able to find indicates coupling through model year 96. I guess my 249 has something else?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-01-2006, 05:50 AM	#2
BeachCrawler Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 92	Mine lasted 280K before it went out. Sometimes they only act up after your been driving for 30-40 minutes on the highway.

01-01-2006, 12:06 PM	#3
SKAWTTY Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 55	How do they "act up"? What's an indicator that they have a problem?

01-01-2006, 02:36 PM	#4
BeachCrawler Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 92	It will bind and grind when you make tight turns. If you want to check it get it hot by driving awhile and then do full lock figure 8's in a parking lot. Turn teh wheel hard left and then hard right. If turns smoothly your VC is fine. If it bucks and shakes welcome to the club.

01-01-2006, 03:29 PM	#5
SKAWTTY Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 55	Aha! Mine must be gone, as I suspected. Now my Jeep runs and drives fine otherwise. Once I get through February and several other family birthdays I plan on doing a 231 swap and a lift wheels and tires. Any problem driving it until then?

01-01-2006, 09:24 PM	#6
BeachCrawler Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 92	No two jeeps are the same. Some people make it for 20K other only make for a few. I drove mine for over 10K before I replaced it but sooner is better than later. Good luck.

01-01-2006, 11:52 PM	#7
SKAWTTY Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 55	I've got a 23 spline NP231 on the way.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Nagca.com Advertisement