Jeep Grand Cherokee new owner questions

Hi All,

I'm relatively new Jeep Grand Cherokee (-02) owner, and I'd appreciate
if some one could advise me in couple of my concerns.

1) When performing tight turnings (with slow speed e.g.), I can hear
some strange voice from the back tires. Some of the "specialists" say
that it comes from the "limited slip differentials". The voice surely
sound like something would be squeezed agains something else. Is this
typical/normal voice for a Jeep GC? Is it harmful and how can I get rid
of it?
2) How can I change the Caster values of my front wheels? The car is
wandering a bit and I know that the caster values are lower than Jeep
recommends. How stable the Jeep should be when driving straight? I
suppose my 235 tires is one factor to increase the roaming effect?

Many thanks before hand!

You can request a 'build sheet' free of charge from any Jeep dealership
parts department or via customer assistance at the jeep web site.

They don't have a special request form, in the space where you write your
question just type in 'Build Sheet Request'. The only other information you
need is the vehicle VIN number.

The build sheet will tell you all the components that were built into your
Jeep including whether you have limited slip.

You can check for limited slip yourself by jacking both rear wheels off the
ground and rotating one of them slowly. If you have limited slip or a
locker the opposite tire will rotate in the SAME direction. If you have an
'open differential' it will rotate in the REVERSE direction.


http://www-5.jeep.com/wccsapp/univer...ull&category=U


"Ray" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi All,
>
> I'm relatively new Jeep Grand Cherokee (-02) owner, and I'd appreciate
> if some one could advise me in couple of my concerns.
>
> 1) When performing tight turnings (with slow speed e.g.), I can hear
> some strange voice from the back tires. Some of the "specialists" say
> that it comes from the "limited slip differentials". The voice surely
> sound like something would be squeezed agains something else. Is this
> typical/normal voice for a Jeep GC? Is it harmful and how can I get rid
> of it?
> 2) How can I change the Caster values of my front wheels? The car is
> wandering a bit and I know that the caster values are lower than Jeep
> recommends. How stable the Jeep should be when driving straight? I
> suppose my 235 tires is one factor to increase the roaming effect?
>
> Many thanks before hand!
>

Hopefully you haven't got one of the defective Dana rear ends!

You should hear 'nothing' back there.

They made a mess of bad ones that can't keep rear axle bearings in
them. When the bearing is about to blow, it makes noise usually first.

These rear ends can be destroyed by simply jacking up the rear using the
pumpkin like lots of tire change places do.

The Jeep should be 'extremely' stable when driving straight. I can take
my hands off the wheel on both of mine on the highway and they track
straight.

There are some off set parts available to adjust things like the camber,
but wandering can just be not enough toe in. That can be set with a
tape measure....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Ray wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm relatively new Jeep Grand Cherokee (-02) owner, and I'd appreciate
> if some one could advise me in couple of my concerns.
>
> 1) When performing tight turnings (with slow speed e.g.), I can hear
> some strange voice from the back tires. Some of the "specialists" say
> that it comes from the "limited slip differentials". The voice surely
> sound like something would be squeezed agains something else. Is this
> typical/normal voice for a Jeep GC? Is it harmful and how can I get rid
> of it?
> 2) How can I change the Caster values of my front wheels? The car is
> wandering a bit and I know that the caster values are lower than Jeep
> recommends. How stable the Jeep should be when driving straight? I
> suppose my 235 tires is one factor to increase the roaming effect?
>
> Many thanks before hand!