Binding in Left front end on 06 Commander

medic11 · 08-21-2008, 04:32 PM

I have a 2006 Commander and for the past few months I have been having a problem in the left front end. When my jeep has been sitting for acouple hours, and you get into it to back out or go forward and turn, there is a binding type sound in the left front end. You can actually see the tire jerking when you are turning going in motion. After a few minutes the sound is gone when you turn the wheel. But once you leave the jeep sit awhile it will be back. I have had the jeep to the dealership four time now and they are not able to fix it, beacuse they said they do not know what the problem is. They have changed the differential fluid and that didn't help. I am to my whitts end and please please please say someone can help me! If anyone know what the problem is or have had the problem please let me know and how to fix it! thanks

---- · 08-21-2008, 04:56 PM

It sounds like the viscous coupler in the T-case is worn. How many miles are on this Jeep? I wonder if it's seen much off-road action...

(the viscous coupler is a device which slips torque between the front and rear axles, its similar to a clutch and is inside the transfer case) ---I may be way off, but this sounds similar to an issue with a V-coupler I experienced in the past.

--Anyone else have a guess?

medic11 · 08-21-2008, 07:45 PM

I have 24135 miles on my jeep and it has never seen off road action. The miles is mostly highway miles. The binding and the jerking of the tire is only the left front. Any other suggestions?

rwmorrisonjr · 08-21-2008, 09:15 PM

Might be the CV joint binding up, or an issue with the front differential. Time for a quick visit to your local service department for some warranty work.

Edit: What drive system do you have: QT1, QT2 or QD2?

medic11 · 08-21-2008, 09:21 PM

Would the CV joint or the front differential cause the binding sound and make the front tire jerk. And why would the problem only happen when my jeep has been sitting still. The worst time it happenes is in the morning when I back out and turn the wheel, but once i get going down the road straight and I turn the noise is gone until i stop for a couple hours! Also the binding doesn't happen when i turn the wheel sitting still, it happens when i am turning the wheel going in motion, front or backwards. Thanks for all the help, and any other ideas anyone?!!!

Glenzo · 08-21-2008, 10:51 PM

I have exactly the same problem in my hemi Grand with 40k and no off road. It binds after sitting for a few hours turning left or right, forward or reverse.

I had the diffs and trans case serviced at the dealer and the problem went away for about 2 weeks but it has returned now.

I am pretty sure it is the front diff and not the trans case. My guess is the clutches are grabbing in the front limited slip. New fluid in the diff seemed to make it a little better.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will chime in and point me in the right direction as this is chewing up my front tires.

My 5 star dealer is clueless so I would like to go in armed with some facts to point them in the right direction.

medic11 · 08-23-2008, 12:46 PM

I also had the differential fluid changed at 18000 miles and it didn't help a bit with the sound. The dealer has worked on this problem four times now and still have no idea whats wrong. The worst part is when I drive the jeep to the dealership it is not making the noise and the mechanics think I am crazy, but finally one day they let it sit all day and then it started binding on them.
What is the trans case b/c I don't think they looked at that.

---- · 08-23-2008, 05:41 PM

The T-case (if I read you right) is located just about dead-center of the under body. You'll see a drive shaft in front and back.

Sorry if this was not the info you were looking for.

Edit: And as for your one wheel, I would guess the ELSD is "open" at low speeds; thus this might be a possibility (I think).

lbdyll · 08-25-2008, 12:53 AM

I kinda have the same problem, when i turn left in a parking lot at slow speeds the front left binds. Havent taken it to the dealer yet but plan on it before the warranty runs out. By the way i have a 06 Laredo 4.7L with QTII

Glenzo · 08-25-2008, 02:11 PM

OK FWIW. Somebody with alot more knowlege than me said get the dealer to test for a bad front wheel speed sensor. Might be worth a try.

crboggs · 09-18-2008, 08:25 AM

I'm having pretty much the exact same issue on my '04 Grand Cherokee LTD.

It binds on a hard left hand turn but only in the morning or after sitting for an extended period of time.

I had the original transfer case service and the fluid replaced and it was quiet for a few weeks before the binding returned.

I had the transfer case replaced under warranty at 69k miles and it was quiet for a week before the noise returned.

I then had the replacement transfer case replaced and it was quiet for about a month before the noise returned this week...at 71000 miles...after barely 1500 miles of driving.

So I'm on my third transfer case with the same original issue that was reported and worked on under warranty.

I'm going to push the dealer to look into the front diff, axle joints, and the wheel speed sensor as others have mentioned in this thread already.

With a little luck and persuasion I am hoping to get the dealer to admit that this is the same ongoing issue that was tackled as warranty work. I'm not about to replaced a transfer case out of my pocket after the three previous cases didn't fix the binding noise.

Glenzo · 09-18-2008, 07:38 PM

Here are some articles with regard to binding transfer cases as well as "chatter-free" T case fluid. Some other interesting stuff on this site.

http://rsgear.com/transfer.asp

This is a pretty good explanation of troubleshooting AWD T case problems.

http://rsgear.com/articles/2006_02.pdf

TRZ · 09-18-2008, 08:01 PM

This seems a little too obvious, but what about a sometimes-sticking brake caliper?

OfficerRabbit · 06-22-2009, 09:15 PM

Has anyone resolved the issue yet? I'm having a very similar problem on my 05' GC with QDII.

Glenzo · 06-23-2009, 08:45 PM

Well, mine just went away and has not been binding for about 8 or 10 months.

09-18-2008, 08:25 AM	#11
crboggs Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Same issue here... I'm having pretty much the exact same issue on my '04 Grand Cherokee LTD. It binds on a hard left hand turn but only in the morning or after sitting for an extended period of time. I had the original transfer case service and the fluid replaced and it was quiet for a few weeks before the binding returned. I had the transfer case replaced under warranty at 69k miles and it was quiet for a week before the noise returned. I then had the replacement transfer case replaced and it was quiet for about a month before the noise returned this week...at 71000 miles...after barely 1500 miles of driving. So I'm on my third transfer case with the same original issue that was reported and worked on under warranty. I'm going to push the dealer to look into the front diff, axle joints, and the wheel speed sensor as others have mentioned in this thread already. With a little luck and persuasion I am hoping to get the dealer to admit that this is the same ongoing issue that was tackled as warranty work. I'm not about to replaced a transfer case out of my pocket after the three previous cases didn't fix the binding noise.

08-21-2008, 04:56 PM	#2
---- Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: * Posts: 682 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It sounds like the viscous coupler in the T-case is worn. How many miles are on this Jeep? I wonder if it's seen much off-road action... (the viscous coupler is a device which slips torque between the front and rear axles, its similar to a clutch and is inside the transfer case) ---I may be way off, but this sounds similar to an issue with a V-coupler I experienced in the past. --Anyone else have a guess?

08-23-2008, 05:41 PM	#8
---- Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: * Posts: 682 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	The T-case (if I read you right) is located just about dead-center of the under body. You'll see a drive shaft in front and back. Sorry if this was not the info you were looking for. Edit: And as for your one wheel, I would guess the ELSD is "open" at low speeds; thus this might be a possibility (I think).