Tutorial: removing the viscous coupler (photos)

CJF · 01-24-07, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretejungle

yes, please do tell. I have a terrible suspision that i may be having some of the same issues.

When i turn sharp in a parking lot, i feel an almost wiggle as if a wheel is loose, or an inner wheel is binding.

Don't forget that it's easy to test...

landtank · 01-24-07, 09:08 PM

I get a groan from somewhere when I shift from D to R or vice versa. I've suspected the VC for 4 years.

IdahoDoug · 01-24-07, 10:19 PM

Rick,

I get a muffled groan also once in a while on D to R in the 97 - never on the 93. Almost a brief hydraulic whine - perhaps .5 seconds.

Hey for you guys thinking of opening your VCs just a word of warning to be cautious in case there's a pressure buildup of some sort in it. I honestly don't know if it can still exist after the unit's cool but I know in operation they can have tremendous internal pressure from heat. Use caution, eye protection, condom, etc

DougM

UpsideDown · 01-24-07, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romer

Did this fix Ironpuppy's binding issue? If so, pictures of the coupler with a guess what caused it would be useful in this thread.

I'll post an update after a test drive.

If IronYuppy gives his permission, the VC unit may have a play date with Makita and Zip Cut

concretejungle · 01-25-07, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJF

Don't forget that it's easy to test...

I've checked for loose wheel bearings, but i have not tried to put it on jack stands and try to lock the CDL and see what's spinning.

IronYuppy · 01-25-07, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UpsideDown

I'll post an update after a test drive.

If IronYuppy gives his permission, the VC unit may have a play date with Makita and Zip Cut

Hell, yeah, let the autopsy begin!

IronYuppy · 01-25-07, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretejungle

I've checked for loose wheel bearings, but i have not tried to put it on jack stands and try to lock the CDL and see what's spinning.

Don't rely 100% on that test. I did the same thing, and everything appeared normal. I guess it depends on how much resistance the viscous coupler gives when you're spinning the wheels freely.

The hard-boiled test was to lock the centre diff lock in high range, remove the front shaft, and go for a drive. In my case, disengaging the front axle from the drivetrain cleaned-up all the noise/binding issues, so that proved the problem was somewhere at the other end of the driveshaft.

CJF · 01-25-07, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

Don't rely 100% on that test. I did the same thing, and everything appeared normal.

You did the following test, and the raised wheel spun freely??

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikePL

Another way to find out if your VC is dead is to raise one wheel (tranny in N, transfer case in N). In the N/N position the wheel should move rather freely when you rotate it by hand.

IronYuppy · 01-25-07, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJF

You did the following test, and the raised wheel spun freely??

yup.

RavenTai · 01-25-07, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

Don't rely 100% on that test. I did the same thing, and everything appeared normal. I guess it depends on how much resistance the viscous coupler gives when you're spinning the wheels freely.

that test works great to find a locked up VC, if you are getting binding from the VC wile driving but not static you should look very closely at all your tires and make sure they are all the same size.

Romer · 01-27-07, 09:20 PM

Ironpuppy, did this fix your binding problem?

IronYuppy · 01-28-07, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romer

Ironpuppy, did this fix your binding problem?

Yes, 110%. The love affair is back on.

TORTUS · 03-15-07, 12:31 AM

Does anyone have the part # and/or price for the Viscous Coupler? I have tried to find it at my local dealership parts counter and we can't figure out which part it is on the expanded parts screen. I don't know if we're looking at the wrong page or what.

If the cost is to high then I am going to look at buying Slee's part time 4wd kit.

Thanks!

reffug · 03-15-07, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TORTUS

Does anyone have the part # and/or price for the Viscous Coupler? I have tried to find it at my local dealership parts counter and we can't figure out which part it is on the expanded parts screen. I don't know if we're looking at the wrong page or what.

If the cost is to high then I am going to look at buying Slee's part time 4wd kit.

Thanks!

Have you called Cdan? He will know the part # I'm sure and will give you a better price than your local dealership. Just 02.

TORTUS · 03-15-07, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reffug

Have you called Cdan? He will know the part # I'm sure and will give you a better price than your local dealership. Just 02.

Good point, Thanks!

CJF · 03-15-07, 04:03 PM

Tortus, what's up? Is yours seized?

Curtis

TORTUS · 03-15-07, 04:21 PM

Yeah, it sure seems like it. I have been wondering if it was a problem, I just replaced my U-joints and with both DS's removed, tcase and trans in neutral, I could not rotate the output flanges in opposite directions. I also did the "one wheel off the ground test with both cases in N and DS's installed and could not rotate the tire, I do know that my front locker was unlocked for that test.

There is of course the other problem I am having, my CDL isn't working, I installed the switch, tested it and no locky (lights anyways), put it in 4lo, no locky. Hopefully (I think) it is something where the CDL is staying engaged and I can fix that, but everything I have read indicates that the CDL light would be on if it were stuck in lock. Although I can feel a difference when the CDL is engaged, the output won't rotate opposite each other at all, when the CDL is unlocked there is about 30 degrees or so of opposite direction rotation before the outputs stop turning.

Any other advice/checks?

CJF · 03-16-07, 12:13 PM

Tortus,

If money is a big concern, don't forget that you can simply remove the VC and run indefinitely without it.

Curtis

TORTUS · 03-16-07, 07:31 PM

Thanks CJF, I was thinking that would be my next option, along with adding the part time kit.

Fortunatly/hopefully I won't have to deal with that! I just purchased a used (88k) trany and tcase today

for a good price! I am hoping the VC is good out of the Tcase and I will have the rest for spare parts

Couldn't pass up the deal, so sometime next week I should know.

CJF · 03-17-07, 10:06 AM

Keep us posted...

rpfzj80 · 03-20-07, 10:08 AM

If anyone has yanked a failed VC, let me know. I could use one for a project...sooo don't throw it out drop me a PM or something and I will pay to have it shipped to me if someone is willing to put it in the mail.

Rich

IronYuppy · 03-20-07, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpfzj80

If anyone has yanked a failed VC, let me know. I could use one for a project...sooo don't throw it out drop me a PM or something and I will pay to have it shipped to me if someone is willing to put it in the mail.

Rich

Upsidedown has my failed VC in his shop. He was going to cut it open out of curiosity, but I don't know if he did. If you want it, it's yours. Just let me or Upsidedown know. Shipping from Canada, though... the VC assembly is about 40lbs.

IronYuppy · 03-20-07, 11:05 AM

BTW, MikePL thanks for the OP. Really well done.

MikePL · 03-20-07, 11:36 AM

I'm glad that you liked it, Iron :-)

rpfzj80, I also have a VC that I don't need but that's too far to send it. Surely someone near you will chime in. What's the project all about? Any attempts to repair a VC? From my understanding of the mechanics of a VC it seems that all the plates are bent and twisted from the heat inside and that causes a seizure. So probably there is no way to repair. But as soon as it gets warm here, I will go outside (no garage) with my cutter and post pics of the internals.

rpfzj80 · 03-20-07, 12:34 PM

Hmmm, that might be a bit costly, but then again ground shipping has gotten cheaper. Does it really weigh 40 lbs...I know they're heavy but that seems high. If shipping was less than say 20 bucks or so, it would probably be worth it.

Anyone near CA have a trashed VC?

Rich

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronYuppy

Upsidedown has my failed VC in his shop. He was going to cut it open out of curiosity, but I don't know if he did. If you want it, it's yours. Just let me or Upsidedown know. Shipping from Canada, though... the VC assembly is about 40lbs.

Proven · 03-20-07, 05:14 PM

So let me get this right, because my feable brain sometimes has hard times with big words and numbers.

You can remove the VC without any change in the current drivability of the truck?

How is it off-road without the VC?

Mine turns but sometimes seems like it requires the force of hogan to get the wheel around. I think that just might be how a 10 year old power steering system just is....but then again I can be a hypochondriac sometimes.

CJF · 03-20-07, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proven

So let me get this right, because my feable brain sometimes has hard times with big words and numbers.

You can remove the VC without any change in the current drivability of the truck?

How is it off-road without the VC?

Mine turns but sometimes seems like it requires the force of hogan to get the wheel around. I think that just might be how a 10 year old power steering system just is....but then again I can be a hypochondriac sometimes.

Do the "one wheel off the ground" test mentioned (several times?) in this thread.

rpfzj80 · 03-22-07, 08:45 AM

Sooo, anyone else have a trashed VC they would be willing to part with? Near to CA would be ideal...either way my dime for shipping.

Rich

trainrech · 09-10-07, 09:59 AM

Kind of resurrecting this thread as it appears I'm heading down this path. I don't have a binding issue, but have a lot of noise at highway speed from the transfer case. Put it up on a lift and put a set of ears on it and the transfer is howling at 45 and above. Both output bearings look good - no play, no seepage.

This sounds like the most cost effective "fix" for my pocketbook. Any other drawbacks and/or issues that have come up now that a few people of have done this?

knorrena · 09-10-07, 12:16 PM

Can VC be recharged, in other words, can the silicone fluid be replaced and rejuvenate the VC?

Karl