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  • November 21, 2024, 07:53:44 AM

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Author Topic: Viscous coupling failure?  (Read 7032 times)

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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Viscous coupling failure?
« on: January 31, 2021, 08:51:02 PM »
Hello, I just bought a museum kept 1981 limited wagon from a gentleman in Atkins Virginia who claimed to have hauled the car down from Ohio on a tow dolly. Is this a likely reason the car is slipping in 2 wheel drive? If there’s a post covering this I apologize but I’ve been reading for a few hours now and haven’t found anything relevant. Should the cars with viscous coupling be hauled on a flatbed?
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Online Taylor

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2021, 09:10:54 PM »
Flatbed, definitely. They only way to use a tow dolly is to remove the driveshafts.
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2021, 09:43:31 PM »
So this would explain why it’s slipping now in 2wd and working as it should in 4wd?
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2021, 09:47:53 PM »
And if so, what needs to be done to correct the problem?
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Offline rmick

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2021, 10:38:14 PM »
When you say slipping in it tries to move or doesn't move at all. Could be the actuator is not moving completely and is in false neutral on the transfer case. You can manually move the lever from under the car from one position to the other to insure it is not sticking in mid position.
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Offline rmick

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2021, 10:43:19 PM »
Here is a guy sounds like he had similar problem http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=46228.msg357923#msg357923
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2021, 12:30:05 PM »
It goes but there’s obvious slipping. When I try to pull a hill I hear it Erving but I have to put it in 4wd to get up the hill.
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2021, 12:46:50 PM »
Reving*
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Offline 4x4jollyr

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2021, 01:28:10 PM »
I thought 1981 eagle was 4WD all the time, no shifter??
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2021, 01:30:34 PM »
Mine is 1981 and has select shift on the dash.
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Offline AMC of Houston

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2021, 05:28:37 PM »
Hear any noise from the rear right side??   Could be the dreaded busted right axle (axle spinning in the hub).
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2021, 05:50:41 PM »
Yes there was a noise coming from the rear sounded like a bearing going out. So a roaring type noise.
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Offline Still Pat

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2021, 06:00:21 PM »
Quote from: 4x4jollyr on February 01, 2021, 01:28:10 PM
I thought 1981 eagle was 4WD all the time, no shifter??

My first Eagle was an '81. It was full time, no switch. I bought it NEW off the dealer's lot, so I know it was factory!
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Offline vangremlin

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2021, 07:41:18 PM »
Quote from: 4x4jollyr on February 01, 2021, 01:28:10 PM
I thought 1981 eagle was 4WD all the time, no shifter??

They changed to "switch-able" 4WD part ways through the 1981 model year.
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Offline Jward408.jw2

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Re: Viscous coupling failure?
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2021, 09:03:12 PM »
I’ll check the axle out and keep everyone posted. Thanks for the info.
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