What is a Viscous Coupler? And how do I fix it?

So my 1994 cherokee was identified with a Viscous Coupler that's going out on me. I know this is in my move case, but how serious is this problem? Do I replace the Viscous Coupler, or the whole move case? How mechanically inclined must I be to do this?

its a great cherokee

A viscous coupler is a sealed, liquid filled clutch pack in the move case. To replace the coupler you'll have to remove and tear down the move case. typically these coupler are quite costly, you may be able to find a reman move case or a used one cheaper.

ford tech

You must get a fix manual on the move case, remove it from the truck, and REPLACE it. Unfortunately that's around $700 in parts. Now, I assume you have constant and unlockable four wheel drive correct?.If not,,you do not have one.

WAIT A MINUTE&gt,&gt,&gt,You said Cherokee,,not great Cherokee???????????? YOU don't HAVE ONE. FIND SOMEONE HONEST..

Ok,,with new info..yes, you do have a viscous clutch in that move case..Consider one of the other cases in that year as a less costly alternative, but you'll have to check carefully parts interchangeablitly.

your vehicle’s four wheel drive is full time prepared but is rear wheel drive most of the time. Most of the available engine torque/power is directed to the rear wheels throughout normal driving. When the weather becomes a challenge a device in the move case called a viscous coupler will direct the engine power to the front wheels also. The transition from two to four and back to two wheel drive is seamless unless the viscous coupler is starting to fail. When a viscous coupler starts to fail they seem to like to lock into the four wheel drive mode and stay there. The fix requires a substitute viscous coupler. usually this may be replaced without removing the move case from the car. A word of caution, if the viscous coupler is failing it needs to be replaced. although your car is a four wheel type car is it not supposed to be operated in four wheel drive all the time. If driven too long in 4wd, damage to the drive train of the car can happen. Dealer says about $2000. to replace,check you are self. go to this link for a page full of usefull links:
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How many miles on your great ?, The liquid has it ever been changed ?, If it just starting to make sound and does not have a ton of miles on it, I'd start by draining it look at the color of the liquid, run some cheep Tanny liquid thought it, fill with cheep Tanny liquid drive five to ten miles, drain it again and fill with a good syntactic liquid that the great calls for, this may help it if at isn't to bad, you may have to done it two or three times, good luck I have saved some T Case's this way on all wheel drive ford explorers.

cherokee or great cherokee. if cherokee, you may want to most likely not try this yourself considering that it doesnt have one. if great, still should not attempt to replace. simply exchange out the move case all together with another Quadra Trac