Transmission advice

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:09 am

Well after 155,000 of virtually trouble free driving since I drove her new off the lot in 2005 (except the windows regulators and routine maint.) I finally have a major problem.

Last night got on the highway and she started to make a weird feeling from the back end along with a noise and feeling (grind shake) at approx 60, i had just gotten on highway and she wouldn't have been even warm yet as I had driven less than a half mile to the highway from sitting at work for 5 hours. No codes at all.

The grind/shake feeling at first made me wonder if a flat but it went away then came back. I pulled over within a min , less than two to take a look. Nothing remiss outside, got back in the jeep and no forward movement when I put in Drive, only a sound my daughter compared to our 4 stroke outboard on the boat (new 9.8 Mercury so not that loud actually) reverse works fine. Again, no codes

Got it towed back to my office where she sits.

Now I could get to shop and have them start to figure out what is wrong, however that will get expensive quickly if I get a mechanic that actually digs in to the tranny.

I don't want to spend a fortune. I've had since new and in Georgia so no rust, but she is going on 13 years. I am gonna fix her however. But truthfully also going to get a new pickup I think once I figure out which one. (Thru the company).

So, l can do some work, I am fairly handy, I am NOT a tranny guy at all, and it's been over 20 years since I changed one out.. that said if I recall it's more annoying than "hard" and I am actually quite busy with my company and family. A quick google found me reman units in the $1500-1800 range. Used I see all over but pretty sure I can get one with less then 100K for under $700 at which maybe finding someone to switch it out would make sense. If I go used route then using the new TC makes no sense I guess..in which case any recommendations?

I know some folks here are much better versed than I and would appreciate the advice.

In the mean time I am driving my old beater 2000 Mazda B2500 which has it's own issues with 300,000 on the clock..LOL. But it's been my beater and getting a new truck was a low priority as the Jeep was running great and frankly looks like it's only 4-5 years old

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:57 am

First thing I would do is check the trans fluid level.
With the engine idling in N, the fluid should be above the FULL HOT mark.

When was the last time the fluid and filters were changed?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:07 pm

You have to make some choices!
Do you want to rebuild tranny or replace it with a used transmission, or a reman unit?
Several on LOST have installed a used transmission & TC from a Hemi truck with good reported results.

Sent you a PM

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:22 pm

flash7210 wrote:

First thing I would do is check the trans fluid level.
With the engine idling in N, the fluid should be above the FULL HOT mark.

When was the last time the fluid and filters were changed?

about 20,000 ago, level ok, clear and no smell

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:49 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

Sent you a PM

thanks, replied in PM

joe_ · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:04 pm

Try putting the transfer case in 4 Low and see if it moves forward then. A couple people on here have had a similar problem, and it turned out to be the High gearing in the transfer case. I don't think they could go in reverse, though, so it may not be the same thing.

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:17 pm

Rear driveshaft u-joint

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cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:53 pm

WolverineFW wrote:

Rear driveshaft u-joint

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

OK, i would not have thought that.. can you explain a bit?

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:56 pm

joe_ wrote:

Try putting the transfer case in 4 Low and see if it moves forward then. A couple people on here have had a similar problem, and it turned out to be the High gearing in the transfer case. I don't think they could go in reverse, though, so it may not be the same thing.

OK, owe you a beer sir. It will indeed move forward in 4lo.

I will say again that I am fairly tranny ignorant and also very know little to nada regarding 4wd systems.
So, i assume now it is not likely my transmission but my transfer case.

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 3:01 pm

Upon thinking it's been at least 6 years and about 70-80k since I changed Transfer Case fluid, that seems like it may have been a mistake to ignore. I "thought" I was OK as mostly highway and not using the 4wd. I do however occasion pull a small 4x10 trailer with less than 5-600 lbs in it.

I did at one time pull our 19 ft Hybrid camper but haven't used it in forever, in fact one of the reasons I haven't changed the TC fluid, it was after our last camping trip I changed it.. which reminds me it either time to use of sell the camper.. LOL

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 3:08 pm

Well at least you know it's the transfer case now.

It is rebuildable, much easier and less expensive than transmission. :wink:

This is a rebuild kit:

This is what it looks like inside:

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 4:14 pm

Could just be a stuck linkage.
Try driving it in all transfer case positions and it might fix itself.
Starting in 4-low, then full-time, then part-time, then 2wd.

The transfer case likes to get hung up in some positions. Its best to change positions while rolling slowly with the transmission in N.

IDK why it would work in R and not D but who knows, weird things happen sometimes.

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 4:33 pm

flash7210 wrote:

Could just be a stuck linkage.
Try driving it in all transfer case positions and it might fix itself.
Starting in 4-low, then full-time, then part-time, then 2wd.

The transfer case likes to get hung up in some positions. Its best to change positions while rolling slowly with the transmission in N.

IDK why it would work in R and not D but who knows, weird things happen sometimes.

no luck at all with that. 4 low will work, any other transfer case position and it starts grinding sound and no love. :-(

Well, at least thanks to you I have a place to work from, thank you very much.

Now to decide on try to rebuild myself(never done one before but looks manageable.. I think LOL, have someone else do, buy and use a used unit or a reman unit.

Remans are around a grand (umm oww) looks like used are around $250-350 and a kit not counting chain is around $100 and another $100 for a chain.

Those that are experienced with these have any advice?

Myke · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 4:56 pm

If you have another car or way to get around I'd say rebuild it. If it's your only transportation I'd just buy a used one with less miles.

rancherman · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 5:56 pm

cerich wrote:

flash7210 wrote:

Could just be a stuck linkage.
Try driving it in all transfer case positions and it might fix itself.
Starting in 4-low, then full-time, then part-time, then 2wd.

The transfer case likes to get hung up in some positions. Its best to change positions while rolling slowly with the transmission in N.

IDK why it would work in R and not D but who knows, weird things happen sometimes.

no luck at all with that. 4 low will work, any other transfer case position and it starts grinding sound and no love. :-(

Well, at least thanks to you I have a place to work from, thank you very much.

Now to decide on try to rebuild myself(never done one before but looks manageable.. I think LOL, have someone else do, buy and use a used unit or a reman unit.

Remans are around a grand (umm oww) looks like used are around $250-350 and a kit not counting chain is around $100 and another $100 for a chain.

Those that are experienced with these have any advice?

Get it apart, and see what's destroyed before buying a kit! You may be dealing with some spun bearings, and the case(s) might be toast. You might be looking at a lot more damage than what a kit will fix.
You're correct, a typical take out transfer case runs 250-350 bucks. You can either install it 'as is'... and take your chances, or freshen it up for a couple hundred. Still cheaper than a rebuilt.

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 6:33 pm

rancherman wrote:

cerich wrote:

flash7210 wrote:

Could just be a stuck linkage.
Try driving it in all transfer case positions and it might fix itself.
Starting in 4-low, then full-time, then part-time, then 2wd.

The transfer case likes to get hung up in some positions. Its best to change positions while rolling slowly with the transmission in N.

IDK why it would work in R and not D but who knows, weird things happen sometimes.

no luck at all with that. 4 low will work, any other transfer case position and it starts grinding sound and no love. :-(

Well, at least thanks to you I have a place to work from, thank you very much.

Now to decide on try to rebuild myself(never done one before but looks manageable.. I think LOL, have someone else do, buy and use a used unit or a reman unit.

Remans are around a grand (umm oww) looks like used are around $250-350 and a kit not counting chain is around $100 and another $100 for a chain.

Those that are experienced with these have any advice?

Get it apart, and see what's destroyed before buying a kit! You may be dealing with some spun bearings, and the case(s) might be toast. You might be looking at a lot more damage than what a kit will fix.
You're correct, a typical take out transfer case runs 250-350 bucks. You can either install it 'as is'... and take your chances, or freshen it up for a couple hundred. Still cheaper than a rebuilt.

sounds like sound advice.. I'm gonna get it off and take a quick look and then decide next steps.

I do have a back up car I can use.. my 300k 2000 B2500 that has a couple issues but will drive..LOL and a back up to that called the wife and her minvan. :-)

I did find a reman transfer case for $900 delivered which depending on what I see when I pop the top may be the way to go. Your logic is sound for sure

LarryK · **Joined:** Thu Apr 27, 2017 12:07 pm **Posts:** 5

I bought a 2005 from my nephew with a frozen transfer case. Bought one on Ebay for $165.00 including shipping from salvage yard. They shipped the wrong one (231). When I notified them they immediately shipped out the correct one (full time 4W). They told me to just keep the first one as it would cost too much to ship back. Had installed for $185.00 and works fine. PM me if you are interested in the seller .

Larry

ea

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:14 pm

LarryK wrote:

I bought a 2005 from my nephew with a frozen transfer case. Bought one on Ebay for $165.00 including shipping from salvage yard. They shipped the wrong one (231). When I notified them they immediately shipped out the correct one (full time 4W). They told me to just keep the first one as it would cost too much to ship back. Had installed for $185.00 and works fine. PM me if you are interested in the seller .

Larry

Thanks!

ea

cerich · **Posted:** Sat Feb 10, 2018 7:15 pm

LarryK wrote:

I bought a 2005 from my nephew with a frozen transfer case. Bought one on Ebay for $165.00 including shipping from salvage yard. They shipped the wrong one (231). When I notified them they immediately shipped out the correct one (full time 4W). They told me to just keep the first one as it would cost too much to ship back. Had installed for $185.00 and works fine. PM me if you are interested in the seller .

Larry

Thanks!

ea

joe_ · **Posted:** Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:47 pm

These are the other threads I was thinking of; they may have some useful information in them

LOST JEEPS • View topic - Transfer Case? - http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=86463
LOST JEEPS • View topic - Transmission / Transfer Case Problems (SOLVED) - http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=87064

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