I'm frustrated as heck. I just picked up my '04 KJ from the dealer yesterday. They installed another 'brand new' rebuilt tranny. So what's the deal here? This is my THIRD one. I've had four Jeep YJ's over the years and thought my KJ would be comparable. I've had numerous engine issues and now numerous tranny issues. Synchro gears, etc. Now it seems this one has an idle shaft bearing issue (loud noise that's new to me). Has anyone else had any problems? Would appreciate anyone's input here....otherwise I'm going to sell it and get out while I can

Elizabeth
Vancouver, BC
Canada

Is this a 6 speed or 5?
I know that a number of people besides KJ owners who had problems with the 6 speeds when they first came out
the 5 speed is a tried and true design
It is like when they dropped the 3 speed auto in the TJ's and put in the 4 speed ,a step in the wrong direction

I heard a rumor that the problem lied in the bell housing which was not aligning the tranny proper with the engine and causing some issues but this was with the wranglers

Hey Jason, thanks......... it's a 5 speed and I honestly think the dealership is at a loss too. This, along with faulty valve springs, #5 cylinder misfires, collapsing lifters, etc leaves me wishing I'd hung onto my YJ which over the course of 11 years had virtually NO problems. The dealer also tells me that parts for the KJ's will become 'obsolete' in about 4 years. Gee, make me feel better! I've had GREAT advice from other members so far that have helped me tremendously (even helped the dealership diagnose some things). I'm grateful for all the comments everyone is kind enough to post. Have a great day!

Elizabeth

My third gear likes to pop out of gear randomly, but other than than no major problems like you describe. My problems have come from the clutch. I get major chatter every now and then, and then it goes away. Clutch doesn't slip, no smell. I was going to drop the tranny and look at the disc, but haven't had time.

stephen

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04 5sp. with mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/798121

Stephen, I've also had ALOT of clutch chatter lately. The dealership replaced my clutch once under warranty. 30,000 kilometers later and it started chattering, only in first gear. Of course by then the warranty no longer covered the clutch. I spent $1000.00 on a new clutch last month and I kept the old one they pulled off. It really wasn't that worn but there were a couple of scorch marks on the flywheel (which I had machined off). Can you tell me if your tranny is noisy while driving? ie: 1st through 3rd gear? Also, with your engine on, clutch not depressed, and tranny in neutral, is your tranny noisy? ie: can you hear the idle shaft bearing quite loudly? Thanks!

Elizabeth

Isn't that the 3550? That is head & shoulders above anything offered in the YJ & is what was offered in the later TJ's. Research needs to be done on why the trannies are failing....

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LOST # 633
'05 KJ 3.7L/6spd/241 245/75/16 MT's
'88 MJ 4.0L/AW4/231 SWB HPD30 & trac-loc D44 w/3.73's
A dirty Jeep is a happy Jeep

Yes, it's the NV3550......and I agree. I think the dealership dreads seeing me as much as I dread going there....

My NV3550 has been rock solid

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Have fun out there.

2003 Cactus Green Renegade w/ NP231 & NV3550
Al's 4th Gen UCAs
Custom 3.5" Lift
Rear DTT
Spidertraxed 245/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns

You're lucky! I'm jealous! They shipped this most recent tranny up from the USA. I figured an American one would be better for sure! Maybe it's a Canadian one in disguise...

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH *eh* WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH *hoser* WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH *buddy* WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH *touque* WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Sorry...only Canadian transmission joke I could think of.

What's failed in the transmission? Synchros? the shift forks? gears themselves? Do THEY control the HORIZONTAL and the VERTICAL?

My guess would be that if you're on your third manual trans, the problem is with something that isn't the transmission.

Also, your dealership guy is an idiot if he thinks "Parts will be obsolete in 4 years". Give him a good hard slap for me.

It's funny that you ask if the engine is running in neutral with the clutch engaged if there's a noise. Wouldn't that be a throwout bearing?

You name it - it's failed - but yes, it seems to be synchros. That's what they replaced first, along with 1st and 2nd gear. That didn't work, so in comes a new tranny. It slowly became VERY noisy & I started getting clutch chatter. They replaced synchros again along with 1st and 2nd gear. That didn't work, clutch chatter grew worse and eventually the idle shaft bearing reared it's ugly head. I had to drive it until the next tranny arrived and by the time it showed up, more often than not my Jeep wouldn't even go into 1st gear and it grew worse as the truck would heat up. Now the new tranny - shifts great, I love it, seems to be geared slightly differently but that darn idle shaft is whacked on this one too... Either my transmission is demonically possesed or these things are inherently bad

You may want to give these guys a call. All they work on are Jeeps. They do not do much with Libertys, yet, but they do know their stuff. I have had several mechanics recommend them for work that the mechanics could not do themselves because they were not set up for it. They have done a few Liberty lifts and they are seeing more of them coming in and out on the trails.

Jeap Thrills11570 Kingston St. Maple Ridge V2X 9J8 British Columbia, Canada Tel: (604) 465-5559

From what InCommando said aboout the 3550 being in TJs, they may have some answers for you. TJs and CJs are their main source of work so they might be able to at least give you some ideas.

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2006 KJ Sport, Dark Khaki, 3.7 Litre
NSG370 6 Speed Manual Transmission | NP241J Command Trac HD Part Time 4wd | 3.55s | 245/70R16 Firestone Destination A/Ts | Mopar Tow Hooks & Skids | Powerslot Brake Rotors | ARB Rear Differential Cover

Thank you! My buddy owns Gemini Stuff for Jeeps and doesn't seem to have any answers so I will definately give them a call! Very much appreciated, thanks!