okay, I am trying to figure out if I have busted my tranny or not. It's a stock AX5 with about 130k on it. Started making a loud clacking sound kinda like a baseball card in the spokes except slighty metallic. The sound comes from the front of the tranny/bellhousing area. does it regardless of gear, or clutch position and seems to match the engine speed. No odd vibrations from the tranny, so I am thinking more in the bellhousing but what the hell would make a noise like this up there? It also doesn't happen all of the time, kicks in first time at about 4k rpm them holds from then out. If it's the tranny, great another excuse to upgrade, but I'm not gonna ditch it yet if it ain't bad. any thoughts

It sounds like you have to remove the playing cards in the bell housing. This usually happens to all newbies........:flipoff2:

Given the slightly metallic sound, might I guess that it's an ace of spades?

cm "spade, shovel, metal, metallic .... oh yeah, en fuego!" k

what are you doing above 4k rpm with a 4 banger? seriously. those things suck once you pass 3700.

it's an AX5. junk it and get something beefier.

grinding/rattling usually means something is toast. take it to a tranny shop for diagnosis, they'll probly tell you what it is and give you an estimate for free.

:flipoff2: but the cards in there gave it that cool harley sound for so many years. I would love to junk the thing, but I can't get the $$ together to do it right now. besides, I still got a 4banger hamster wheel up front, so why bother (yet). Guess I will have to try a shop, just that they don't like to give it back after telling you what's wrong for free and I do my own work:jeep: :nuke:

Pop for a Jeep TJ FSM > $100

Set aside a weekend and tear that whore out. I yanked and spanked my AX15 with no more than common handtools ... and the FSM. The AX5 won't be any different or harder to work on.

It should be very simple to find the "magic card." Once you do, I believe that 4 Wheel Drive Hardware has all the parts and pieces for the AX trannies.

cm "I kid you not, I ended up with extra parts after my tranny rebuild ... and the beatch still works" k

what about all that shit about exact tolerances and stuff? or does everything just slide back into place nicely? I F%$king hate pulling that transmission. :mad2: :skull:

Originally posted by Culpies
what about all that shit about exact tolerances and stuff? or does everything just slide back into place nicely? I F%$king hate pulling that transmission. :mad2: :skull:

From your description, it doesn't sound like your problem is related to a tolerance being off.

The FSM will also walk you through all the intracacies of dismantling the tranny. Trust me when I say that $100 for a genuine Jeep TJ FSM is well worth the money.

cm "Chiltons and Haynes ain't got nuthin' on the real deal" k

If the noise moves in relation to the RPM, and it makes the noise with the clutch in and the vehicle not moving, you have an engine problem.

If it's kind of slow and up high, it's probably a rocker arm or push rod.

If it's down deep, it's probably a rod bearing.
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If the clutch is in, and the vehicle isn't moving, and the noise is still happening, it can't be the transmission. (Transmission isn't turning)
Ergo, it has to be something in/ on the engine.
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I just bought a nice little S-10 4X4 for $1,500 because the guy said it was blown up.
Turned out to be the alternator making noise...

I bought a Jeep a few years ago that was 'Blown up' because it was making a knocking sound, I replaced the cracked exhaust manifold and drove it for about 6 years...

Don't jump to conclusions... It will cost you money.

CMK didn't ya notice when you went from a 5 spd before to a 4 spd after. :flipoff2:

Kris

I only have 5 speeds? I thought I had 7; first, second, third, fourth, fifth, reverse, and neutral.

I hope I only lost neutral.

cm "there's always a comedian" k

The sound is down deep would swear it is coming from right around the bell housing, but I guess it could be coming from something down low in the engine as well. Makes even more sense given that the sound is there with the clutch in. Makes me wish I had the $$ for a V8:D

Could be the end crank bearing, how is your oil pressure?

I would pull the pan and check it out. Certainly wouldnt rev it to 4k anymore until you check it out.


BlueYJ:cool2:

Or the thrust bearing. Two questions: First, is it kind of a banging noise, like hitting a metal plate with a hammer? Second, does the noise stop/decrease after the engine warms up. If the answer to both is "yes", reach for your wallet. May well be the thrust bearing. Just had this happen on my '64 Mustang and needed a complete rebuild.

well, it actaully doesn't start till the engine warms up, so I doubt the thrust bearing. and I am not sure about the oil pressure, since my guage doesn't work these days. I think I have a line on a cheap engine, so I am probably gonna just pull it

Mine was making a bunch of noise (I have a t176 tho) and it would make the noise, in all the gears, but would kind of go away in top gear. My tranny guy said it sounded like the main bearing (right on the front) and when I pulled it to replace the clutch, we pulled it out and it was really beat. Looked like it would have calved any day.

Just a word of caution...we looked in the 4wd catalog, and saw a new one was only $30. We figured this would be representative, so I told him to go ahead and order one and install it. I let my guard down....

He ordered it from his regular parts guy in town, as he always does cause then he can get it hte next day....the MECHANIC'S price for the damn thing thru a parts store (and NOT thru an outfit that buys them wholesale, like 4wd or Quadratec) was $75!!! I ended up getting nailed for $100 tranny repair that I could have done myself, but since I thought I'd be getting out of it cheap, let my transmission guy do it.

Keep your guard up!

Boots

Yeah I don't count reverse and forgot about the variable speed gear(neutral), ya know the one where your going really slow at the top of the and HOLY SHIIIIT PUT YOUR HEAD BETWEEN YOUR LEGS AND KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE at the bottom, also known as the I lost my brakes gear.

Kris