[Cliffy [JD]]

I've been having this wierd problem with the Driveline in my 96 XJ(AUTO). After the vehicle warms up everything seems to be fine until I come to a stop sign or light. If I stop abruptly I can feel a *harsh dowshift*(as though I just did a neutral drop) but if I coast into it nice and slow it's fine until I take off, then it kicks down (again like a neutral drop)

I can adjust how harsly all of this happens with how I apply the brakes at the end of a stop or how rapidly I accelerate. Also it does NOT happen when the vehicle is Cold or below 100 degrees.

I was thinking it was my Tranny, but when I shift into 4wd everything performs normally. So now I'm thiniking it is my Rear Ring and Pinion or my transfercase, but then it runs normally when in 4wd so maybe not the X-fer?

I had someone else cycle through D, N, and R gears while I looked under it, and there was a lot of movement at the rear pinion and a much smaller amount when 4wd is engaged.

So anyone else experience problems like this? Have any Idea what the specific cause is?

Anyone ever have ring and pinion gears go bad? what's that like?

PS: for those not farmiliar with a "Neutral Drop" or my terminology of the same. It is when you rev your engine up while in neutral then shift into drive (while still on the gas) in an effort to spin the tires or get a good launch. The effect of this is usually a trashed U-joint(s)/tranny/D-shaft.

 

[Cliffy [JD]]

Nope! Tranny fluid is SLIGHTLY* above full.

UNLESS you mean in the rear end, but I don't know since you didn't specify??

I plan on changing/checking the rear axle fluid next week!

Two questions:

If the fluid is low, that means it's been low for over a year. If this is the case, should a gear or axle swap be considered??

How much fluid should I expect to come out of the rear when I drain it??