musikman43155

I'm new to Jeep's and auto repair in general. I just introduced myself in the "New guy" forum.

I have a 1989 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 2 dr 4.0 5 speed with about 165,000 miles I will buying a week from tomorrow for $700. I looked @ the XJ today while the guy had the Jeep running. The transmission is soo sloppy feeling that you can hardly tell it's in gear. Whether this is due to worn bushings, or that thick rubber boot or what, I don't know.

Now, is there a kit or something that can be done to give this tranny more definition? Again I know almost nothing about about how to repair/trouble shoot/ fix a jeep or any other vehicle.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

chilll14me

Its got a Peugot tranmission more than likely...total junk. My reverse failed on mine right after i lifted it and still had 215 tires on it . Best thing to do is not take it a long distance form home and find a ax-15 out of 91 and later xjs or a aw-4 automatic to swap in it! Good-Luck!!!

musikman43155

There is a guy with a 97 Cherokee he's parting out due to a rollover. It has the AX-15 tranny I assume? He's asking $200.

Is that a good price?

So is the Peugot tranny complete junk?

ZachsXJ

Yes the Peugeot transmission is a total piece of junk.

I'd jump on the $200 AX-15 but I will warn you there's a chance it won't be as simple as bolting it in. I'm not sure but the input shaft on your transfer case may need to be changed.

musikman43155

Hmmmmm....anyone else know about the in put shaft?

Maybe I should just look for a newer Jeep. I don't have a lot to spend.

Anyone around OH has a 5 speed 4.0 XJ for sale?

ZachsXJ

Yeah you'd need to swap either the input gear on the transfer case or just get the case that matches the transmission you're buying.

The current t-case has a short 21 spline input shaft. the AX-15 for the swap you'd need a long 23 spine input shaft. My advice would be to back out on the sale and wait for a 94 or newer XJ with a 5psd. They switched to the AX-15 in about 1990 but used an internal slave assembly through 1993...94 and newer use the external slave assembly thats much easier to replace than the stupid internal style.

musikman43155

I found a 93 Cherokee that's a 4.0 5 speed 4 door, which looks like it's in good shape for $400 with a blown motor. My buddy has a spare motor in his garage.

Sounds good, gonna follow up.

88GTBlack

he may not have a puegot tranny my ax15 does that im used to driving sports cars i first got into my jeep im like wtf is this?? takes some getting used to i got an 89 cherokee and i have the same problem with my ax15....i think its an ax15 how would i know the difference

whowey

89 is the changeover year for the transmissions...

If its an early 89 it should have the Pugeot... if its a late 89 then it should have a AX-15.

But there is a vertical line of bolts on the AX-15.

ZachsXJ

The easiest way is to look under the Jeep.

The Peugeot BA 10/5 Transmission is bolted together longitudinally (like if you cut a hotdog in half the long way) So if you look under the Jeep, the case will have a seam down the middle from front to back

The AX-15 is a "split-case" design meaning its as if you were to cut a hotdog in sections the short way.



The AX-15 is on the left and the BA 10/5 is on the right. The most noticeable thing is the seam down the center of the BA 10/5 thats a bit to the right of the center of the transmission in that picture.

Hopefully this info can help you identify which transmission you have.

5-90

If it's the Peugeot, the best fix is to swap. Lots of good info here - http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=70388

Most likely pitfalls:
- The Peugeot output is 21-spline, the AX-15 should be 23-spline (the jury is still out - I've heard tell that some of the very earliest AX-15s might have 21-sp outputs, but have yet to verify.) Change the transfer case or change the transfer case input gear (NB: If you get the input gear only, make sure it's from a 1994 or earlier case. NP changed the helix angle slightly for 1995 or so - the first fluid change will also result in draining out your input gearset... You can get a new input gear from Novak, just be sure to tell them what year your transfer case is.)
- The AX-15 comes in two versions - AX-15i (internal slave) and AX-15e (external slave.) (My own designations.) The Peugeot uses an internal slave - the "internal" slave combines the slave cylinder and throwout bearing into a single unit. I do not like this idea - I've had nothing but trouble with it! If you lose the slave, the transmission has to come out to replace it!
The AX-15i was used through the 1993 model year, the AX-15e 1994-1999.
- The AX-15i has the same size pilot as the BA-10/5, while the AX-15e is somewhat larger. This requires a different pilot bushing, but it's a COTS part that can be found rather easily (information in the thread referenced.)
- The AX-15 (both versions) has been found in:
-- 1989.5-1999XJ w/242ci I6
-- 1989.5-1992MJ w/242ci I5
-- 1993-1994(?) ZJ w/242ci I6
-- 1989.5-1995YJ w/242ci I6
-- 1997-1998TJ w/242ci I6
-- 1990-1997 (or so) Dakota with 239ci V6
Nota Bene - The XJ/MJ and probably ZJ versions are direct drop-in replacements (within the strictures given above and in the referenced thread. I really need to write an article on this.) The YJ/TJ versions will have the correct bellhousing for the AMC engine, but the transfer case adapter will be "clocked" flatter - you'll need to either secure the XJ/MJ tcase adapter housing, or redrill the one you have (either is possible.) The Dakota version will require a bellhousing swap (the 239ci V6 uses the Chrysler LA-Block bellhousing pattern also found on the 318/360ci V8 and 488/510ci V10,) and I'm not sure about the transfer case clocking. However, finding that gearbox is an option if you can only find the proper housings for each end (bell and tcase adapter.) IIRC, the input is still the 1-1/8"-10 spline used elsewhere, and the output should still be 23-spline.

N.B. If you do the AX-15 swap (highly recommended) or the NV3550 swap (more information available - even more highly recommended, but more difficult to find,) note that you will also need to change gear oil. The BA-10/5 is perfectly happy with GL-5 gear oil, but it has aluminum synchroniser rings (which form about a third of the problem relative to use in a truck.) The AX-15 uses bronze ("yellow metal" - this is important in a moment) and the NV3550 either uses bronze or bronze with some synthetic coating.
GL-5 gear oil contains a relatively high percentage of sulphur added as an "Extreme Pressure" lubricant ("EPL.") Sulphur, in solution, and at elevated temperatures, is antagonistic to yellow metals (like bronze.) Use GL-5 long enough, and you'll be draining out your synchroniser rings! Use GL-3 in the AX-15. I know the NV4500 and NV5600 use a special synthetic, but I don't know if that applies to the NV3550 as well.
(Continue to use GL-5 in the axles - the sulphur is helpful there.)
You may use "performance synthetic" GL-5 gear oils like Redline or Amsoil, provided they specifically say they are safe for use with yellow metals!
Treat This Point As Important

I'm sure there's more I'm thinking of, which is why I need to write the article. However, the swap is certainly worth doing - I did it on my 88 (after going through no less than four Peugeot gearboxes! The only advantage is that you can usually pick them up for the askin' - I certainly wouldn't pay anything for them!)

nowhres

I know this is old, but that is the best explanation I have read/heard for identifying AX15/BA

jretzky

Transmission issue...

I have the same thing 1989 BA/10 and during the summer the trans got stuck in 1st gear, but the shifter seemed to be in neutral.

My son and I pulled the trans and had it rebuilt only to find that last month the same thing happened again.

Any one have the BA10 stuck in 1st and the shifter still moves the right and left and yes the clutch is still working fine.

Can the shifter break inside or did a pin or something fail again.

I can't believe the sane thing happened twice.

Just driving it to work and back home...Thanks!~John

freegdr

I had a ba/10 for 200,000 miles pulled it out to upgrade to nv3550 not all ba fall apart if the xjs in good shape other wise a ax15 swap would really be a improvement. It could have the ax15 in it. ...

freegdr

What shapes the bushing the shifter rides in ? ...