codydperry18

Hey Guys. We got a '93 XJ w/ an AX-5 mated to the 2.5L. Transfer case is NP231.
We've been having issues with the transmission for a while now, but they seem to be getting worse. Mainly hard to shift and grinding into certain gears (not all the gears) so I'm thinking probably not the clutch? I'll list the main symptoms below.

Hard to get into 1st if stopped or grinds into 1st unless going about 1mph
Grinds into 3rd unless you move the shifter JUST right. Don't know how to explain it
Sometimes (not ALL the time) hard to get into 5th. Either have to really push or it might grind a bit
Reverse hard to get into sometimes (Doesn't grind???)

2nd and 4th are fine. No problems there. Last time we changed the fluid, we used some GL4 fluid (Can't remember the makers name). I read NOT to use GL5, correct?

If the trans is getting ready to bite the dust, where can we get a replacement one? We don't wanna rebuild it unless we have to. Any other transmissions we could use that will bolt right in? This will be my daily driver soon and I don't need any issues with it. Already has an oil leak we can't find....Thinking it's dripping onto the exhaust somewhere.

codydperry18

Anyone? We could really use some help here.

Zack92MJ

Well if it going to die. ( I have an auto) you have two options. Buy one or rebuild one. I mean you either buy a new one. or rebuild one. wither that's yours or a junkyard one.

codydperry18

bump....Any other opinions? We don't want to replace it unless we really need to. Considering swapping in an AX-15....Found all the info we'll need about it & and it's a more durable transmission, correct?

Zack92MJ

Its sounds to me like it's going to die. And it also sounds like you've got it pretty played out already.

Is this on your DD?

smoothlandin

Check your slave cylinders before you deem it a tranny issue. If it is the tranny, buy an ax-5 or buy an ax 15 with whatever you need and swap it when you have time. Then the jeep will only be down for the time to swap parts.

Zack92MJ

That's exactly what I was gonna say to do.

codydperry18

Zack, Yes It's my daily driver/ weekend wheeler. If we do swap transmissions, it'll be on a weekend.

Smooth, How would I go about checking the slave? I've never had this issue with any car before, so I'm not sure what to look for.

smoothlandin

Unfortunately, your slave cyl is inside the bellhousing on your trans, I believe they switched to external in 94. But the master slave is where you put fluid in. Its on your firewall near the brake booster. Check for leaks there and under the dash, but if u have good pedal pressure, then its your tranny.

codydperry18

Yea the pedal feels ok. Not extremely soft or firm. About the middle somewhere. So if we were to get an AX-15, would we want and internal or external slave?

Zack92MJ

Then if you have the money, I would prepair everything outside of the jeep inadvance that way you have little to no down time for your rig. Ya know what I mean?

codydperry18

Yep, I know what you mean. I still didn't see an answer to my last question. Would we want to get an internal or external slave AX-15?

Gee oh Dee

Two schools of thought there.

The external slaves are easier to change out if it goes bad. You don't have to drop the trans.

However, some say that if you get a high quality slave to begin with, it doesn't make a difference.

I am swapping out my BA for an AX. I got a running 89 for $500, so I'm taking its AX, rebuilding it while its out, and swapping it in.

If at all possibly I will switch bell housings to get an external slave. Just because I can.

And I'm waiting for my ticking time bomb of a trans to explode, myself.

JeepCoMJ

plastic master/slave on that one.

check how much fluid is in the master. I had a similar issue on my 99 that was caused by low fluid in the master cylinder, caused by a crack in the slave.

barring that, your synchros are getting warn...or your midplate main shaft bearing is taking a crap. 1st is the closest gear to the front side of the midplate. 5th is on the rear side of the midplate, in the output housing. if that bearing is a bit sloppy, it will cause hard shift issues

codydperry18

I got an idea....next time I drive it, I'll have my brother go with me with a video camera with audio and record what it's doing. I'll check the fluid and all that, but the pedal pressure feels fine.