99 Cherokee Sport with 127,000 miles. A week ago I got a really loud front end vibe after replacing my control arms. I removed the front drive shaft and it went away, so my driveshaft is sitting at a driveline shop (considering re-tubing or replacing it). Today I have a rattle or chatter that sounds like it is coming from underneath my shift lever. If my front DS were in place, I would suspect a branch wrapped around it but I've crawled underneath and I can't see anything wrong. I know nothing of Auto tranny's. Any ideas? Suggestions for troubleshooting? Thanks for any input you might have.

 

For what its worth, while rolling down a hill I left it in neutral and shut the engine off. Still did it. I don't think it does it in reverse but I can't reverse fast enough to be able to tell...

 

NO one has ever experienced a similar noise? Thought I'd have some things to shoot at by now.

 

FWIW if you did that kind of silent running the trans really shouldn't make much noise at all. Did the problem start AFTER the driveshaft removal? If so I would think that something is out of alignment underneath--like removing the shaft let the transfer case and the front axle come closer together- letting the rear slide to the front. I've seen weirder things..