Hi everybody.. hopefully somebody can help me out here. I've searched ALL over the internet, and here too.. but all the posts I find that are similar to my problems all end without a solution. Example https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/whirring-noise-57417/

My Jeep is a 1998 Cherokee Sport 2WD, automatic. Bone stock. 180K+ on the clock.

The noise sounds like metal to metal grinding, and it's loud. When it's idling, or in neutral there is no noise at all. Upon accelerating the noise starts and is related to RPM and not vehicle speed.. however, once 3rd gear or 25-30 MPH hits the noise disappears completely. Another thing is, the noise is really loud from the inside of the vehicle.. I walked around the Jeep while a friend drove it slowly and I can barely hear anything.. so was unable to pinpoint it. Also, no difference whether I'm turning left, right, or simply going straight.

There is no power loss, no slipping or hesitation of the transmission. Drives perfectly normal just the loud grinding noise in low gears and reverse.

Transmission fluid is okay in color, but it 'had' a leak that suddenly disappeared one day and haven't come back.. and I might have overfilled it a tad bit.. I will go drain a bit of it.

Sorry for the long post, but this is driving me NUTS! Thanks in advance to anybody who has any suggestions.

 

Another method to help locate it would be put the rear axle on jack stands, Have a buddy run the engine in gear and you lay underneath to find it. BE CAREFUL cause this has the potential to be very dangerous

But drain out alittle tranny fluid to look for metal 1st. This would be a red flag

 

Hi,
I just purchased a 2000 Cherokee sport 2wd automatic through an auction 4 weeks ago & noticed the same exact grinding noise in 1st, 2nd & rev gear.
Has anyone found a resolution to this problem?

 

Just had my 97 Cherokee 4.0L 2wd with the exact, well almost, problem fixed. Mine did it in 1st and Reverse only. Grinding. Brake drum grinding type sound. Replaced the 1st and Reverse planet assy. When I say almost, I didn't have 3rd gear noise, as once I had my first shift up, the noise disappeared. Had in done at trans shop in Orange Co, Ca.

 

Hi all,
Unfortunately I had to spend $1700+ to find out what the grinding noise was in my transmission but now my Cherokee run smoothly. After a total rebuild I saw that my planetary gears were chipped and broken which made the grinding noise in my transmission resonated through the drive shaft to sound as if it was rear end noise.

Hope this info helps

 

WOW!!! Not what I was wanting to hear. That is the exact same problem I have been having and my buddy said he thought it was the transmission, but I kept saying the sound was coming from the rear. Thanks for your help. I now know.

 

Hey Peezee, don't flip out. If your Cherokee is shifting well, no slip or flare into each gear, just find someone that will replace the Planet gear assy. That's what I did. My total bill was $500. The gear assy looks like it would be a million dollars, you can see these roller gears with small splines everywhere and they were chipped and worn. This gear is the 1st and Reverse gear. My trans guy knew exactly the issue, no up sell calls, you just need to find that type of guy. Mine is so quiet now it feels new. I have 199k on the clock. So many posts, so few solutions but this is it!! If any of you with this issue are near Orange Co. Calif. I'd be happy to steer you to my guy.

 

Buy a used tranny from someone parting theirs out? Or swap to manual.

 

Thanks Bandonbound. I have a mechanic friend of mine that has taken the job on the side and has offered me a great deal in not only replacing the planetary gears, but also rebuilding the transmission for me. No complaints from me. He's a transmission guy. Thanks.