Cherokeeman1234

Recently started getting a vibration in my first gear. It only starts when I pass 2000 rpm and stops if I shift into second gear. I have a 92 cherokee 2dr sport 5 speed. Could it be the transmission mounts? Or could it be the clutch because the clutch only works when it is almost completely back to original position. All advice is helpful. This is a new problem but I don't know what to do and money is tight. Please help

Rockhead

Does it happen when you are letting the clutch out or after the clutch is released and you are accelerating? Do you have a lift on your cherokee?

Cherokeeman1234

It's after the clutch is released and no lift yet. Not sure which lift I wanna get. I'm trying to work out the small things first then go big.

Rockhead

Hmmm. Do you feel the vibration in the seat or the steering wheel? Check for lose parts; ball joints, track bar and control arms bolts. It could be a bad tire; any loud tire noise?

Codenamefa

Usually by my experience with Manual Transmissions is when you only feel vibration in the first gear and with the clutch completely out tells me 1 of 2 things. Either your flywheel/clutch/throw out bearing are the problem, or its the actual gears bearing itself. eventually here in the near future that shutter will start happening in 2nd and then one day 3rd and usually at this point 3rd will fail and you won't have 3rd gear anymore. Had this happen in 4 different vehicles (96 XJ 5 speed with 4.6 stroker, 94 Ranger STX 5 Speed, 2002 Chevy Duramax 6 speed, 2000 Camaro SS 6 speed.) depending on your driving it might take years for it to show its ugly face or it could take weeks to show. My 96 XJ took about 1 year to finally get to the stage of 3rd barely working. My old Ranger was about 4 weeks (I drove it like I stole it). My Duramax did it in about 4 runs at the track lol, twin turbo's and a propane shot injection to add about 25-40% hp and torque, needless to say that transmission had only about 25,000 miles on it when I did this and I broke it badly and quickly lol. The Camaro SS I did this purely by a bad transmission rebuild by a very reputable company, took about 3000 miles before 3rd was completely useless with the power of a LS3(Yes LS3 out of a corvette, not its original LS1) at the head with a procharger strapped to it and barely even getting into it only to just pass people when breaking the transmission in. So basically what you have going on there is either a loose or a failing flywheel/clutch/throwout bearing, or worst case which usually it is.... the first gear is the start of the end of for that transmission and a rebuild is in the near future, or a swap which ever is cheaper.

oldguy52

Had the same prob on an 87 BA-10/5 and it eventually locked into first gear because the input shaft bound up the shift fork. Known prob with the Peugeot boxes. Vibrated in first like you described but on mine it would grind going into second but would then smooth out. At least until the last time I went for second.

Cherokeeman1234

Interesting. Everyone advice is pretty on point I'm definetly beginning to think it's my clutch because I just out a new steering stabilizer in and I had some quality time inspecting my steering components. I guess now is the time to fix it I'm go I going to start with a new clutch and see how that works for me. Any other advice would be greatly enjoyed.

Cherokeeman1234

The vibration I feel when I am going fast is in my steering wheel. But the noise that I am talking about comes from under the seat towards the rear end

Codenamefa

Honestly take it to a tranny shop have them drive it around to see what it does. If they say its something inside the tranny just go prepare yourself for the worst and head to the u-pull-it and go pull a tranny. Actually while your at it, become a jeep enthusiast and prepare for the worse by getting everything drivetrain if your checking account allows it. Tranny, T-case to do a SYE with, Axles if you are thinking about lockers and gears. Once all is done and you are ready for your lift you can just swap all this in and have a all new rig basically. I'm doing it now but I am going the extra step, I found a site that sells High pinion TJ/XJ style dana 44's and I plan to get one to match up with my Ford 8.8 and run OX lockers and 4.88 gears and 35's.

Cherokeeman1234

Okay I'm not trying to sink a lot of money in this jeep because I have a 71 scrambler that I am about to start building

Codenamefa

Well if your not trying to sink alot in, like I said take it to the tranny shop, have them take it for a spin and see what they think it is. I mean we could all be wrong and it could be something as simple as a u-joint causing it. The only reason I made that comment of buying up parts is because it sounded like you were planning on a lift and some bigger tires. So basically put, better to be prepared than to twiddling your thumbs altho twiddling thumbs can be quite dandy at times. Anyways instead of taking our word for it and possibly sinking big money and time into your XJ, take it to the shop have them test drive it and look at it, they will tell you what it could be and usually have a educated guess. Once you find out what it is, determine if its worth the time and money to fix.

Cherokeeman1234

Found what it's was today the driveshaft completely fell out

BNJeepsta

Then how did it move?

Cherokeeman1234

I put it in four wheel drive and drove it home. Now I need to know what u joints to buy and anything else

Rockhead

I have had no problems with the Dana Spicer U-joints and straps. I'm glad it was nothing to serious. Have fun with the project.