beejakah

My 99 xj developed a knock/tap/rattle in the last month or so and I was thinking it was my flexplate bolts or a crack... upon inspecting today the bolts are tight and there are no visual cracks to the flexplate. However, I did notice a place where it looks like a bolt SHOULD be.

The knocking/rattling it intermittent at idle, when braking; sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. I'm having a hard time finding pictures and diagrams which would show this location on other xj's to see if there is a bolt there. Sure looks like it to me - any help on this would be a huge help!

beejakah

Oh and for location and orientation purpose, that is the right upper side of the bellhousing near the cps.

Cheddarnut

Here's the info courtesy of 5-90... Scroll down to his post.

http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f8...ng-bolts-4721/

beejakah

Are the e12 bolts what I'm missing/looking for? I'm actually wandering in the dark cause I don't know what is suppose to be there?

Cheddarnut

The post further down the page from 5-90 mentions that it was originally a torx head bolt and can be replaced with a normal hex head bolt, size 3/8 -16

beejakah

Thanks! Hopefully this is the source of my rattle - knock?

CCKen

Here's some data on bolts you can use for the bell housing to engine attachment. I bought these bolts at a local hardware and used them for my engine change.


The image says 1988-1996 XJ parts catalogs but the bolt data shown is applicable up to the 2001 model year. The '97-'01 parts catalogs do not give size data.

CCKen

FYI: That's the left (driver's side) lower bolt hole. It takes the longer of the two bolts I illustrated. The original bolt was a hex head, not a Torx head bolt.


Agreed?

beejakah

Thanks for the help and info CCKen! I had found some of this stuff this morning but like I said, had no idea what should be there or what I'm looking for. I was poking around to see what was loose and rattling and there's an approximate 1/4 in gap between the bellhousing and engine block there where that bolt goes. =/

beejakah

I happened to hang out with a friend tonight who has a 2000 xj - it is a hex for the lower bolt. Thanks again man for your help!

Incidentally, minus his slight oil leak, his stock xj is in great condition! Only 103k miles on her!

kengofff

I'm thinking the bolt is still there under the shifter cable

SteveMongr

Yea, bolt is there in the first picture.

beejakah

Yea - had to remove shift cable bracket to reinstall bolt. Didn't solve my problem but the bolt is buttoned up. Thanks all.

SteveMongr

Check exhaust where it passes over crossmember, to see if it is making contact and the condition of rubber isolater.
Also inspect motor/transmission mounts.

CCKen

Such as.....