Hey all - I rebuilt my NP231 and put in the 1.25" chain setup and 6-pinion planetary while I was in there. RTVed the mating surfaces and got it all buttoned up yesterday. Today I put ATV in it on the bench and moved it all around - no leaks. I got it under the XJ and since it was just me, balanced it on my knee while I tried to get it to line up and go in. It was a bit of a struggle (the thing isn't light), but eventually it did line up and slid in. Just then I felt fluid all over my stomach - it was leaking heavily out of the front output. In defeat I pulled it back off and got it on the floor. It seems like the front output is too far in - looks like if it was further out it would be right up against the seal, but it's not. Also I can turn the front output by itself and it makes a clack-clack-clack and nothing else moves. Also, when I put pliers on the selector, I can only make it go to two places, not three. So obviously I screwed something up; I don't have it in me to open it up again tonight, but anybody have any theories? Thanks a lot.

 

News update: I am legally too stupid in the state of Tennessee to own an XJ. It just became 148% clear to me that IF THE FRONT YOKE ISN'T ON, THE FLUID WILL LEAK OUT.

SO dumb.

However with the wrench I'm still only getting 2Hi and 4Hi, so maybe this was a good thing after all - if I'm having an issue getting into 4Low I'd really rather know about it now before I bolt that thing back up in there. I just discovered that I only got a partial set of instructions and I think I just need to trim the stick that the fork is on - will only have to take off the SYE and not undo the whole thing - good news on that for sure.

Also, just in case anyone was curious, it takes approximately 30 minutes in the shower to wash all the ATF off your ***** and crack. As if I needed that today

 

when I was young and had nice hair, (not the mangy cat fur I got these days), got a trans fluid soaking one time, I showered it off...weird thing is my hair had more "body" and "silkiness" than any product I had ever used, and lasted days or even weeks...possibly this info will be of no use to you

 

I hate getting ATF all over myself. I recently serviced the TC on my Silverado and spilled ATF all over myself when refilling it. The shirt has been washed a half dozen times and still has a red stain. I feel for you.

 

Guys! You haven't lived until you've soaked your ***** in 115/145 Aviation Gasoline! I was pre-flight inspecting my airplane on the flight deck in heavy rolling seas, kneeling on the wing and checking the fuel tanks to make sure they were topped off. Just as I pulled one cap off, the ship took a heavy roll to starboard and gas came shooting up out of the tank, soaking me from the waist down! The guys hosed me down with a firehose and made me strip down, then run down 4 decks stark naked to shower! That stuff BURNS!!! I went to sickbay to get checked out and had to use a salve on my tender parts for a couple of days. Very embarrassing, but no permanent damage.

 

Ok well looks like I got out EASY then a little ATV all over the twig and berries and some brake cleaner in the eyeball ain't near as bad as all that!! But makes for a heck of a story for sure!!

 

This thread makes me LOL. Gear oil is still the nastiest, IMO.

 

Oh Yeah! Get that stuff in your clothes and the smell NEVER gets out! Especially when it's got friction modifier in it. I've got another story if you want to hear it. My 67 SS Camaro had a dual exhaust muffler that was mounted vertically behind the rear diff. The clamps loosen up and it leaned over and rubbed on the diff cover, eventually wearing a hole in it. The whole tail of the car was spotted with the stuff and it stank! I took it back to the dealer and they replaced the muffler and cover under warranty. I took me a long time to clean the tail end of the car and it still stank for a while.

 

Yeah those clothes are IN THE TRASH. With any luck maybe I won't ruin any more!!!

 

Well news update - zero leak with the FRONT YOKE PROPERLY INSTALLED. But, no 4Low. Figure I'll start a new thread to expose yet more of my idiocy. Thanks all!