I have a 1994 cherokee 4.0 5spd, the transmission seems to be getting really hot, the whole tunnel and even the shifter gets hot. sometimes grinds going into reverse too, not a constant problem sometimes it does it every day and sometimes it wont do it all week. Any help or info is appreciated.

 

How's the fluid level? When was it last changed?

 

just changed the fluid not too long ago and just checked it and the level is fine... any other ideas what would cause that?

 

I don't know too much about the manuals. Then again they aren't all that complicated. If the bearings are good and the clutch isn't slipping, there really isn't a whole lot in there to generate heat. Most serious problems seem to be accompanied by a noise of some sort, or an operational problem.
I do know that a lot of "heat" that gets blamed on the transmission is actually coming from elsewhere...engine, exhaust, cat converter, etc. It rises up into the trans tunnel and makes the trans look guilty.

 

what fluid did you use?

 

it was 75-90

 

Did you grab API GL-5 gear oil? That stuff is corrosive to the brass synchros in the AX-15. It's not very likely that they died so suddenly as a result of the extra additives in GL-5 but you should drain and look carefully for chunks of metal or fine particles. Otherwise it sounds to me like a bearing is shot.

Definitely confirm what Radi's talking about... Might not be your tranny at all

 

yea i think it was gl-5, it has only been a few days now. What is good to run in an ax-15 at a reasonable price? Ill figure out what to use then i can change it soon.

 

lol "reasonable price", I'm with you there, I wish there were more options than Redline MT-90

Find yourself a "synchromesh" branded lube. Pennzoil and Castrol both apparently have these, the stupid stores in my area stopped carrying them last year. These are closer to the old GL-3 and GL-4 oils that are supposed to be in our transmissions but have a nicer additive package for brass synchros.

AC Delco also has a Synchromesh product but it's a bit thinner. It's all I could find on short notice for my AX-15 before a big trip. It's better than the original fluid that was in it before, but can feel some notchiness during shifting and the synchro performance isn't that slick. My 1st & 2nd assembly probably just needs to be replaced but 4th isn't what I expected. However after an entire day of driving around (800 KM?) on the highway the shifter was just warm.