What is this part?
 

What are these 2 metal lines? While changing the transmission fluid and filter in my Cherokee I noticed one of the lines didn't seem to be seated in the transmission all the way.



http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...y175/trans.jpg

Ok so I figured out that these 2 lines are the valve body oil feed tubes. What exactly do they do and are there any ill effects if they are loose?

Feed the fluid to the v.b. erratic shifting hunting or hardly and shifting at all?

The shift from 1st gear to 2nd gear is delayed and slips. 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th are just fine. Could these 2 tubes be the problem? I recently found that if I put the shifter in 3 instead of D that the shift is a lot better but still not perfect.

Put your Comfort/Power switch, if you have one, to Power and leave it there. That will make your AW4 shift Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better.

I don't have a comfort/power switch.

They quit putting that switch in in 1993, default is "power"

Ya I would say those tubes could be the problem.

Any suggestions on where to order new tubes from online? This trans has been worked on before when the previous owner had it

Well first of all I would pull out the service manual and try to look it up. Next maybe go to a trans shop and show them pics.... I'm not that great with auto trans. Explain how they are loose... and you can't get it to seat? Is it broken or did it just come loose. It makes sense that that is the problem but try and give more description. I would think the way you're describing it that those are a light interference fit which means they just slide in snugly.... more info?

I pushed one of them in by hand about 1/4 of an inch, so I am thinking if I can push it in by hand then pressure can push it back out and leak by.

I thought those had a little lip and kinda clipped in. I recommend going to a trans shop and showing them the pic and asking them about it. Or try pulling it out and inspecting it so you can see how it is supposed to work.

agreed ask b4 any thing else

I bet it would shift better with that all the way in

Service manual says to "Tap tubes into place with a plastic mallet. Be sure the flanged tube ends and straight tube ends are installed as shown"

In your photo, the flanged ends are on the left.

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-se....swf#toolbar=0 page 295

See page 270 for removal - looks like they just pry out.