Ok. For the last few days, my 1997 XJ has been making some funky grinding noises underneath the Jeep, in the center, just in front of the drivers seat. I would let off the gas, and it would kick in gear and keep going. It had done it a few times, and I just figured it would go away.

Well, it didn't. It got worse. I took it on my way to physical therapy ( I just had knee surgery...ouch) and the grinding got so bad, then I totally lost all gears. I had to pull off the road, and it seems like the transmission went. I had nothing in Drive, Reverse, 4wd PT, 4wd FT, 1, 2, 3...nothing. You press the gas, and you get that dreadful grinding! So, I put the hazards on (at least they work ) and call AAA. After waiting 40 minutes, I figured I would try 4wd low. GUESS WHAT! 4 wheel drive low worked. I got it in neutral, then put it in that gear, and made it home going about 30 mph. I parked it, and now it is sitting.

So, is it the transmission? Is it the transfer case? What does it sound like? ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED! Thanks a lot, guys!

jimmy

 

sound like TC to me. unless the trans grenaded itself they usually just quit pulling. drain the fluid in the tc and see if it is full of grindage.

 

if it was the tcase why would P R N D 3, 2, & 1 not work, but 4 low would? sounds to me like the tcase is OK, but by no means am i an expert.

i'm guessing it's a manual? maybe some sort of shift fork or something similar related to the clutch. or maybe just the trans itself. i'd say check all fluids, make take it trans apart a little and do digging for the source.

 

tc x1. some tc has servos and clutchs. the one for any high gear seems to go out first. the one we use most. had this happen to me once. sucked going 10 mph for 20 miles.

 

so much for part time 4x4 use

 

Because the High gears are out in the transfer case, but not the low gear. If it was the trans, it wouldn't work in 4 low either.

 

From what you guys are saying, it sounds like I need a new transfer case. How tough are these to uninstall/install? How much of a pain is it for a newbie?

 

Before you go replacing stuff, I would check your shift forks. Might just need to adjust or replace those.