I've also posted this on JeepForum, I need answers quick as this will effect whether I can make the Feb. 16 event.
I think I have some issues with my transfercase. It's a 2000 with the 242 TC. It drives fine in 2wd, no noise, no vibration. I've begun to notice a vibration when I'm in fulltime 4wd. It vibrates the Jeep while driving/accelerating, but stops when I let off the gas. I even noticed this evening the Jeep vibrates while in fulltime, in drive, while sitting at a stoplight.
I really have zero experience with transfercases, so I'm thinking something is letting go inside. The DS is fine, good u-joints, etc... I'm going to drain it and check the fluid as soon as possible. It's been drained/changed twice in the 30,000 miles I've put on it. I'm running Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in it.
Sounds like what happened to my 231 before I cracked the case in half going down the freeway. Mine failed when I was in 2wd though. I'd get it checked out before you get stranded. Mine eventually did start vibrating a bit in 2wd, and was real noticeable in 4wd, thought it was front u-joints. Whoops.
I would say you most likely have the front out put bearing going bad or your t-case chain is on it's last leg, either way I think your looking at a t-case over hall....
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'89 Xj 5" lift, 31" GoodYear Authority AT's. www.adv4x4online.com "A different kinda out doors site. (owned and ran by me)
The thing I can't figure out is the truck vibrates while sitting still in drive in 4WD, if I take it out of 4WD the vibration will stop. Nothing is turning in the transfercase sitting still.
The thing I can't figure out is the truck vibrates while sitting still in drive in 4WD, if I take it out of 4WD the vibration will stop. Nothing is turning in the transfercase sitting still.
I'm SO confused.
Actually sitting still the internals are still "kinda" turning. Your only sitting still because your putting your foot on the brake. Thier is still load on the TC sitting in drive not moving. The only time you'll not have a load on the TC is when the tranny is in park or neutral.
A little update on my problem. I drained the TC this evening, and refilled it. I saw no metal, no nothing in the fluid. It has about 12,000 miles on it since I changed it last. It wasn't pink anymore, but wasn't burnt, or real dark either. There wasn't any crap on the bottom of the inside of the case, and the chain seemed tight. I do see a slight movement in the bearing on the output shaft if I push up and down on the front DS. I don't know if that is "normal" for the ball bearing supporting it.
I am wondering how much lash should be in the front diff, and the TC. I can turn the DS back and forth more than I think it should. The front diff was totally rebuilt right after I bought the Jeep. How much lash should there be in the front diff? And if there is too much wouldn't it make the noise, and vibrations I have in 4WD in 2WD too? Also how much slop should there be in the TC? As I said, the chain seems tight.
I guess I'll find out next Thursday. I went ahead and made an appointment at the Jeep dealer for them to diagnose what's going on. I really want to be able to meet up and wheel with you guys in Feb.
What really sucks is if I have to buy a new TC, I will end up having NO WARRANTY! I will have to cut the shaft off to mount up the H&T flange.
1) Does it do it while in 2wd? 2) If yes, does it do it only while moving or does it do it while stopped? 3) Does it do it in Park or Neutral? 4) Does it do it while in 4wd? 5) If yes does it only do it while moving or does it do it while stopped (brakes applied) as well?
If it does NOT do it in 2wd, or does NOT do while moving I would start out by removing your front ds to eliminate any possibility of it being the front ds or the front axle.
If it does do it while in 2wd, I'd do the reverse. Pull the rear ds and drive around in 4wd just using the front axle to move you. This will eliminate the question of it being the rear ds or the rear axle.
Something else that comes to mind is your hack-n-tap SYE. Have you checked to make sure that the SYE itself is tight? Has the bolt holding it on backed out at all? Maybe wallowed out the hole? Just another thought that could cause a "vibe".
If you eliminate all possibilities of it being your axle, driveshafts, and SYE than we know you have an issue maybe with your TC.
Also, check your motor mounts. A bad motor mount (very common in the XJ's) will also cause this issue.
1) Does it do it while in 2wd? 2) If yes, does it do it only while moving or does it do it while stopped? 3) Does it do it in Park or Neutral? 4) Does it do it while in 4wd? 5) If yes does it only do it while moving or does it do it while stopped (brakes applied) as well?
If it does NOT do it in 2wd, or does NOT do while moving I would start out by removing your front ds to eliminate any possibility of it being the front ds or the front axle.
If it does do it while in 2wd, I'd do the reverse. Pull the rear ds and drive around in 4wd just using the front axle to move you. This will eliminate the question of it being the rear ds or the rear axle.
Something else that comes to mind is your hack-n-tap SYE. Have you checked to make sure that the SYE itself is tight? Has the bolt holding it on backed out at all? Maybe wallowed out the hole? Just another thought that could cause a "vibe".
If you eliminate all possibilities of it being your axle, driveshafts, and SYE than we know you have an issue maybe with your TC.
Also, check your motor mounts. A bad motor mount (very common in the XJ's) will also cause this issue.
Adam,
1. No it drives/feels fine in 2WD.
2. It vibrates in 4WD while driving, AND while stopped in drive the Jeep vibrates. THAT'S really confusing me. As soon as I take it out of 4WD the Jeep does not vibrate. The vibration is like a rough idle, but why would it idle rough in 4WD only? I'm not convinced it is the engine idle anyway, it just what it feels like.
3. If I take it out of drive, ie park or neutral the vibration stops. Again, all this when it in 4WD.
4. Yes, all these symptoms are when it's in 4WD only.
5. As I said in #2 it vibrates, and makes a slight roaring noise while driving. The noise is not very loud, but it's there. The vibration is there while stopped with or without the brakes applied. I do see a VERY slight up and down movement in the front output shaft bearing. I know ball bearings have SOME "slop", but that might be some, or all the cause. I really don't know.
As far as the rear H&T, I've checked it, and all the parts are tight so I don't think the rear DS and parts are to blame. Also the fact it drives fine in 2WD.
Something else I noticed the other night when I drained the TC is the backlash in the front diff, and TC. I saw no slack in the chain in the TC, but I could turn the front DS back and forth maybe 1/8 of a turn. I'm no expert but that seems alot to me.