4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Bad sounds

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Expert: - 8/18/2009


Question
I have a 95 Jeep Wrangler 4cyl Manual. I have been encountering some strange sounds whenever I am on the go. In lower gears and at anything above 3000 to 3500 rpm it will make a nasty grinding sound. When rolling it makes a constant rattle but once I accelerate it makes the grinding sound and sometimes chokes the engine causing me to slow down by a few mph. It feels like its coming from the transmission because I can feel it through the floorboard and the shift stick. I have not been able to look for the source because it only happens when driving. Any ideas?

Answer
Brandon,

The 4 cyl YJ had a terribly weak car transmission, the AX5.

I would check out the universal joints first though, as they can cause this problem also.  If you're not familiar with checking these components, you can purchase a repair manual at most auto parts stores for around $20.  They have troubleshooting instructions along with pictures of most components.

If you find that the universal joints appear to be ok, then I would take the YJ to a reputable transmission shop and have the tranny checked out.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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