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Is it my T-Case or Tranny that's broke?

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audleon

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Okay guys,

I've got a 95 Limited 5.2 with a 249. Just installed a 4.5" lift with Long Arms. The new subframe assembly drops my T-Case about an inch. After the install, everything seemed okay until I tried shifting into 4-lo a day later (was hard to move the T-Case lever). I found that my T-Case linkage was all out of whack due to the drop with my T-Case. I couldn't get it to shift into 4-hi or 4-lo reliably (just some grinding while doing so). I fabbed up a plate which acts as the new support for the T-Case shifter linkage and now all of the angles are right. I adjusted the linkage etc.

Everything seems fine when driving under power, BUT when the Tranny downshifts during coasting, it's like the T-Case is slipping out of 4-hi because it's starts to grind, etc. If I pull it back to neutral (the T-Case), it stops grinding, and if I slow down enough, I can put it into 4-lo just fine and everything works good. I cannot get it back into 4-hi unless I stop and put the Transmission into Park or Neutral. Once I put it into 4-hi again, all works good until decelerating. I have the linkage set to max throw towards the 4-hi side since that's where my issue is. During the grinding, I tried putting the Tranny into Neutral to see if the grinding would stop, but it continued until I put the T-Case into Neutral.

Does this point to my T-Case going out? or my Tranny?

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Danny
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Oh, one more thing, if I hold the T-Case lever all the way forward during driving, everything will stay in position fine, although I can still feel the T-case lever wanting to move a little during downshifts.

I know it seems like a linkage adjustment problem, but I've gone under the Jeep and made sure that the lever was adjusted to pull the T-Case link (on the actual T-Case) all the way forward with no possibility of more forward movement. I can feel 3 definitive stops on the T-Case link underneath, (4-lo, neutral, and 4-hi).

Thanks for any help,

Danny
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
I think I'll try to completely disconnect the linkage from the shift tab. I'll manually move the shift tab to 4-hi and see what happens when driving around. The shift tab should remain in that position with no problems right?

Thanks,

Danny
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Okay, update.

I completely removed the linkage from the T-Case. I manually moved the shift tab to 4-hi with some vice grips. Drove around a bit and same problem. During deceleration, I get a definitive grinding noise coming from the T-Case/Transmission. Have I broken something in the T-Case or should I look into the Tranny. Everything seems to be shifting very smoothly.

Also forgot to mention that I topped off the transmission with some synthetic ATF fluid. Is that a big no no? and if so could that be causing the grinding?

Thanks for any help,

Danny
 
#6 ·
There is no way adding fluid would cause a grind. I was going to go with what Technohead said and say the linkage was moving when decelerating, but now I am puzzled. You said you manually put the tcase in 4hi, but did you leave the linkage off while driving around after that? If not then try that and get back to us.
 
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#7 ·
When I was running the 249 I drove around without my linkage connected for quite a while. Had to crawl under and "manually" shift into 4-lo for wheeling. Never had a problem such as you describe.

Right now I am running the 242 without the linkage connected. Same thing as before; I crawl under and "manually" shift for wheeling. Seems to be working OK. Coincidently, the reason why my linkage is not connected now is the same as you. After installing Clayton's crossmember I did not notice that the torque rod was misaligned and I hosed up the linkage when I tried shifting into 4-lo. I would be interested in seeing how you rigged up the bracket.

I assume that this problem did not exist prior to the lift? If not then this problem becomes all the more confusing. Maybe the grinding somehow screwed up the shift mechanism inside the transfer case.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Kinda what I was thinking. I think I may have screwed up something in the T-Case. I was planning to go with a 231 anyway, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something in the Tranny first. I will post up a pic of the bracket I made for the shift linkage. Pretty simple really, I just cut a small piece of 1/8" scrap into a small 2"x3" piece. Then I took the original receptacle for linkage and traced holes for where I needed to drill. Drilled 2 sets of holes, one set about 1" inch higher than the other. Then I mounted the new plate to where the old receptacle used to mount and mounted the receptacle to the new holes in the plate, essentially lowering the receptacle hole about 1". Easier to show than explain. I'll try to figure out how to post pics.
 
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audleon
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