500 MJ Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 So I think that yesterday the old tranny gave up the ghost. I'm running an AX-15 from a '90 Wrangler in my truck. Story goes: When I was parked at the girlfriends house last night (kinda a steep incline in the driveway) and I started the truck up, a growling noise was coming from the tranny. I pushed in the clutch and it modified the noise some but didnt stop it. I tried to put the truck in reverse but couldnt do it at first. With the clutch in, I ran through all of the gears 1,2,3,4,5 and then was able to get it in reverse. I pulled out of the drive and noticed a gyration in the trans when I backed up. I stopped the truck and got it to go into first, I only live a few blocks away so I decided I would try and get the truck home. I drove it home and was unable to shift into some gears like 2nd and 4th on my way there. The noise was still coming from the trans but it did stop at times and run like it was normal. Once I got home though EVERYTHING seemed to be working right. I was able to leave the truck running as I opened the garage door and it wasnt making any noise. I was also able to back in the garage just like normal and things seemed fine... Any thoughts on what the heck is going on? I'm not driving the truck right now, I don't want to damage anything anymore than it already is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Sounds like the clutch release bearing ("throw-out bearing") is gone. For an '88 4.0L, unfortunately that's all one assembly with the slave cylinder, so the part is pricey, but (subject to verification) I'd make that the first thing to have checked out. If you get confirmation that's the problem ... DO NOT give in to the temptation to save $$$ and buy the part from any after-market source. Replacing the release bearing on a 4x4 is not an easy or inexpensive job. You do NOT want to repeat in 6 months, and that's about the average lifespan for aftermarket clutch hydraulic system parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted April 20, 2008 Author Share Posted April 20, 2008 I did replace it a while back with the one included in the clutch kit from carquest when I did my 4wd conversion... You really don't think it is anything inside the transmission? ;) That is great news. I was planning on going out and spending major money on getting this one rebuilt... Is there any way for me to check and see if my transmission is ok? Also, I've heard that the AX-15 did come with an external slave cylinder setup at one point in time. Does anyone know what years this could be found on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 what setup do you have on the AX-15 if its internal setup and the internal slave went bad I would replace it with the one that has more metal than plastic some where here there was some pic's between the two types. If its the tranny I would consider the external setup. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I'm gonna go against the grain here: If you were parked on a decent hill, maybe you were low on trans flud and whatever you have in drifted on back, hence when you started it up, the howling noise. Kind of a silly theory, I know, but it's worth checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 Yah, I should have mentioned that I did just check the fluid this spring and it was just fine. Kinda forgot that bit of info... After some looking online I found that the external slaves are apparently on 94+ models of the AX-15... Just a longshot but does anyone know an easy way for me to get my hands on one of these bellhousings? Anyone got one for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Just a longshot but does anyone know an easy way for me to get my hands on one of these bellhousings? www.car-part.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 $500 MJ wrote: After some looking online I found that the external slaves are apparently on 94+ models of the AX-15... Just a longshot but does anyone know an easy way for me to get my hands on one of these bellhousings? Anyone got one for sale? I am not sure what type of tranny you have, there is a difference with the main shaft that seats in the crank shaft bushing. i do believe that the internal setup of the AX-15 is a bit narrower then the later ones (external setup). just a caution :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 could be a rats nest,,,,,, :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 Well, A pulling of the trans reveiled the problem. I took it all apart and the syncros are shot. No problems with the gears or anything else that I could see... So onto the next phase: I almost forgot I had a spare one of these trannies back home. I'll be forgoeing the expensive rebuild of this old one and installing my spare AX-15 this week once I get it from downstate. I will be scrapping the junk one, anyone need any parts from it? I don't have access to a press though so if you want a gear, you'll get the whole shaft. Also, does anyone have a schematic of the AX-15 posted on the net, It would be handy to have one of these for future reference. When I put the new trans in, what do I fill it back up with? I've heard that these run on gear lube but I want to make sure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Also, does anyone have a schematic of the AX-15 posted on the net, It would be handy to have one of these for future reference. How about the full service manual? :D http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech.html It's under the Transmission and Transfer Case section Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Subscribing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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