Transmission question

[KimberlyHoward80]

I have a 2003 Sahara with a manual and before I had it lifted it would (only every now and then) grind as I tried to release the clutch to reverse. Second try it would pop in and I could reverse fine.
The day I had it lifted, the moment it hit the ground, 2nd and R BOTH grind insanely bad when trying to move into that gear and now 4th feels sticky. 1st, 3rd, and 5th still shift perfectly.
I’ve been told so many different things, and yes I’m having it looked at soon, but I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this. I was told by a Mopar mechanic to change the fluid, that it could seriously be that simple.

 

[machoheadgames]

Sounds like whoever installed the lift also installed a transfer case drop which could cause interference with the shifter in some cases hence why it’s in 2/4/R.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

Nothing was installed but the lift. I watched him.

 

[machoheadgames]

Nothing was installed but the lift. I watched him.

That doesn’t mean a lot. Not saying you are but somebody new to Jeeping wouldn’t know if something like a transfer case drop was just more parts to the lift. Was it a body lift perhaps?

There is no logical correlation between shifting bad in 2/4/R and a lift except for a body lift or a semi-commonly used transfer case drop with a suspension lift. Fluid has nothing to do with it. Fluid doesn’t know that any portion of the vehicle was lifted.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

Yeah I’m not saying the lift did it, but it started acting up the same day. Transfer case wasn’t touched. New shocks, springs, and such hardware to lift 3.25”.

 

[machoheadgames]

Yeah I’m not saying the lift did it, but it started acting up the same day. Transfer case wasn’t touched. New shocks, springs, and such hardware to lift 3.25”.

You might upload some pics of it. I’m not saying they touched the transfer case but often transfer case drop spacers are included in lifts and are part of the “lift”. To someone watching it would just be more turning bolts if they didn’t know better. I’m sure it’s not just a coincidence, something disturbed the shifter relationship with the body.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

I’m asking the guy now if anything involved the transfer case.

 

[machoheadgames]

It doesn’t really involve the transfer case. It just lowers the skid plate which the transfer case sits on. Transfer case itself doesn’t need to be touched at all during that process.

What lift is it?

 

[WolfMan]

I agree with @machoheadgames, a transfer case drop can cause binding or interference with the shifter.

How many miles on the Jeep?

Any body lift or only suspension lift?

How does 4wd shift? Specifically 4-low since the stock linkage will bind with a T case drop.

With my 5 speed, I don’t have the issues you’re describing but I always shift into 5th before putting it in reverse.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

He said it did come with 3/4” spacers for that plate and that they were installed.

 

[pagrey]

Two things I can think of, crap can get stuck between the inner and outer shift boots and jam the shifter or limit its travel. A friend had $10 in change wedged in there. Also and this might seem stupid, no offense, but did the floor mat get pushed up by the mechanic and block the clutch pedal?

Edit; ya the drop will do it like @machoheadgames said

 

[machoheadgames]

He said it did come with 3/4” spacers for that plate and that they were installed.

That’s the issue. Next thing to check is see if shifter is hitting the plastic console or if it’s hitting the opening in the tub below. If it’s hitting the console, shift the console some by loosening the bolts, moving it back slightly, and retightening. If it’s hitting the tub you can clearance the tub opening a bit or find an alternate solution to the transfer case spacers.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

Rough country 3.25” lift.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

That’s the issue. Next thing to check is see if shifter is hitting the plastic console or if it’s hitting the opening in the tub below. If it’s hitting the console, shift the console some by loosening the bolts, moving it back slightly, and retightening. If it’s hitting the tub you can clearance the tub opening a bit or find an alternate solution to the transfer case spacers.

Thank you. My husband said the same thing, like it can’t get far enough back to get into gear properly.

 

[machoheadgames]

Thank you. My husband said the same thing, like it can’t get far enough back to get into gear properly.

Yep that’s exactly how it goes. Just need to see what the physical limitation is, whether that be the console or the body. Pretty common with a transfer case drop and made even worse if in conjunction with a body lift too if the Jeep already has one that you may or may not know about.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

Yep that’s exactly how it goes. Just need to see what the physical limitation is, whether that be the console or the body. Pretty common with a transfer case drop and made even worse if in conjunction with a body lift too if the Jeep already has one that you may or may not know about.

Update: SUCCESS! The lift guy took the spacers out of the transfer case plate and bolted it back together like it was before the lift. It shifts perfectly! There’s barely any change in degree to the rear driveshaft, so hopefully the ubolts hold out. We’ll cross that bridge when it comes. Could be 100K miles from now. Who knows. Thank you so much! I was about to have the transmission rebuilt.

 

[Lckydrw]

Glad you figured this out. My console had to be adjusted back to make the 2-4-R positions “hold” in place. The PO installed a 2” RC lift. Now I’m wondering if my Tcase is dropped. Guess I’ll check in the morning.

 

[machoheadgames]

Update: SUCCESS! The lift guy took the spacers out of the transfer case plate and bolted it back together like it was before the lift. It shifts perfectly! There’s barely any change in degree to the rear driveshaft, so hopefully the ubolts hold out. We’ll cross that bridge when it comes. Could be 100K miles from now. Who knows. Thank you so much! I was about to have the transmission rebuilt.

Glad to help and hear that fixed it. If the u-joints do give you trouble then at that point consider a double cardan driveshaft and a slip yoke eliminator kit. Until then, sounds like you’re ok and better off with at least no shift issues now. T-case drops don’t make that drastic of a difference anyways. They can help significantly in a pinch but they don’t alter the driveshaft angles as much as one would think. A MML doesn’t really either.

 

[bromel]

With a 3.25" lift, I have to imagine you're going to get some driveline vibrations at speed without any sort of transfer case drop or slip yoke kit.

 

[KimberlyHoward80]

With a 3.25" lift, I have to imagine you're going to get some driveline vibrations at speed without any sort of transfer case drop or slip yoke kit.

Sorry, just saw this. Yes there is a slight vibration, but I never take it over 65 anyway.