2004 Wrangler started banging / clunking

[Wolverine2015]

The noise is coming from Transmission area. The noise is not as bad in 1st but gets progressively louder in 2nd and 3rd. Feels bad so I am afraid to get over 25 MPH. It only makes the noise when accelerating, even slightly. No issues with the shifting. I replaced the Slave Cylinder about 2 months ago because it was grinding between 1st and 2nd unless I paused a bit before shifting to 2nd. Downshifting to 1st was not possible except when barely moving. The new slave corrected these issues. My TJ just turn 120,000 Miles. It has i think a 2-2.5 inch Lift Kit and 33 inch Tires. I bought the unit with 104,000 about 2.5 years ago and use it as a 2nd vehicle, lightly Off-Roading just once. I took it a reputable shop or at least I've heard good things about it. They drove and told me I needed a new Transmission. I wasn't there and I don't think even put it on a lift. I was hoping it was a bearing or maybe a broken mount. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LarryTJ]

Have you considered taking to another transmission shop for a second opinion? What did they quote you for new or rebuild? What state are you in?

 

[Wolverine2015]

Have you considered taking to another transmission shop for a second opinion? What did they quote you for new or rebuild? What state are you in?

I will get a 2nd opinion being I'm somewhat new to the area and don't 1st hand experience with any of the shops here in Savannah. I feels like a broken mount, but could be the Input Shaft. I am by no means a qualified Tech, so I'm hoping this Forum will assist with some good advice, especially if I have to replace the Trans. I've researched my options and there appears to be a few different trans models that apply to my Jeep. I have never liked this transmission. 1st is very low for daily driving, 2nd is a bit too high too high from a dead stop. Like all of these Manual TJ's, it's noisy, and on a hot summer day heats up the side of Tunnel wearing Flip Flops will burn your right foot LOL! Putting carpet back in would help, but it's a 2nd vehicle and my dog sheds a ton. If in fact a new trans is needed, hopefully I will get some good advice here. I've been reading about the Temec but not sure I want to keep my TJ long enough to recoup the expense before I move on to another toy to enjoy. I think it was the 780 mile round trip pulling a U-Haul Motorcycle Trailer with a 750 LBS Motorcycle for the last half of the trip didn't help. The next week I had to do the same thing for nearly 500 miles to get a recall performed on the Motorcycle in Daytona Beach. I'm sure it didn't help the 118k Slush Box.

 

[Wolverine2015]

Savannah Georgia. No quote yet.

 

[LarryTJ]

View attachment 288270

I will get a 2nd opinion being I'm somewhat new to the area and don't 1st hand experience with any of the shops here in Savannah. I feels like a broken mount, but could be the Input Shaft. I am by no means a qualified Tech, so I'm hoping this Forum will assist with some good advice, especially if I have to replace the Trans. I've researched my options and there appears to be a few different trans models that apply to my Jeep. I have never liked this transmission. 1st is very low for daily driving, 2nd is a bit too high too high from a dead stop. Like all of these Manual TJ's, it's noisy, and on a hot summer day heats up the side of Tunnel wearing Flip Flops will burn your right foot LOL! Putting carpet back in would help, but it's a 2nd vehicle and my dog sheds a ton. If in fact a new trans is needed, hopefully I will get some good advice here. I've been reading about the Temec but not sure I want to keep my TJ long enough to recoup the expense before I move on to another toy to enjoy. I think it was the 780 mile round trip pulling a U-Haul Motorcycle Trailer with a 750 LBS Motorcycle for the last half of the trip didn't help. The next week I had to do the same thing for nearly 500 miles to get a recall performed on the Motorcycle in Daytona Beach. I'm sure it didn't help the 118k Slush Box.

I could put a hot dog in a bun wrapped in aluminum foil and lay it on the floor board and eat it within a hour with all the heat generated from the underside. So, I ended up installing a sound barrier/heat barrier and can no longer warm my hot dogs.

Here is a thread on sound barrier/heat barrier products if your interested.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/sound-thermal-product-with-bedrug-acc-carpet.55593/

 

[Wolverine2015]

Thanks for the info on beating the heat.
Shop quoted $2750.00 for a Re-built transmission w/o Labor. Wasn't impressed with the price or the shop. $75.00 Diag. Fee. Was hoping to get sound advice from others that had replaced the Transmission replaced on their TJ.

 

[LarryTJ]

Take a look at this thread and Jerry's comments:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/thoughts-on-new-ax-15-transmission.18782/
Aisin AX15 5 Speed Transmission (NEW) (#26-AX15)

Retail Price: $1,661.60
https://www.advanceadapters.com/products/26-ax15--aisin-ax15-5-speed-transmission-new/

 

[LarryTJ]

You can always swap to an auto but it would probable cost a lot more since your having a shop do all the labor.

Some links that might interest you:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/swap-1998-4-0-manual-for-automatic-how-expensive.10277/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/switching-from-manual-to-automatic.28220/