Ouch. So I posted a month or so ago about what I thought was chain noise in my NP231. When I took right turns I'd get a slight rubbing/grinding sound, kind of like something spinning was rubbing against something that wasn't. It was very subtle and only happened when accelerating on highway on ramps. Front driveshaft is fine, no signs of wear. Can feel the vibration in the 4WD shifter handle. Now the bad part....
Over the next few weeks the sound got louder and louder and started to do it all the time. Sometimes I could lay off the gas or hit a bump and it would go away for a while. Thought it might be the linkage or a loose chain I thought I would just remove the linkage first and keep it in 2WD just to rule some things out. Still makes the noise!!! And FYI the linkage was sloppy so I'm not sure I was 100% engaged or disengaged. I can use a pry bar and cycle through the transfer case gear positions just fine. It feels normal when I shift it manually.
Now it is howling! If I hit a bump the right way or get underneath and play with the shifter arm the noise might go away a bit...but hit another bump and it comes right back.
I'm thinking I either have a very stretched chain, or the shift fork is bent and not shifting 100%. Either way I'm heading to the junkyard tomorrow to pick up a used NP231 to swap in over the weekend. BTW, the noise increases with vehicle speed not engine speed.
Here is a video with audio to give you guys an idea. Yes, its a KJ Liberty but the NP231 is the same and you guys tend to be the most knowledgeable with this stuff so I'm hoping you can help. Thanks!
FYI...the video sounds like it has too much bass. It is definitely not as deep sounding in person. The video starts with me at a full stop and I start accelerating.
Over the next few weeks the sound got louder and louder and started to do it all the time. Sometimes I could lay off the gas or hit a bump and it would go away for a while. Thought it might be the linkage or a loose chain I thought I would just remove the linkage first and keep it in 2WD just to rule some things out. Still makes the noise!!! And FYI the linkage was sloppy so I'm not sure I was 100% engaged or disengaged. I can use a pry bar and cycle through the transfer case gear positions just fine. It feels normal when I shift it manually.
Now it is howling! If I hit a bump the right way or get underneath and play with the shifter arm the noise might go away a bit...but hit another bump and it comes right back.
I'm thinking I either have a very stretched chain, or the shift fork is bent and not shifting 100%. Either way I'm heading to the junkyard tomorrow to pick up a used NP231 to swap in over the weekend. BTW, the noise increases with vehicle speed not engine speed.
Here is a video with audio to give you guys an idea. Yes, its a KJ Liberty but the NP231 is the same and you guys tend to be the most knowledgeable with this stuff so I'm hoping you can help. Thanks!
FYI...the video sounds like it has too much bass. It is definitely not as deep sounding in person. The video starts with me at a full stop and I start accelerating.