Rattle from Transfer Case / 4WD Shifter

[HaskeewCJ7]

Hi All, Chapter 2 of my new to me 1985 CJ7 - AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l - 4 Speed. When I test drove the jeep shifted well and the Transmission sounded great. She didn't want to go in 4H right away but got it to go and got it back out. Trailered home from Iowa and am driving around town and now have a rattle in the Transfer Case / 4WD Shifter. As I ease the clutch out starting in first I get a rattle of 3-4 time and then it goes away as I speed up. I can see the shifter moving right to left. Obviously not a good thing. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Do you still have the front hubs locked?

 

[gert]

Transmission mount still good? Torque arm bushing good?


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[HaskeewCJ7]

Mtnwhlr, yes the hubs are unlocked.

Gert, thanks fore the suggestions, at this point just trying to get ideas of where to start. I am guessing that the test drive and struggling to put it in 4H jarred something loose or broke it and now I have my issues

Open to any other suggestions from others as well. I'm just learning so any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Torxhead]

I would suggest a new set of polyurethane motor and tranny mounts and tighten up the torque arm. Remove the Transfer Case lever to see if it is banging against the hump.

 

[jp360cj]

I am guessing that the test drive and struggling to put it in 4H jarred something loose or broke it and now I have my issues

I doubt it.

I would also check the engine mounts and the Transfer Case shifter itself for slop. Have someone move the shifter around and watch from underneath. There may be some worn parts for movement.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Replace all of the mounts and torque arm bushings.
LG

 

[HaskeewCJ7]

So its definitely the 4wd Shifter rattling against the tub because if I hold the 4wd shifter i can feel the rattle and it doesnt make the noise when I start out.

Again I am mechanically inclined but have not torn apart cars or in this case a Jeep yet. How difficult is it to replace the shifter bushings and tranny mounts. Do I have the drop the tranny/Transfer Case or can you remove one bolt at a time and re insert the new mounts.

I appreciate all of the responses already! You guys are a huge help!

 

[jp360cj]

So its definitely the 4wd Shifter rattling against the tub because if I hold the 4wd shifter i can feel the rattle and it doesnt make the noise when I start out.

Again I am mechanically inclined but have not torn apart cars or in this case a Jeep yet. How difficult is it to replace the shifter bushings and tranny mounts. Do I have the drop the tranny/Transfer Case or can you remove one bolt at a time and re insert the new mounts.

I appreciate all of the responses already! You guys are a huge help!

I've never done the Dana 300 shifter bushings, so I can't comment on that, but for the Transmission mount you can do it with the Transmission in. After bolting the Transmission mount bushing, You'll need to jack the Transmission up to get the old mount out and put the new one in.

Take a look at the engine mounts too. They may also need replacing and can contribute drivetrain movement. You can do them 1 at a time while supporting engine with a jack.