Holy jumping shift lever, Batman!!

[LanceRobson]

Riddle me this, Batman....

I've got an M35A2 with a condition that concerns me.

When the clutch is let out in a forward gear, the shift lever jumps to the right about 3/4 to 7/8". It does it the same whether it's in high or low transfer and in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear. I didn't check 4th or 5th.

In reverse, there is little or no measurable movement. Maybe 1/16 to 1/8" to the left. It's more felt with the fingertips than seen.

The clutch free travel is 3/4". There is no sign of anything loose or moving as observed from under the truck (engine, tranny, etc)

The truck odometer shows 51K and it seems to have more vibration and noise from the drive line than our other trucks exhibit.

I checked a few other of the deuces and came up with the following:

Truck #1, 6K on a fresh engine and transmission, no visible movement.

Truck #2, 21K, no visible movement.

Truck #3, 9K on a fresh engine and transmission, no visible movement.

Obviously it's an issue for only the one truck, maybe associated with wear due to the mileage?

A forum search and a search of the TMs haven't come up with anything.

Can someone point me in the right direction to solve this?

The Number 1 son wants to put this one on the road because it has single XLs. He works at 4 AM and the roads aren't yet plowed then.

Thanks

Lance

 

[WillWagner]

Check the motor mount rubbers.

 

[powerhouseduece]

Check the motor mount rubbers.

 

[LanceRobson]

OK, I'll do that tomorrow. On a cursory inspection, laying under the truck while the #1 Son let out he clutch, I didn't see anything , but it certainly wasn't a thorough inspection.

Thanks

EDIT: Wouldn't a motor mount make the engine twist the same in forward or reverse gears? The torque on the engine is in the same direction, it doesn't know you're in reverse, right?

 

[hippiedude]

Dude , don`t lay under the truck while #1 son dumps the clutch .. ..... But I say check your trany and motor mounts........ Tim

 

[FMJ]

yeah, but the driveshaft is turning the oposite direction in reverse.

Gotta watch out for them bad rubbers....

 

[SCSG-G4]

Just might be worn shifting forks inside the transmission, as it slides into complete alignment of the gears. Especially if it's a true 51K on the engine and transmission. My deuce with 41K miles shows a bit of this in all the forward gears.

 

[WillWagner]

Mine does move a bit when in forward gears, but nowhere near an inch. I do have a squashed mount rubber..I hate it when my rubber is squashed

 

[DDoyle]

Does this truck have an air-shift, or a sprag-type transfer case?

 

[littlebob]

Mine does move a bit when in forward gears, but nowhere near an inch. I do have a squashed mount rubber..I hate it when my rubber is squashed

littlebob

 

[LanceRobson]

Does this truck have an air-shift, or a sprag-type transfer case?

Dave, it's got an air shift and it didn't make a difference whether it was IN or OUT.

Lance

 

[Alex400]

EDIT: Wouldn't a motor mount make the engine twist the same in forward or reverse gears? The torque on the engine is in the same direction, it doesn't know you're in reverse, right?

Well with trans in forward gear the driveshaft will want to turn to the right. If the driveshaft doesn't turn, (foot on the brakes) or there is a load on, the engine and trans are going to try and torque a little in the direction that the shaft is turning. So, in forward gear the engine will want to twist to the right and in revers it will want to twist to the left. My Toyota 4Runner does this in both forward and reverse gears, especially in low range when there is more torque being applied.

The reason you probably haven't noticed it in higher gears is because of the lack of gear reduction in those gears. In the lower gears, 1st, and 2nd especially, the torque is multiplied much more so than in 4th and 5th, making the movement more prominent.

I would check the motor mounts as well as the trans mount.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[OD_Coyote]

Ditto on the xfercase mounts.
You may want to check them alll while you are at it.

 

[Jake0147]

Riddle me this, Batman....
When the clutch is let out in a forward gear, the shift lever jumps to the right about 3/4 to 7/8". It does it the same whether it's in high or low transfer and in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear. I didn't check 4th or 5th.

Left rear motor mount.

 

[LanceRobson]

OK, I didn't think it was a motor mount because I'd eyeballed the engine, from above and from in front of it, while the clutch was let out and didn't see abnormal movement.

So, we moved the truck to a flat part of the driveway and I lay under it while my son let the clutch out (communicating by phone) and lo and behold, the whole transmission case is rotating behind the transmission's bell housing. So the cap screws behind the pressure plates that hold the clutch cover to the transmission are loose.

Does any one know if there is enough clearance to get at them without removing the pressure plates?

Thanks

Lance

 

[beaubeau]

Lance , I was going to tell you to check Trans. Bolts, but it seems you found that out!! I can't tell you how to tighten the bolts without removal of Trans. Check it out good and see if you can get a wrench in there, even if you have to Heat up the Wrench and Bend it to your Desire. I have many Custom Wrenches in my tool box modified with the Torches! You may be able to get at some, but I doubt if you can get them all. Good luck, Phil

 

[Matt1970M35A]

you said the transmission case is rotating behind the transmission's bell housing.
I thank if you remove the coupler for the transmission to transfer case and unbolt the bell housing the entire thing will move back enough for you to tightin the bolts
Use a good floor jack and have some help. I would aslo check the rear out put shaft bearing for any side to side play. If their is any at all replace the rear bearing or you will have pic 3
Hope this helps

 

[LanceRobson]

Thanks, everybody.

Lance