[Seth2013]

Hi all

Started some long overdue maintenance on the jimny with the eventual goal that its going to be sold . anyway I have 2 problems which I cannot get to the bottom of.

1 - vibration between gearbox and transfer case, only apparent above 80km/hr. the uni on the transfer side is notchey just off centre and its one of the newer style jack shafts that have the "staked" uni joints - aka a lot of work to fix IF I can source a uni that gets clipped in from behind the yolk instead. however the other thing I have noticed is the jack shaft wobbles on the output shaft of the gearbox - not alot, but I think it could be enough for this noise. It's not leaking oil out of the rear seal which is a good sign- I think.
Background on this issue - it had a bad vibration in it when it was running the sierra case due to some incorrectly installed uni joints , that was fixed and everything was silent, however the noise started to return not too long ago. thats when I decided to throw the jimny case back in, only to find the noise was still there, my fear is the sierra jack shaft has been wearing the output shaft on the gearbox.

Just wondering if someone can check the output on their gearbox - or I'm open to suggestions.

2 - bearing noise in the rear end - mainly if you decelerate. I'm guessing the pinion bearing would be a good starting place here. it also has a ton of lash in it, too much for my liking.

Thanks in advance

[Technotron101]

Can't chime in on possible fixes unfortunately, so apologies, but just wanting to +1 on that rear end noise. I have the same in a sierra and was thinking the same symptoms. I'll be following this thread for sure

[Gwagensteve]

You’ve found the problem already. The notchy uni.

[Seth2013]

Gwagensteve wrote:

You’ve found the problem already. The notchy uni.

Thanks Steve. not looking foward to dealing with this staked uni rubbish and a new prop shaft is $400+ so It may end up being sold with a sierra case after all, I might just see If I can find a case with stock gears that is in reasonable condition.

[Seth2013]

update for technotron101 or if any other unlucky sole has any of these problems

Technotron101 wrote:

Can't chime in on possible fixes unfortunately, so apologies, but just wanting to +1 on that rear end noise. I have the same in a sierra and was thinking the same symptoms. I'll be following this thread for sure

found that the drivers side rear axle was sliding in and out 2-3mm. getting a replacement today and hoping to have it fitted by the end of the week so we'll see if that helps at all.

currently given up on the other problems so hoping this solves one. still don't want to sell it but the new (to me) e-bike is now here and needs its cost offset.

[Technotron101]

Wow that's interesting. What was letting it do that?

[Seth2013]

Well in all honesty After replacing the bearing and having the exact same amount of play it, seems that the bearings have alot of slop in them. Is this normal and acceptible? After googling and YouTubing I sad to think it might be, but some confirmation from another owner would be good.

If it is the case, I'm a tad concerned. And I know that everyone is going to say ohh well it's worked fine for millions of people over millions of kilometers ... But seriously every other Japanese car I have ever owned the wheels stay in the same place other than rotating

Add to that the fact that a very poor interference fit is the only thing keeping the rear wheel in the axle (other than the brake backing plate, some fresh air, sunshine and wishful thinking).

Also in other news, this probably means I'm back to square 1 in finding my noises.

[Gwagensteve]

You’re chasing shadows.

You have ring and pinion wear or bearing wear in the diff centre that’s upsetting the ring and pinion pattern, hence the rear diff noise.

You have a worn out uni on the jackshaft.

Have you accurately measured the in-out play on the rear wheelbearings? There is a spec. Yes, the axle is retained by the press fit of the bearing on the shaft, the interference fit into the bearing housing, and the brake backing plate, just like 47573957385748 other semi floating rear axles. It’s not a problem you need to fix and it isn’t the source of your noise.

[Seth2013]

Gwagensteve wrote:

You’re chasing shadows.

You have ring and pinion wear or bearing wear in the diff centre that’s upsetting the ring and pinion pattern, hence the rear diff noise.

You have a worn out uni on the jackshaft.

Have you accurately measured the in-out play on the rear wheelbearings? There is a spec. Yes, the axle is retained by the press fit of the bearing on the shaft, the interference fit into the bearing housing, and the brake backing plate, just like 47573957385748 other semi floating rear axles. It’s not a problem you need to fix and it isn’t the source of your noise.

yeah yeah, lesson learnt, consult the manual prior to replacing a bearing and finding out that the allowed "Thrust Play Limit" is .... 0.8 mm .

staked non serviceable uni's, death wobble (fixed .. for the moment), etc. etc. ... "jimny life" or should I just say "modern car ownership life"

[Seth2013]

By no means is this a "I told you so" however I have engaged some smuggness for the following. Turns out the grinding noise off power and when coasting was actually a failed rear wheel bearing.

It had everyone convinced it was the diff (including me) and got waaay worse in the last few days. One noise that started happening sounded like the brake was rubbing so I pulled the drum off to inspect hoping to limp it along another week so I could track a diff down and get it shipped. And then i found grease everywhere behind the drum and also Lots of play ... not just 0.8mm in and out. fluked a bearing in stock on Saturday at the local repco so slammed that in today so I can get to work on Tuesday and was stunned to find my diff pinion noise was also gone. . . So the moral of the story is, I don't know, maybe never rule anything out, the bearing only had the same in spec 0.8mm play when I falsely swapped the other side thinking it was faulty, it wasnt discernably hotter on the hub everything seemed normal a few months ago, as well as everyone who heard it saying it was diff noise.

So I'm down a problem, victory and for only $50 as well. In other news, my daily got written off (well insured in a hailstorm another victory ) so for the first time ever the Jimbo has stepped up to daily duties, lucky I couldn't bear to sell the little turd and had procrastinated the fix up to get it ready for sale. In short, it's gutless, gets thrown around in the wind and isn't awesome on fuel and I love it.

Still chasing the prop shaft vibration, going to price a replacement from a wrecker and report back. . . Knowing me in 10 months time. Also have a strange pulse in the power when driving along at low rpm in high gears. Any ideas on this are appreciated.