Cracked tranny question.

[scully]

After last weeks run, my heep decided to mark its territory on the garage floor. I finally got a chance to take off the skid and hunt around for the source of the leak. It looks like I have developed a crack right over the drivers side rear tranny mount.

The question is, can this crack be welded or do I need to replace the tranny/case.

To fill in the picture with a bit more info: 95 YJ w/4.0 & AX15. It’s currently got about 113,000 miles on it. I did the flat skid mod a couple of months ago (built a cross member with poly bushing ends and put in 1" poly mm lift) and the jeeps had about 5 runs with the flat skid.

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[shocker75]

I would start the search for a replacement. If it was strictly a street queen, I would take it and have it welded, as it would never see the stresses of off-road activities

[AZXJ]

Clean it up and JB weld it.. As long as you keep gear oil in it, you'll be fine. Untill the case splits even more or the transmission eventually fails..

[BBP]

Clean it... clean it again.. use JB weld. That stuff will fix anything 'cept a broken heart or the crack of dawn.

Follow the directions....

[shocker75]

JB weld is a patch at best! It will keep cracking if its not properly repaired. Bad advise

[AZXJ]

it's an AX15 transmission.. They are a dime a dozen.. a cheap patch that will last untill he can replace the transmission eventually.. Please explain how this is bad advice ??

[shocker75]

it's an AX15 transmission.. They are a dime a dozen.. a cheap patch that will last untill he can replace the transmission eventually.. Please explain how this is bad advice ??Because you didnt tell him to run it as a temp patch. Some people are not fountains of knowledge and need their hands held, most likely (no offense scully) the original poster would leave it a permanent solution. The problem with patching a crack with JB weld is that it will continue to crack, just like a crack on a frame if its not done properly.

[danno]

My vote is notch it, clean it and TIG it.

[shocker75]

My vote is notch it, clean it and TIG it.
Exactly! That is THE best and correct way to fix it.


JB Weld has its place...dudes transmission isnt one of them

[highjeeps]

Clean it... clean it again.. use JB weld. That stuff will fix anything 'cept a broken heart or the crack of dawn.

Follow the directions....

You forgot to credit Mark Salem with that quote. :D

[scully]

I figured that if I couldn't have the crack welded that I would have to replace the tranny. I was just trying to get around from having to pull the transmission. As far as the JB weld goes, that would make me nervous on the trail. It would only be a matter of time before the case split more and dumped its contents on the trail. Luckily this isn't a DD, so I have some time to hunt down a new trans. But I will keep the JB weld in mind if I have to move the jeep before it gets fixed.

Dan, I heard you’re the man when it comes to TIG, feel like proving those rumors true?:D

On a side note, I was thinking of swapping in a NV3550, but I came across a thread that stated that parts were not being made for this tranny any more. Can anyone verify that? I've got a couple of feelers out on it, but have not heard back yet.

[danno]

If you were going to do the repair right, you would need to pull the transmission, drain it, and then do a really good cleaning around the area of the crack...

I could probably do this repair, only there is one problem... I don't have a tig machine :)

If you are going to have to pull the tranny anyway, maybe you should look at getting a replacement to determine ballpark cost...

I have not heard this about the NV3550. Advance Adapters would know for sure... They sell re manufactured NV3550s and kits that allow you to put them in Jeeps...

Or you could take Dave up on his offer... A dime a dozen sounds like a pretty good deal... No really, he may have a line on getting a used one pretty cheap.

[1BLKJP]

The JB Weld on the Tranny Case will not work at least on my auto it didn't. Let it setup all night when I had a crack on the case and when I got home the next day it was all gone. Don't know what the temps were, but they were too hot for the JB Weld.

You are just going to have to swap out the tranny bro. I feel your pain though. Since you gotta do it, now's a good time to go to an auto. :D

[rvisokey]

I have used Aluma-Weld before. Just need a propane torch and a clean area.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALUMINUM-WELD-10-RODS_W0QQitemZ150145151456QQihZ005QQcategoryZ11704 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It would be better than JB weld and close in strength to the TIG patch, however, you should just think about replacing the case as I wouldn't call it permanent.

[scully]

I've been doing some hunting for the tranny, and as luck would have it I can't find one!:mad: I've found a couple of places that sell rebuilt units and Airpark can get them new, so it looks like those are my best options at this point.
I did find out today that my work has the setup for welding alum, but I'm afraid that if I go that route the case will give up the ghost at the worst possible time.
Does anyone have an AX15 or NV3550 kicking aroun that they aren't using?:D

[MadCarlisle]

Scully -

Contact Ratman, he has/had one on Craigslist.

If not I have one that I purchased from Jeepnut. I could part with it if needed.


(Both his and mine are AX-15's)

[scully]

Scully -

Contact Ratman, he has/had one on Craigslist.

If not I have one that I purchased from Jeepnut. I could part with it if needed.


(Both his and mine are AX-15's)

Thanks Mark, PM sent!

[scully]

Mark, thanks for the tranny! I started pulling apart the jeep yesterday for the swap, with any luck (and time) the YJ should be up and running soon!

Thanks again!

[MadCarlisle]

Bryan -

Your welcome! Let me know how the install goes.

Mark

[jeff krause]

So did you determine the cause of the 'crack' ?????