2002 LC Transmission or Transfer Case Help

[hyjinx]

Hi, I am looking for some help diagnosing my 2002 LC issue.
While driving on the highway at approximately 75-80 MPH it seemed like the transmission became disengaged with a bad noise that would increase as the engine RPM’s increased. I shifted the transmission into neutral and coasted into a rest stop. When I attempted to shift into drive the same noise happens which sounds like gravel churning in the transfer case or transmission. I shifted the transfer case into high and low and it seems to make the same noise and the vehicle does not move. Occasionally when shifting between high and low it would engage in low and the vehicle would move. It seemed as load increased it would disengage and make the noise again. I would have to shift in and out of high and low before I could get it to engage into low again.
Also I searched and found that drive plates can fail and you can verify this by locking the center diff and if it drives that is the issue. Unfortunately this did not change anything for me.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Wayne

 

[skhochay]

Hi, I am looking for some help diagnosing my 2002 LC issue.
While driving on the highway at approximately 75-80 MPH it seemed like the transmission became disengaged with a bad noise that would increase as the engine RPM’s increased. I shifted the transmission into neutral and coasted into a rest stop. When I attempted to shift into drive the same noise happens which sounds like gravel churning in the transfer case or transmission. I shifted the transfer case into high and low and it seems to make the same noise and the vehicle does not move. Occasionally when shifting between high and low it would engage in low and the vehicle would move. It seemed as load increased it would disengage and make the noise again. I would have to shift in and out of high and low before I could get it to engage into low again.
Also I searched and found that drive plates can fail and you can verify this by locking the center diff and if it drives that is the issue. Unfortunately this did not change anything for me.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Wayne

hard to tell, based on your description - can you sample transmission fluid - suppose to be amber red, no dark in it, does it smelled like rotten eggs? did you ever flushed it? I do not believe it is transmission, but transfer case that can be, also inspect the fluid.

 

[hyjinx]

I will check fluids and post a video of the noise later today. The truck has around 160k miles on it and the differentials, TC and trans fluid were changed around 120k. Thanks.

 

[re_guderian]

You need to remove front driveshaft to isolate drive plates and front diff (while engaging the center diff lock).

 

[hyjinx]

I drained the transmission and transfer case fluid and they both seem fine without debris or odd smells.

 

[hyjinx]

I will pull the front driveshaft to check the drive plates now.

Here is a video of the noise it is making.



I appreciate the advise.

 

[hyjinx]

Well it does the same w/ the center diff locked an driveshaft out. While on the lift I kept it running and put a screwdriver to both the trans and tc and the noise is coming from the trans. Anyone selling a trans for a 2002 LC?