Rattle Coming From 4WD Shift Lever (2 Viewers)

[70 FJ40]

I've got a rattle coming from my 4WD shift lever. Gets pretty loud and annoying. If I push the shift lever forward all the way it will stop but it slides back and starts rattling again within just a few hundred feet of driving. I would guess I'm not the only one with this. How do I fix it? Is there something worn out on top of the transfer case where the shift lever comes out that I can replace?

 

[brian]

Par for the course
Nothing really to replace.
Its metal on metal pivot points.

 

[GA Architect]

I've got a rattle coming from my 4WD shift lever. Gets pretty loud and annoying. If I push the shift lever forward all the way it will stop but it slides back and starts rattling again within just a few hundred feet of driving. I would guess I'm not the only one with this. How do I fix it? Is there something worn out on top of the transfer case where the shift lever comes out that I can replace?

You can try greasing the zerk that is on the lever rod for the pivot bolt.

 

[Billsboat]

I find with these older rigs (I also have a 1971 bronco) the noise is part of the ombeonce

 

[Steamer]

There's a hand full of moving parts and pivot points in the t-case shifting assembly. Add them up along with some wear on each and it can develop a bit of slop in it all. You may want to check for loose parts. Recently when I had the hump off, I removed my sloppy assembly and disassembled it for cleaning and painting. The washers & cotter pins I removed may have been badly worn or even the wrong size but after a trial and error replacement of fresh ones, I got it tightened up somewhat and it made a difference in the overall slop. Enough of a difference to move that "twin stick" mod down further on the priority list.
Grant it, having the hump off and being sprung over made it more accessible so it was fairly easy.

 

[reddingcruiser]

And.......

 

[Downey]

1. You have a top bolt-on guide plate that prevents you from going into low range until you are in 4WD. You could install a piece of rubber hose onto the shift lever where it goes through the guide plate to prevent metal to metal contact at that location.
2. You could remove the guide plate altogether, then you could use low range without being in 4WD, BUT then you have to respect what you have done since it will now be possible to put twice the power to the rear differential gears. I use to use this feature to pull my boat up a steep boat ramp where I didn't have a traction problem, just a power problem.

 

[65swb45]

YMMV. YOU have to look at YOUR linkage and determine which ones are loose. Some can be dealt with by sleeving with thin wall rubber tubing. Others way require ‘fattening’up the metal to take up slop. It’s pretty much a custom, rig by rig process.

My early door handles rattled. I welded some extra metal onto the handles, and some to the hole in the door skin. And I fattened up the latches. Different parts, similar process.

 

[RustyRanger]

Bungie cord it so it's pulled forward?

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

Par for the course

never understood these responses...my ride is fairly quite and I dont have any rattle in this area.

Its not par for the course unless you just dont care. It takes a little effort, but there is no reason why you cant eliminate most rattles.
Every time I post asking for help, Its always the same response..."live with it", and each time I find the solution on my own and enjoy my ride even more. My FJ40 is a pleasure to drive and is 90% rattle free.

Some take longer than others, and sometimes the source is nowhere near where you think it is. But in the end its always worth the effort.

 

[brian]

never understood these responses...my ride is fairly quite and I dont have any rattle in this area.

Its not par for the course unless you just dont care. It takes a little effort, but there is no reason why you cant eliminate most rattles.
Every time I post asking for help, Its always the same response..."live with it", and each time I find the solution on my own and enjoy my ride even more. My FJ40 is a pleasure to drive and is 90% rattle free.

Some take longer than others, and sometimes the source is nowhere near where you think it is. But in the end its always worth the effort.

You also dont have the earlier the linkage.
It is par for the course with the nonsplit cases.
And I didn't say it couldnt quieted.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

never understood these responses...my ride is fairly quite and I dont have any rattle in this area.

Its not par for the course unless you just dont care. It takes a little effort, but there is no reason why you cant eliminate most rattles.
Every time I post asking for help, Its always the same response..."live with it", and each time I find the solution on my own and enjoy my ride even more. My FJ40 is a pleasure to drive and is 90% rattle free.

Some take longer than others, and sometimes the source is nowhere near where you think it is. But in the end its always worth the effort.

I’m curious why you keep asking questions, if all you’re doing is wasting your time and everyone else’s.

Why can’t you just figure out how to fix your issue and then, please, post it up so everyone can benefit?

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

I’m curious why you keep asking questions, if all you’re doing is wasting your time and everyone else’s.

Why can’t you just figure out how to fix your issue and then, please, post it up so everyone can benefit?

forget your coffee this morning?

Ive never wasted anyones time...maybe you should take the time to review my posts. My comment is a general comment regarding a tired response on this forum regarding noisy rides. I hear it over and over that we must just accept it. Bull****, I have never accepted that and my FJ40 is solid as a result. Ive shared my discoveries many times and try to help whenever I can.

 

[middlecalf]

I've grown accustomed to the rattles, it lets me know there is still something attached there.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Plenty of good home remedies around for the OEM shifter rattle if you want to keep it.

If you're not a purist, like the thought of having 2WD Lo easily available and are looking for a new toy to install, twin sticks are nice.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

forget your coffee this morning?

Ive never wasted anyones time...maybe you should take the time to review my posts.

I have no need to review your posts.

I was curious about this one “Every time I post asking for help, Its always the same response..."live with it", and each time I find the solution on my own and enjoy my ride even more.”.

Why keep asking?

 

[AutaviaFJ40]

I have no need to review your posts.

I was curious about this one “Every time I post asking for help, Its always the same response..."live with it", and each time I find the solution on my own and enjoy my ride even more.”.

Why keep asking?

seriously man...you think Ive asked multiple times about the exact same noise or leak?



and just to clarify my original post, "find the solution on my own" I didn't mean that others haven't assisted me with a solution or pointing me in the right direction. This Forum is amazing, the wealth of knowledge is priceless which is why im here. What I meant is that despite some saying "just live with it" or the "FJ40 cant be sealed from leaks" Ive gone on to find the solution and fixed the leaks or the noises. Ive been told several times that you can't make the 40 water tight...yet mine doesnt leak anymore. Ive heard that these noises just need to be accepted, yet I dont have the rattles anymore. My point was dont accept that you have to live with it...anything is possible.

 

[65swb45]

I would like to clarify my previous post.

I made it on the assumption that the transfer case was already known to be in good working order. A worn Hi-lo shift fork is often part of the reason for the buzz in the stick.

So if you don’t know for a fact that the fork, collar and hi speed gear are in good working order, I recommend an inspection before moving to the bandaid phase.

 

[okieshan]

I did a Bandaid fix for my linkage rattle by twisting a piece if soft wire to simulate a spacer. Fixed the rattle and shift works well 5 years and running

 

[Solace in Solitude]

seriously man...you think Ive asked multiple times about the exact same noise or leak?



and just to clarify my original post, "find the solution on my own" I didn't mean that others haven't assisted me with a solution or pointing me in the right direction. This Forum is amazing, the wealth of knowledge is priceless which is why im here. What I meant is that despite some saying "just live with it" or the "FJ40 cant be sealed from leaks" Ive gone on to find the solution and fixed the leaks or the noises. Ive been told several times that you can't make the 40 water tight...yet mine doesnt leak anymore. Ive heard that these noises just need to be accepted, yet I dont have the rattles anymore. My point was dont accept that you have to live with it...anything is possible.

Well said!!

Good of you to explain exactly what you were apparently trying to say in the first place!!

Poorly worded responses to the posts of others often come across as snide and insulting.