Tranny Issues

[Lexonroids]

So my Bruce Jenner is not going into park now.

Had to do it. Anyway...

The truck in question is as follows.

1997 LX450
6" Slee lift w/ 37" BFG M/T's
ARB air Lockers
Cardan joints front and rear.

The truck is new to me. Bought it from Oklahoma.

But I am not new to FZJ's I also have another 1997 LX450 that I have had for 10 years now.

Onto the real issue. What has happened is this. I started getting some significant feedback issues and the noise of what I thought was the passenger side bearings giving out in my birf.

Not a huge issue as long as it is addressed quickly. But it got worse really fast.

As I was limping home I got more noise. What sounded like significant carnage coming from the drive train. Non of this though made the the truck pull to the right, or any steering issues caused by a seized bearing or wreckage inside the birf joint itself forcing more drag to that side.

I pulled over immediately into a church parking lot close to my house. I got out of the truck and felt the birfield housing for increased temperature or any possible signs of failure. There was nothing.

No more heat coming from them than is expected. It was for the most part the same temp as the other side and the rear axle.

No heat from the Differential itself. No slop in the drive shaft and u-joints or Cardan joints, everything nice and solid.

So I took a gamble and drove it the couple blocks home. What I got then was extremely labored acceleration. She just didn't want to move forward. Almost like I was power breaking her.

When I got her home and pulled into my driveway I attempted to put her in park.

She went into park no problem. The shift lever went right into position. But the truck just rolled backwards in my driveway.

Pulled her forward and tried again. Same issue.

I chocked the wheels and put on the parking break but am at a loss to what is going on.

Has anyone had a parking paw break in one of these rigs before. That is all I can figure has happened. But what with all of the carnage and wreckage noise from the front end?

I am at a loss. Any ideas from the gurus would be great.

 

[Tools R Us]

Sounds like something is broken in the drive train, most likely in the front axle, drive plate, birf, diff?

 

[Lexonroids]

Sounds like something is broken in the drive train, most likely in the front axle, drive plate, birf, diff?

Why would that keep it from going into park?

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Sounds like something is broken in the drive train, most likely in the front axle, drive plate, birf, diff?

Agreed. I'd tear into that front end and look for suspects.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Can you lock the CDL and see if that makes it catch?

 

[Tools R Us]

Why would that keep it from going into park?

Your Jenny is likely going into park. With AWD, if the connection to one of the tires is broken, there will be slip, park wont hold. When attempting to drive, the VC attempts to overcome it, but doesn't do a very good job, slips, doesn't have the go that it should. As FZJ80 in KC said, lock the center and see if park holds.

With the CDL unlocked, and pop the caps off of the drive plates, have a helper power break it. Likely the grinding noise will happen, likely the front drive shaft will turn. Look at the birf ends sticking out of the drive plates, is one turning? Even if not, should be able to hear where the noise is coming from.

 

[inkpot]

now we Know why it was for sale??

 

[Lexonroids]

now we Know why it was for sale??

Yeah. Maybe. When I first got it, it was showing no issues or problems. I have put about 750 miles on it.

 

[Lexonroids]

Your Jenny is likely going into park. With AWD, if the connection to one of the tires is broken, there will be slip, park wont hold. When attempting to drive, the VC attempts to overcome it, but doesn't do a very good job, slips, doesn't have the go that it should. As FZJ80 in KC said, lock the center and see if park holds.

With the CDL unlocked, and pop the caps off of the drive plates, have a helper power break it. Likely the grinding noise will happen, likely the front drive shaft will turn. Look at the birf ends sticking out of the drive plates, is one turning? Even if not, should be able to hear where the noise is coming from.

Good info. I will try that when I get home this evening.

 

[richardlillard1]

Kevin and John made it this far with only one tranny joke...are you guys feeling okay?

 

[Lexonroids]

Kevin and John made it this far with only one tranny joke...are you guys feeling okay?

I know. I started the whole thing on a tranny joke. Trying to stay light hearted about this problem. Come on guys.[emoji16]

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Maybe this lexus should get off the estrogen and back on the roids?.....I tried....

 

[Lexonroids]

now we Know why it was for sale??

Maybe this lexus should get off the estrogen and back on the roids?.....I tried....

I was thinking that maybe my original LX got jealous of the new one and sabotaged it.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

I know the wife may not agree, but even if the problem went so bad as having to put a new "Jenny" in, I think you're still above water on the purchase!

 

[Lexonroids]

I know the wife may not agree, but even if the problem went so bad as having to put a new "Jenny" in, I think you're still above water on the purchase!

Yeah, the wife likes this truck a bunch. Has already claimed it as her own. She was raised in a family that rebuilds classics. So she understands issues like this.

And like you said about being above water with it. I am not terribly upset about the situation. This rig was built right initially. I did the math on everything and it would cost me a lot more than what I paid to get my current LX450 to this level.

I have the ability to pull the transmission myself if I have to. And I have a buddy that builds dragsters that will rebuild the Jenny, if need be.

And If it is the front axle and not the trans... Well that means I guess I will have to get some of those fancy chromoly upgrade axles for it.

My biggest irritation is trying to diagnose exactly what it is. Once I get that figured I will be happier because that means I can get it fixed an back on the trail.

 

[Alleycats]

The simplest explanation here would be a stripped front drive flange.

 

[inkpot]

The simplest explanation here would be a stripped front drive flange.

Agree. Post #6 goes into detail on how to test the theory. Hope that's it, since it is cheap N easy to fix.

 

[Lexonroids]

Agree. Post #6 goes into detail on how to test the theory. Hope that's it, since it is cheap N easy to fix.

Just like @fzj80inKS and @toolsrus suggested. I did the sequence indicated on post 6 and it does have park when CDL is locked.

 

[grizzlygibbs]

Listen to ToolsrUs. Pull the grease caps, you can see if your drive flanges are stripped out.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Just like @fzj80inKS and @toolsrus suggested. I did the sequence indicated on post 6 and it does have park when CDL is locked.

Time for some chromolies!!!