Loud grinding! AT? TC? Troubleshooting tips?

[rough_idle]

Hi. I have a 79 Wag 360 that has intermittently started making LOUD grinding noises (as well as others) which I believe are transmission or transfer case related.

For example, the most severe sound, when cruising at 50-60mph or entering a turn, if I lift off the gas, the grinding sounds start, then when I apply gas, it disappears. Over the last two days, 500 miles (camping trip), this has started happend about 20-30 times.

Additionally, since January, when engaging into gear when the engine is cold, there's a loud clunk. Lastly when I'm turning, I hear squeaking.

Any comments? Forum topics I should look at?

Postscript: These forum's are a great resource. Good stuff.

[Rockwagon]

I don't know what transfer case you have but I would bet the chain is about to let go. Mine did that last during a camping trip and finnally let go. I was about 200 miles from the house. it turned into quite an adventure getting it home but I got it there.

[nightflyers]

When mine did that, the output shaft of the trans was worn at the splines. Took a while to figure it out.

[icavdiv4fun]

I like to check easy things first. What condition are your UJ in.

[rough_idle]

Thanks for the posts. Regarding transfer case chain reply, the grinding did have a chain sound, as if it was skimming over the teeth, but very loudly. I'll have to check the UJ's and tranny splines.

[Smooshy]

Mine does this too, I was about to post a new questions about this until I read this old post. Any thoughts on it, mine is getting worse. Its a weird grinding noise, almost like a raspy hum, loud too. It reminds me of the sound my 66 rambler made when it sliped gears because the DSPO put the wrong fluid in it. Also I though the chains would skip more when accelerating not deaccelerating??? I can get on it hard and it shifts great with no noise. Has new fluid and filter too.

[rough_idle]

I haven't diagnosed the sound any further, but I'm 85% certain that it's my transfer case chain. Interestingly, since a month ago, I fixed a vacuum leak problem at the t-case (control diaphragm and shifting shoe outlet) and the reservoir on the firewall, and I have not had any more grinding sounds!

[Grimjaw]

Yes this post is from 2002, but I am having the same issue. Was there ever a fix for this?

I picked up my J10 from the seller saturday and had this kind of trouble on the way home. The truck is a 1979 J10 with a 360/400/low gear/ BW1339. It was a 200 mile trip back home on secondary highways through the mountains. The truck started out ok. Just an odd grind or two in the first 25 miles. As the truck got warmer the grinding got MUCH worse.

The sound was like missing a gear on a manual transmission but no real loss of power. I found out if I changed my speed by tapping the brake or accelerator it would stop. It possibily could be the chain but I really have no idea.

I am always grateful for any help.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Check to be sure that both front and rear Driveshafts are on the truck. Check that there are no locking hubs in free position on the front. Also check that all 4 tires are of the same size. Find a road with loose dirt, mud, or snow/Ice and lock it in E-Drive and see if the noise, grinding stops. Sounds to me the clutch Cones are slipping in the Q-Trac and now you need to find out why. Though I would say from the distance you drove it and no telling how long before you bought it this problem existed, I would bet on needing to replace the T-Case.

[shackwrrr]

when and what had the e-drive and what is it because my j-20 just has the dana 20

[J4GRAND]

The e-drive is on rigs with the Quadratrac so you don't have to worry about it with a Dana 20.