NV3550 sounds like a Tank Track**Final Update**

[korisu56]

As the title says.

The culprit acts when coasting above ~20 mph. The jeep has ~65K on it. The sound is loud and I can feel the play in the shifter itself. It goes into gear fine, seems to drive fine. I just got done changing a hub assembly that I broke last time out and test drove around the block. My buddy that was in front of me heard it over his radio. Ideas

[miljeep]

Sounds like it could be your transmission.

[crazy4ink]

there is a plastic cup that your shifter rides in. If you pull the top 4 bolts and remove your shifter, you can get a pretty good view down into the tranny without losing any fluid. When I had my NV3550 in my TJ it was pretty quite.

[korisu56]

Jeff brought a De Dee De moment to my life. What happens when you drown your jeep repeatedly for two days? Water seepage. What happens when you park it for a week and change after? Separation. Why I didn't think of all this? Disclaimer

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Jeff brought a De Dee De moment to my life. What happens when you drown your jeep repeatedly for two days? Water seepage. What happens when you park it for a week and change after? Separation. Why I didn't think of all this? Disclaimer


Bro...I'd listen to him...he sounds like he might know what he is talking about...then again I have a broken watch that is still right twice a day...go figure. :cool:

[highlandercj-7]

One of my friends just broke the case on his tj's 3550. He thinks it was because he was running a poly mount and rubber engine mounts. So just a lil info for you.

[korisu56]

Thanks for the heads up. I really need to get some skids kickin here soon ....

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Thanks for the heads up. I really need to get some skids kickin here soon ....

...and perhaps longer vent lines!:D

[theyeti1775]

...and perhaps longer vent lines!:D

So we doing a fluid change out before your trip to Deleware.

[korisu56]

Gonna do it today after I get done with my paper.

[TheRenegade]

Gonna do it today after I get done with my paper.

Ahhh, the "busy, busy days of clearing"......:eek::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

[korisu56]

Well. Fluid didn't do it. Gonna check the t-case tomorrow morning. Just checkin boxes at this point.

[TexCJ7]

dude if i was your jeep i would kill myself, maybe thats what its doin

[korisu56]

Dude, we try to not post personal pictures of ourselves in the avatar....

So you got out of the Army and thought you should grow your hair out? I'd get it cut again slacker.

[03Sahara]

Chris sounds similar to my issue........still haven't figured it out good luck

[korisu56]

I'm moving on to tcase. I'm gonna check the output shaft to make sure it's not loose.

[03Sahara]

Let me know what the issue is........maybe I have the same one

[supr_fly03]

Well this may be or may not be an issue with you. The NV3550 has a strange noise that emanates over time as a result of the reverse shaft and gear spinning while in neutral and forward gears makes a noise similar to what you hear.

[Truck]

Chris, I don't know if you figured it out but I saw this on maryland creepers if you need it: http://www.marylandcreepers.com/MCForums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43800

Truck

[korisu56]

Thanks for the link. Been busy with finals and a wedding, but I'll be getting to it ASAP

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Buy it Bro...then use your junk for a science experiment and learn how to do a rebuild on the old ones. You can get that Hurst shifter you've been wanting too!

[korisu56]

I wish. As soon as we get my wife's car up and running I'll start begging again.

[ChiefMike]

I am having the same sorta sound. Tank track is a pretty good explanation of the sound. Mine however is only when I accelerate and immediatly stops if I push the clutch in and is barely noticable when I am off the gas or decelerating.

I just swapped the gear oil in the tranny. It was DARK and I just replaced it ~15 or 20K ago. However, I drove it from San Diego, to Keesler AFB and here to NoVA. So that didn't srprise me too much. No BIG flakes in the fluid, but I did see small shiney brass colored flakes and it did look like a good bit of wear. The sound seemed to go away after the new fluid and I noticed it was noticibly quieter ideling in neutral. When I drove it, it was quiet for a few minutes but as soon as the tranny warmed up it was back.

It just started last week. For me but isn't THAT loud. I have replaced the fluid in the transfer case as well. Surprisingly the transfer case was low. I found fluid built up around the bell housing on the SYE too.

I am beginning to wonder if the front U-joints are the prob or perhaps if the diffs are making the racket.

When the noise started my first instinct was u-joints. The rear is a CV driveshaft on a SYE so I am praying it's not those. But the noise deff seems to be center or forward.

My plan right now is to pull the front driveshaft OFF and see how that affects the noise. I am gonna go ahead and swap the fluid in both diffs just to see how much wear is going on and to make myself feel better. Anyone on Ft Belvoir wanna swing by and help, I am jet lagged from getting in on the red-eye from Hawaii this morning and could use another set of hands.

[ChiefMike]

Well, I found MY problem. The pinon gear on DANA 44 rear end took a hit and has sheared some teeth off.

Anyone got a DANA 44 with a 3.73 they wanna get rid of?

[korisu56]

Glad you found your problem. Not this weekend but next, I will be replacing my starter and nursing it to Belvoir where Josh (94GC) will be pulling my broken POS up to Delaware. she's hurtin right now, can't wait to get it fixed

[94GC52]

You sure you want to nurse it to Belvoir? We could just tow it from where it sits now and rip it apart. But we'll talk further on tuesday.

[korisu56]

It's really up to you buddy. I just want to do what is better for you. I'll listen for the phone.

[highlandercj-7]

Good luck on finding a D44, if you do and decide to sell what's left of yours let me know lol.. I'd just re-gear yours though. That axle sells complete usually around 800.00, you can rebuild yours with a locker for that.

[murphy]

i had the same problem last year on my nv3550 turned out to be a mangled counter shaft bearing

[korisu56]

*Update*

I actually got a chance to jump under and look at the driveline. Every single one of my u-joints in both shafts are shot as is my starter. I bought a new starter (arrival time tomorrow) and replaced all of the rear u-joints. 9 out of the 12 ujoints in the rear shaft had either no bearing pins and/or grease, or they were fused together. Hopefully after I plug the new starter in tomorrow I can give the sucker a shot and a good drive and bath.

[Dragline]

Hey Chris, thanks for the update, was wondering what you found. Hopefully the u-joints are the firm fix, let us know...

[korisu56]

The u-joints were definitely the track sound. Now that that's blown over, I heard/felt something in the steering wheel after driving 45 miles from home, and it turned out to be the front passenger axle u-joint missing two caps. Such is life. The new starter fired up the first time with zero issues, so at least she runs. She'll sit for one more week as I'll be in VA until Thursday, then to Indianapolis for the weekend, then back here. She'll get the new u-joint the same day I arrive, and I continue my hunt for broken shit. :)

[crazy4ink]

Glad to hear/see that you are making progress with your Jeep! Keep everyone updated with what else you find.

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

I continue my hunt for broken shit. :)

THAT shouldn't be hard!!! :eek::eek::eek::D:beer:

[korisu56]

Oh, forgot to mention, when I changed the tcase fluid, I also checked for output yoke tightness and chain tightness. It's amazing that those three u-joints made such a violent commotion throughout the drive line. Crazy....

[georgia]

Glad to hear shes comin along.

[Dragline]

You're right, I never heard of that happening then again I never had 3 bad u-joints at the same time on my previous 78 CJ5.


It's amazing that those three u-joints made such a violent commotion throughout the drive line. Crazy....

[05warrior]

The u-joints were definitely the track sound. Now that that's blown over, I heard/felt something in the steering wheel after driving 45 miles from home, and it turned out to be the front passenger axle u-joint missing two caps. Such is life. The new starter fired up the first time with zero issues, so at least she runs. She'll sit for one more week as I'll be in VA until Thursday, then to Indianapolis for the weekend, then back here. She'll get the new u-joint the same day I arrive, and I continue my hunt for broken shit. :)

It's all Broken Shit!!!!!! Ha Ha Ha :D

[94GC52]

Wait, you mean to tell me I towed that pile of TJ from DC to Delaware and all we needed to replace were some U joints!?!

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

wait, you mean to tell me i towed that pile of tj from dc to delaware and all we needed to replace were some u joints!?!

lmfao!!!!!!:d

[korisu56]

Wait, you mean to tell me I towed that pile of TJ from DC to Delaware and all we needed to replace were some U joints!?!

How the hell was I supposed to know? I thought she was fallin apart :D

[theyeti1775]

How the hell was I supposed to know? I thought she was fallin apart :D

She still is. :D

[TheRenegade]

Wait, you mean to tell me I towed that pile of TJ from DC to Delaware and all we needed to replace were some U joints!?!

ruh-roh! :eek:
Sounds like the "machete wielding woodsman" is a little upset....:beer::beer:

[korisu56]

Got the shaft u-joint replaced today. She's driving 1000% better than before. Just have a few more sounds and seals to track down...almost...there....

[Devildog]

So it wasn't your transmission but pretty much every u-joint had failed. Does thet sum it up?

[korisu56]

Yes sir. That's what it's looking like.

[Devildog]

Man that is definitely better than a new or rebuilt tranny. A lot cheaper to. Good to hear.

[korisu56]

The last bit of the ailing jeep was done today. I replace the yoke u-joint in the passenger axle shaft and replaced the bearing. When I pulled it off (I knew it was bad before this) I shook it and it sounded like a very heavy rattle. :). Now time to start saving for mods again :)