kansas_jeeping

1987 XJ, Automatic Transmission. When cruising at 55 - 60 mph (with cruise control it occurs more often) the transmission feels like it is trying to shift but it is very rough. Loud clunk sound and you feel it clunk. Doesn't seem to shift. No increase or decrease in RPMs. Not accelerating or decelerating when the clunk occurs. Tried running in 4-hi to see if it changed anything, but still go the clunk. Went back down to 2-hi about 3 miles from home and it didn't clunk the rest of the way. Seems to clunk at random times but generally once every 2-4 miles. Any ideas? Thanks for the help.

kansas_jeeping

Took it out this morning to see if the shifting into and out of 4wd had done the trick, but it did not. Seems to only occur between 55 - 60 mph when I am just cruising, not accelerating or decelerating. 1600 to 1900 rpms when it occurs, and no change up or down in rpms when it clunks. I'm noticing more and more that when I take it on a longer drive (20+ mins) and then park, it smells really bad of something burning, like a fluid. Doesn't seem to be an oil burning smell but more like a transmission fluid. Check the AT fluid and it says full. Any advice on the clunk sound or the burning smell would be appreciated.

XJ Stryker

With the Clunk I was gonna say check out your U-joints for any slop and play.

Burning smell well if you have any oil leak it is prolly droping on your exhuast seeing you have a 87 I am sure you have small leaks here and there.

You could change the tranny fluid as it is pretty easy since the pan has a drain plug.

kansas_jeeping

Thanks, I'll give those a try and post an update.

Willys55

What color was the trans fluid when you checked?
Was it brown? This 55 -60mph coast noise sounds like the overrunning clutch is slipping. Contaminated or burndt fluid would be the result. You could try changing the ATF and see if the problem persist. You said the rpm doesn't change when the noise occurs so I don't believe the torque converter to be the issue, however if the fluid is burnt its vescosity is poor and this will cause clutch packs to slip and make nosie.

kansas_jeeping

Changed the AT fluid this afternoon and put in a new filter. No change. Also checked the U joints and they are solid. Still get the "clunk". A buddy of mine said it could be the torque converter, but I am really not sure. Any advice is appreciated.

kansas_jeeping

Anybody able to lend some insight or experience on this "clunk"? Thanks! Also, found the following online, might go take a look. What do you think?

1985 Jeep Cherokee 4x4
2-Door , Auto
Runs Great