When replacing the tranny (aw-4 I believe) in a 98 cherokee sport 4x4 do i have to remove the exhaust from the flange? It looks like that may be the only way to get the housing to clear.
Anything else I need to know before i get started?

 

Anyone? Is there a write up any where here? The only tranny write i have seen is for a gmc pick-up, good write up but does not address my issue.

 

Wow, nobody has replaced their tranny? I could really use some help here.
I have dropped both drive shafts, and am now wondering if the clamps on the boot to the TC are replaceable or if i even have to remove them. Also for the linkage cable, does that pop of the rod or does it unbolt?
But wait theres more.....
theres some electronic connector on the drivers side of the tranny (mines blue) which i cant seem to get off.
I would just go buy a chiltons but i have no transportation until about 3 pm to get there to buy one, any and all help is appreciated.

 

i did my 95 a few weeks back.. i dropped everything i could. i did the exhaust from the flange, my linkage cable popped off, took starter motor out..a lot of the wiring unplugs....theres alot of hard to get bolts ,but patience is your friend, i took my transfer case off as well, some parts are a two man job....hope this helps.......

 

one of these really helps, the higher you can get it , the easier it is to work on ..that's what i found.....good luck mate , keep us posted....

 

unfortunately I have no lift.
do you HAVE to take the exhaust flange loose cuz those bolts are quite rusted and i am thinking they will break.
I cant the damn dipstick out!! I see its like a two piece thing and seems to be spot welded to the pan but no matter what i do i cant get it to separate.
Thanks for your help!!

 

spray the bolts with crc , i tied my exhaust up and out of the way...left the dip stick sleeve on, just took stick out..that's how my second hand one came, takes a bit to wiggle around but drops out with the trans...

 

there is alot to do.. i have now done it four times on my cherokee. yes i know your thinking four times and im only 18 but there are stories behind every blown transmission. when i do it i first start withthe exhaust. thats number one then the driveshafts. then the starter, get some jacks, crossmember, unbolt linkage, undo tc plugs, drop the transfercase, take the torque converter bolts off, unplug all of the hoses and electrics to the tranny, and then drop it. just make sure that you have keep every bolt. because if you have every bolt you take off then you know how many you need to put back in and your not loosin them and searchin for bolts

 

X2

i just changed mine too but its a five speed so....

but what was helpfull is to put it on jack-stands as far as they will go
up, and you will need a tranny jack.

 

Done!! I never realized these jeeps had the power they do. Since i bought it the transmission has been messed up and i didnt realized it, just thought the slip that the tranny had was typical. As soon as I removed the pan I new for sure that there was a serious problem, there were chunks of shredded gears and bearings all nicely collected by the magnets in the pan.

On a positive note, I think that was the easiest tranny i have ever replaced. I am going to give a bit of advice to those that are looking at doing this themselves.

First, you do not have to remove the rear drive shaft from the transfer case, just cover the u-joints with a plastic bag and a rubber band or zip-tie once you remove it from the rear dif.

PB Blaster is your best friend!!! Anything that has been exposed to the elements should be sprayed generously with it.

Get a friend or relative to help you, not only is the company good, it can be a real pain to have to slide in and out from under the vehicle if you do not have the luxury of a lift. There are many other benefits of having help which you will realize especially if you do not have a tranny jack.

On mine, the top two bell housing bolts are E-14. These bolts look like torque bits for those who have not seen them. Dont try using a regular socket on them because it will just spin around them.

I used ramps under the front tires when loosening the u-bolts for the front drive shaft to keep them from spinning, also used the same method when tightening them.

Leave most of the wiring intact as alot of it will come on the JY tranny, if you are replacing with new then I dont know.

Drop the pan and lower the dip stick down with it. Mine is a two piece unit but the O-ring in side fits very tight. On the replacement tranny use dish soap around the split in the dipstick well and let it soak while you and your friend have a beer. Then use a pair of channel locks to spin the top part of the well...this isnt easy to remove but i am sure it is easier than trying to feed it back up along with the tranny.

Leave the transfer case attached to the transmission until you get the tranny down at an angle (before you take out the bell housing bolts) the lower it is to the floor the easier it is to remove.

The kick-down cable stays with the tranny, as does most of the wiring.

Remove the Exhaust flange bolts at the manifold, it really isnt that hard if you spray them down repeatedly while doing other things and the night before if possible. The bolts in the flange themselves are replaceable i believe (correct me if i am wrong please). Miine i didnt have to replace although one did strip when i went to put it back on, i think a pair of vice grips to squeeze the flange closed some will allow it to thread on if i cannot replace the stud/bolt its self.

If i think of anything else I will add to this post. I hope this will help any do-it-yourselfers out there.

 

I can see this being very helpful for folks. I hope to pick up an AW4 and NP242 from the JY when I get a chance and money and have a spare. At $70 for the trans and not sure about the TC at the pull-a-part....can't go wrong!

 

I thought about doing a write up with pics but since it was my first time I new alot would be trial and error. I may do a write up anyway and just take pics of the parts.
I had some trouble figuring out where to take the transfer case off but just did a google image search and figured it out from there.

 

That would be great!