[Amc-list] 1994 Jeep Cherokee transaxle noise - chain slack? knocking, jerking above 55 mph

[Jerry Casper <gremlingts@xxxxxxxxx>]

  Well, with 179,000 plus miles on it, I'm sure it's
no surprise that maintenance is needed occasionally.
I've noticed a slight mechanical rattle or knocking
the last few weeks, and it finally got loud enough
tonight doing 65 mph, that I could feel the Jeep start
to jerk some when the noise changed pitch, I thought
maybe universal joints, but it changes pitch as well
when I move the 2H / 4H gear selector lever slightly
at high speed, so I think it's actually in the
transaxle/transmission area. I need some advice on
what to check for, I'd heard that there is a chain
drive inside? Could the tensioner be shot? The noise
"seems" to be like a timing chain hitting the cover
kind of knock, hard to describe. It goes away when
braking around 10 mph, and you don't hear it until
accelerating past 35 mph, and it is really noticeable
around 55-65 mph. It was getting rather loud at 65,
plus I could feel something happening, so I slowed
down, and got off the Interstate about 10 miles from
home, and drove up the secondary route at slower
speeds. Didn't want something coming apart at high
speed! 
  Anyway, got it home safely, but I need to start
looking at it tomorrow and/or Sunday, and see what it
is, and can I fix it over the weekend. Any help
GREATLY appreciated in diagnosing this. 

Jerry Casper
8 Gremlins


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