Normal t-case play?

[Lloyd from TX]

Hey everyone!
Check out this video – does this amount of driveline slop look normal for the transfer case? This is me spinning the rear wheels while the tranny is in Park. I can sometimes feel this clunk at low speeds, like creeping through a parking lot. Jeep only has 4k miles on it.
Appreciate any input – thanks!

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[nU7OuxIx]

I'll have to check mine later but it looks similar. Mine also sounds similar too. I've been meaning to ask here about the clunking.

It seems like mostly going from gears 2 to 3 there's a bit of a clunk more often than other gears, but usually I'm going uphill too. I figured with as many sensors and connections there are, if it was a real issue, it would pop up with an error.

 

[Lloyd from TX]

Thanks man! Mine does it even without shifting – just a random bump or lurch at low speeds. You get that too?

Also, this is new – it wasn't doing it before. I did take it on some light off-road trails and now I'm overthinking every noise. Could anything actually wear out that fast, or is it just in my head?

 

[Reflektr]

I also noticed this on my ‘25 Willys 6-speed manual. I heard a sporadic clunking while shifting and it would’ve liked to have sent me howling straight for the nuthouse. I crawled under it one day and rocked the output on the t-case and it made the same exact noise I was hearing.

I guess drivetrain slop is pretty common but more noticeable in my case because it was a manual. It never really put my mind at ease, but at least I knew what it was lol.

 

[Lloyd from TX]

I also noticed this on my ‘25 Willys 6-speed manual. I heard a sporadic clunking while shifting and it would’ve liked to have sent me howling straight for the nuthouse. I crawled under it one day and rocked the output on the t-case and it made the same exact noise I was hearing.

I guess drivetrain slop is pretty common but more noticeable in my case because it was a manual. It never really put my mind at ease, but at least I knew what it was lol.

I don't hear it - I feel it. Jeep lurches at low speeds, and honestly it feels like play in the transfer case gears. That's my gut feeling anyway.

And based on the video - is that amount of play in the transfer case normal or too much?
If anyone knows, let me know. Thanks!

 

[cj7ox]

A certain amount of play is normal. I can't really tell if what you have is within spec. Even the amount your video shows wouldn't create a lurching affect. Does the "clunk" occur just when you start moving? Or does it occur and continue after the vehicle is in motion?

 

[Lloyd from TX]

Thanks for the reply! It doesn't do it when I start moving- it happens while I'm already rolling, but only at crawling speeds. It's not constant - just a random bump here and there. I notice it most either during the 1-2 upshift on the auto trans, or sometimes in 1st gear when I lift off the gas.
What else could it be besides play in the transfer case? Any ideas what else I should be looking at?

 

[cj7ox]

Does the thunk occur more often when turning, or going straight? You may have a bad front axle u-joint. I lost a u-joint cap on the drivers side a while back (no idea how), and I would hear a thunk every so often at slow speeds, especially when turning left. Jack up your front end and slowly rotate the wheel to inspect the u-joint on each side. That could be your issue.

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