- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
AX15 in my MJ is ok until I put it in 5th.... I assume there’s some worn synchro or bearing or something? Any common fixes? Anyone rebuilt theirs?
Rebuild an AX15???
- Thread starter mbryson
- Start date
gatchmo5710
Active Member
built one a few months back. Pretty simple if your mechanically inclined. Must have good set of snap ring pliers and some healthy 2-3 jaw pullers.
There are lots of writes up online but I found the illustrated parts catalog and paying attention did more for me. Id do a full rebuild not including gears unless theirs a problem. Hardest part is the shift detent balls and springs falling out if you not carefull. A good table mounted vise and washer to hold the main plate while working is a must too. Good luck finding the right fluid to run as everyone contradicts the other. GL3 is obsolete it seems and most gl4-5 will eventually eat the brass. Im running penziol syncromesh and it shifts great, but time will tell.
There are lots of writes up online but I found the illustrated parts catalog and paying attention did more for me. Id do a full rebuild not including gears unless theirs a problem. Hardest part is the shift detent balls and springs falling out if you not carefull. A good table mounted vise and washer to hold the main plate while working is a must too. Good luck finding the right fluid to run as everyone contradicts the other. GL3 is obsolete it seems and most gl4-5 will eventually eat the brass. Im running penziol syncromesh and it shifts great, but time will tell.
- Location
- Stinkwater
AX15 is pretty much a W56, right? Yeah, the backwards-compatible GL5 stuff isn't, it'll monch the synchros. I ran Redline MT90, which is a true GL4.
I did mine last year. I have a set of Factory Service Manuals. I did find a TJ FSM for the AX-15 online somewhere. Some googleing should get it for you, that will take you through it step by step.
*edit* try this
http://oljeep.com/tcase/jeeptransmission_AX15.pdf
There is a "5th gear upgrade" which I could not find any reason to buy and install, so I bought and installed it anyway...
Caution when you remove the shift rails be super careful about the little shift rollers. I lost one and could not find it from any one. I ended up making one from a bigger one by putting it in my drill and using my grinder to grind it to the exact right size. I keep expeting that little bugger to turn up on my shop floor but I still haven't come across it.
As for fluid it seems like nobody can agree on what is best, I am running the Redline MT90 which seems to be the least controversial choice. Although there are strong arguments for running motor oil. After being rebuilt mine still "clunks" into 2nd gear when cold. Before rebuild it "clunked" into just about ever gear.
If you actually need gears you can track down some toyota parts and get a lower 1st gear. It probably isn't worth the expense unless you need gears or can find the right junk yard toyota box.
Nathan
*edit* try this
http://oljeep.com/tcase/jeeptransmission_AX15.pdf
There is a "5th gear upgrade" which I could not find any reason to buy and install, so I bought and installed it anyway...
Caution when you remove the shift rails be super careful about the little shift rollers. I lost one and could not find it from any one. I ended up making one from a bigger one by putting it in my drill and using my grinder to grind it to the exact right size. I keep expeting that little bugger to turn up on my shop floor but I still haven't come across it.
As for fluid it seems like nobody can agree on what is best, I am running the Redline MT90 which seems to be the least controversial choice. Although there are strong arguments for running motor oil. After being rebuilt mine still "clunks" into 2nd gear when cold. Before rebuild it "clunked" into just about ever gear.
If you actually need gears you can track down some toyota parts and get a lower 1st gear. It probably isn't worth the expense unless you need gears or can find the right junk yard toyota box.
Nathan