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The Body Bracket bolts are located under the carpeting on the driverside transmission hump.


If you have any questions, please contact me at: eddie@4x4xplor.com
Transfer Case Shifter Linkage
Knocking TSB


About half a year after I bought my TJ, I started to notice a funny knocking under the driver side floor when accelerating or when going over a bump. It was a kind of a low "thump, thump, thump" in rappid succession and then it'd go away. Well, since I was still under warranty, I decided to take my Jeep in to have it looked at. Well, six visits later, at two different dealerships (once to see a DC specialist) and a lot of anguish, I was told that nothing was wrong and that the noise I was hearing was completely normal... "all Jeeps are noisy." Pissed off, I started to do some research on-line and on the bulletin boards and found out that a lot of people had this exact same problem. Enough so that the NTHSA issued a TSB to have it fixed. So, with a TSB number in hand, I went back to my dealer and what did they say? "Oh yes, there is in fact a TSB for this, what do you know?" An hour later my Jeep was fixed and the knocking was gone.

WHAT I FOUND OUT

I don't know who or why anyone would design a T-case shifter linkage as complicated as this or why it is mounted to the tub but this is where the knocking is coming from. What happens is that the bronze bushing/retainer holding the torque shaft wears out and/or the rubber gasket tears on the end. This allows the torque shaft to travel back and forth too much causing one of the links to tap on the bracket on the tub. This problem can also occur if you install a 1" body lift without installing the T-case shifter drop brackt supplied with many kits.

HOW TO FIX IT
If you are still under warranty, take the TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) number below to your dealer and have them deal with it. If you are over warranty, you can by the TSB kit from your dealer for about $19.

TSB 21-09-98 JUL 98
Transfer Case Shifter - Creaking/Thumping Noise

Part Numbers
05014148-AA Torque SH 21-105-001


Although the kit comes with new bushing for every link end, the only ones I needed was the bronze bushing/retainer and gasket. To install it, you will need to remove the body bracket from the tub. In order to do this, you will find the 4-bolts holding it in place underneath your driverside carpeting. The rest can be accessed from under your Jeep and you do not need to jack anything up or remove your T-case skid.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

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