AX15 Master Rebuild Kits? Anyone know a good source?

[s14unimog]

I've got a damaged 3rd gear syncro I've been skipping so a rebuild is in my future. I figure since I'm in there I might as well do a full rebuild and hope the hard components are in good shape. I was doing a little search, and have found a few options, but figured I would "poll the audience" before I commit to buy one. Here is what I've found so far. Please add if you know another source; I'm trying to ignore Ebay's common list kits.

Also what's the difference in the pre/post-1990 AX15? I've got a '97

I did a quick search on here and it seems this subject has come up but with little incite from the community.

http://www.acmejeepparts.com/produc...utm_medium=compshop&utm_source=googlemerchant

http://www.quadratec.com/products/5...utm_medium=compshop&utm_source=googlemerchant

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product-information.asp?number=AX15-MASKIT

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-132519-ax15-rebuild-kit.html

 

[clean96XJ]

funny

I skip second gear

also interested in this thanks!

 

[tanmanb]

get it rebuilt asap. My 3rd gear syncros started grinding, then a few months later i lost 3rd gear completely. I cant shift into it now without it popping right out, and when i try holding the shifter forward so its "in gear", it grinds like CRAZY! now 4th gear syncros are going, along with 2nd... I should have got it rebuild as soon as i bought the damn thing.

But i have 3 aw4 xjs sitting around, so i'm just going to stick an auto in it. I know, i know...

 

[s14unimog]

funny, I skip second gear. Also interested in this thanks!

It's looking like I'm going with East Coast Gear Supply. I spoke with a guy there yesterday and he said its rare to need the needle bearings replaced since they carry the individual gears on the main shafts and their kit without them is around $250; not to mention he quoted me $15 shipping as apposed to everyone else being around $45...

get it rebuilt asap. My 3rd gear syncros started grinding, then a few months later i lost 3rd gear completely. I cant shift into it now without it popping right out, and when i try holding the shifter forward so its "in gear", it grinds like CRAZY! now 4th gear syncros are going, along with 2nd... I should have got it rebuild as soon as i bought the damn thing. But i have 3 aw4 xjs sitting around, so i'm just going to stick an auto in it. I know, i know...

Yeah mine got progressively worse and so I've elected to just skip it in hopes of preserving the 3rd gear. Don't do it man, rip that AX apart and follow the FSM. I'm doing my rebuild soon and plan to take lots of pictures. I'll do a thread about it and maybe it'll help you out later. Auto's are sole-less and a dime a dozen. I would never give up my low range down hill decel...

 

[ballgame]

Acme Jeep parts and Quadratec are the same company.

I've had good luck with Rompalicious and I've seen other guys on here recemmend the Crown HD kit from them.

They have the whole AX15 parts list/diagram here (if you click on the parts numbers you can check stock on the items too - there's a bearing/seal kit at the bottom):

Jeep AX15 parts and diagram

 

[s14unimog]

yeah but their bearing and seal kit alone is over $200 bucks. It is a helpful break down if you need individual parts. Good source addition to the thread. :cheers:

 

[87manche]

It's looking like I'm going with East Coast Gear Supply. I spoke with a guy there yesterday and he said its rare to need the needle bearings replaced since they carry the individual gears on the main shafts and their kit without them is around $250; not to mention he quoted me $15 shipping as apposed to everyone else being around $45...



Yeah mine got progressively worse and so I've elected to just skip it in hopes of preserving the 3rd gear. Don't do it man, rip that AX apart and follow the FSM. I'm doing my rebuild soon and plan to take lots of pictures. I'll do a thread about it and maybe it'll help you out later. Auto's are sole-less and a dime a dozen. I would never give up my low range down hill decel...

I will await that thread. My ax-15 needs some love, and I've got another AX-15 that's missing it's tailshaft for hard parts. Mine has always sounded horrible, especially in 3rd gear under a load. At first I thought it was going to explode the day I bought it, then it drove for another 2 years as a DD, and now it just get's beaten on. It's only a matter of time before I have to take it apart and fix it.

 

[s14unimog]

Well as soon as this weather clears up I'm going to get into it. I've got to make sure the bike can move to daily status before I starting tearing it down, but I did get the kit ordered today $276 shipped from East Coast Gear Supply, so I'll take a bunch of pictures and lend my experience once I get it all back together. Wish me luck!

 

[s14unimog]

Right on East Coast Gear's. One day turn around! I'm sure it helps they drop ship from an Atlanta based supplier but either the case, I got my rebuild kit in!

Turns out they use "Transtar"... Looks like solid stuff. Should get into the rebuild this weekend.

 

[s14unimog]

SWEET GEZUS, that was difficult. I'll get my pictures and thoughts together once I get it back in the Jeep and know its right. If anyone stumbles across this thread in the future, realize what you are bitting off. This project is NOT for the faint of heart. It has got to be the most difficult thing I've ever done to a vehicle, and I'm a bit more than your average backyard mechanic. Just had to vent that real quick.

 

[gradon]

Rebuilding a tranny is the only thing I haven't done on a Jeep. I have a spare 2wd ax15 that needs a new input shaft bearing--not near as involved as a rebuild, but you still have to crack it open.

 

[87manche]

SWEET GEZUS, that was difficult. I'll get my pictures and thoughts together once I get it back in the Jeep and know its right. If anyone stumbles across this thread in the future, realize what you are bitting off. This project is NOT for the faint of heart. It has got to be the most difficult thing I've ever done to a vehicle, and I'm a bit more than your average backyard mechanic. Just had to vent that real quick.

After a ford focus tranny I'm good to go, at lest I'll have a spare to swap in, so it can take me weeks to rebuild it.

 

[s14unimog]

Rebuilding a tranny is the only thing I haven't done on a Jeep. I have a spare 2wd ax15 that needs a new input shaft bearing--not near as involved as a rebuild, but you still have to crack it open.

^That and you'll need a special bearing removal tool. The main bearings on the input shaft cannot be removed with a standard puller. Found that out.

After a ford focus tranny I'm good to go, at lest I'll have a spare to swap in, so it can take me weeks to rebuild it.

^ yeah, if you've been inside one before then you know what sort of shenanigans to prepare yourself for. The fact that most everything you do requires extreme force to either install or remove, can just be so time consuming and frustrating.

 

[s14unimog]

This is that tool I was speaking of. Do not attempt it without. (the silver piece with the two threaded rods in the left picture)