1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

88 Cherokee Piston Slap? Nope, Cracked Flexplate

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by Focker, May 30, 2017.

  1. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    Great feedback guys, but it's not as simple as the AC bearing. :(

    I removed the pan and found this. Some type of gear pieces? The seller put a new distributor in...Maybe the old one broke off?
    [​IMG]

    I pulled off the belt, spun everything and it all sounded good. I put a wrench to the crank pulley, turned a few times and felt up in every cavity...Nothing obvious. I started the engine for about 3 seconds and the knock/clank/slap is still there.

    There's this...
     
  2. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Was the AC on when you took the video?

    Ignore this question.
     
  3. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Id still pull the serpt belt and see if its still there if you havent allready
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  4. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    From that 2nd video, does it click when you are moving the journal front to back (sideways) or up and down?
     
  5. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    I took the belt off immediately after 47v6 posted about the AC.
    Just front to back (sideways).
     
  6. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    The amount of fore-aft thrust slop is pretty high? Are there thrust control main bearings on that crank? Is this an automatic?
     
  7. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    I don't know?
    Yes.
     
  8. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Damn, thought this would be simple. Drive it till it explodes. put a new junk engine in, repeat.
     
    Focker likes this.
  9. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    There are thrust bearings if i remember right, but dont think the side to side play would cause that much noise
     
    73 cj5 likes this.
  10. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Cracked flexplate will make that kind of rattle too. Can you tell if its comimg from top/bottom, front/back?
     
    Focker and ITLKSEZ like this.
  11. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    I've seen a torque converter break loose internally and make an intermittent racket. Still worked, but was noisy.

    Loose flex plate bolts will do it too.

    I'm really curious which direction it's coming from.
     
    Focker likes this.
  12. tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Belt..........try spraying some non-slip on it.............or smog pump if it has one.......
     
  13. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Can you see the drive gear for the distributor? I would think with that much noise if that was it you would be having problems skipping teeth, jumping timing, not running...
    But worth a look i guess
     
  14. 73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Wrist pin?
     
  15. montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Wow psyched for your purchase of the Fock Crawler, interested to see where this goes.
     
  16. tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Have you tried holding your hand on any part of that motor , valve cover , Ac , smog pump or block while running , when it makes that clicking sound.........just to see if you can feel it at the same time you hear it?
    A mechanics stethoscope or even a long handled screw driver with your ear planted at the handle end may help detect a metallic hitting issue.............

    From the looks of that broken distributor gear it begs the question what caused that failure? and what other collateral damage ensued .........not sure how or where that gear engages on the motor........but if it's on the camshaft you may be missing a tooth or portion or if that survived then perhaps the timing gears or if it's belt driven up front that may also have some skipping issues.........although at Idle it seems to run OK.
     
  17. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Click.
    Save.
    :D
     
  18. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    I agree...It's too inconsistent.
    I can't tell.
    Yes...It looks good.
    Maybe?
    I was under it and the oil pan resonated so much that I was unable to locate.
     
  19. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    Just noticed this. o_O

    Timing chain.
     
  20. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    thats your timing chain? Well, fix it!