Ok, so I replace the Tailshaft bushing, Center Support Bearing, speedometer O-ring and shifter linkage bushings in my AW70 equipped '86 245. Oh and I also disconnected the bracket holding the cooler lines to the tranny (to see if they were a source of a leak around there)

I haven't yet topped off the tranny fluid but I ran the engine (with rear wheels off, rear jacked up) to check for leaks and see if there was still driveline vibration.

Good news - seemingly no leaks or vibration, drive shaft is purring like a mute kitten!

Bad news - when I shift into park I get a nasty grinding noise.

I checked the shifter linkage to see if it was somehow getting caught in the tailshaft flange before the drive shaft and it clears everything easily. The sound seems to be coming from the front of the tranny rather than by all the work I was doing.

Please tell me I just need to top off the fluid!!!

Please don't tell me that when I jacked up (and down) the transmission to access the tailshaft gasket that I screwed up my tranny!!!

Going to dream about flying drive shafts now, check back in tomorrow to hear what any kind soul has to say good OR bad!

thanks,

jack
--
Bad Blue, '86 245, 260,000 mi., Columbus, Ohio