A metal 'tube' that broke off under the jimny

I was crawling at about 5km/h and put the gear into 1st when a relatively loud clicking noise appeared. I'm thinking it's this bit that has given in at the other end, and is now laying kind of on top of the shaft that connects the gearbox and transfer case.

i.imgur.com/KepYhem.jpg
i.imgur.com/5EpNOrc.jpg

In the middle is the shaft, and next to it on the right side is the 'tube' that has broken off. It seems to me that it has been welded to where it was, and the material around the weld has just cracked. At the other end it is connected with something that looks like a hinge to me.

Any idea what this part is and what does it do? I'm pretty sure that's making the clicking noise. I didn't dare to tie it up so that it wouldn't hit the shaft and go for a test drive yet.. Going to have to get it welded back on.

Any picture of where it came off?

It's part of the gear change mechanism. The steady rod. Either weld it back on or replace. I have a used one if you decide to go that route.

What do you mean by 'weeks it back on'? How should I replace the part if the part itself is not damaged, or that's how it seems to me. The sheet of metal that it was welded on to, has given in. It's like 2mm thick or so. The weld is intact I think!

mickt wrote: Any picture of where it came off?

I've uploaded the pictures with some mods. The red line shows where in the bottom of the car the end of that metal tube (outlines in green) was at, I think. The other end is a hinge, which allows the rod to move around a bit until it hits the shaft.
i.imgur.com/J7bKKhe.jpg
i.imgur.com/pAckPhg.jpg

He meant "either way its refit or replace" if it has worn too much. It should just slip back together, no welding involved. His first sentence was "gear change mechanism" by the way.

Sorry it was my spelling, trying to multi task. Yes the sheet metal has failed but can be welded back on. Or replace the gear linkage

Ok so I'm going to need to have some welding done in any case. Though at this point I still don't understand how this rod is a part of the gear changing..

By the way, I was able to drive it normally, only did less than a kilometer, but still. 4H and 4L working just fine, didn't change up to 3rd gear though, 1st and 2nd worked as usually. If i recall correctly.. Jimny has been sitting for over a month at this point.

The gear linkage has 2 rods. One that moves and one that is solid, the steady rod. This is what has snapped on yours. When it did on mine the gear change was just a bit sloppy and that rod was rubbing on the transfer box propshaft.

Thanks for your quick responses. This seems clear to me now. I'll try to get it welded somewhere, as I don't happen to have the equipment of my own..

What kind of a sound would your rod make when it rubbed the shaft? Like some grinding or? This one does a really loud, sharp clicking noise which got us worried and we didn't want to drive it anymore.

Cheers, appreciate your help.

Had one go on a Jimny yesterday clean it up burn it back on with a mig seems to be common done 3 now

Right, thanks. I guess someone should do some engineering and figure out a better way to attach it. A stronger mount. Wonder if it had any influence on the operating of the gearbox if this end of the rod was attached a bit closer to the ground than it originally is..

Ah, Dave, what parts did you take off the jimny to make room for the welding, perhaps the gearbox-transfer case shaft?

Doing mine this weekend, I'm planning on taking mine off to weld.....
This is mine 2001 model