Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) telltale signs of 5th gear nut getting loose?

[JDKammin]

My neighbor pulled into the shop today with a noise he wanted me to listen to. Going down the road you can hear a rattling noise, but is not the transfer case lever. I can put my ear on the shift stick and get quite a noise. 5th gear seems to make the most noise. Can the side covers be pulled off the sides of the transmission and see anything?

 

[Bob V]

Cant see 5th gear from the PTO covers. Generaly, 5th doesn't make any noise before it goes. I had a simular noise, it turned out to be the clutch.

 

[JDKammin]

He had a new Southbend clutch put in about a year ago. Not saying something could not have gone bad.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

When mine let go there was no warning of any kind - and I'm very sensitive to strange noises/feelings in my vehicles being an ex road racer. One second I was driving down the road and the next second I was coasting and the engine was revving up. 5th gear is outside the main case in that cover on the back of the transmission. Only way to see it is to pull that back cover off.