Transfer Case making noise

[DFrank]

It whines or groans with speed. Even when going slow. Gets better when warmed up. 125K miles)



This is probably just coincidence, But I first noticed it right after I changed the engine oil.



A week later I changed the over due Transfer Case oil and accidentally only put in one quart. It was then quiet. I realized I had under filled it and added a quart, after only 30 miles or so. The noise came back. I do not believe it is over full, but was considering letting just a little out to see if it helped.



Who else has lost a T-case? Is it likely to get worse slowly or more likely to leave me stranded abruptly?



Where should I look if i need a new one? How much?



Mine is an NV 271, I believe.



Thanks, dave

 

[DFrank]

Anyone? I haven't spent much time on here lately, but it appears that this section is seeing a lot less traffic than it used to.

Ryan B, I noticed a thread where you mention putting a whole extra quart of ATF in the t- case. Has that treated you well?

Can anyone steer me towards other reading on dying transfer cases?

 

[gathomas]

How do you know for certain noise is coming from Transfer case???

My 2004 2wd had a bad "Growling" noise, I thought it was planetary gears in the Auto Trans, I was fully convinced, to make a long story short, it was the front wheel bearings, which BTW are "SEALED" Units - $480 each from dealer - $1500 total repair bill for CHINESE JUNK. Want to take a guess how long these junk bearings last ???? How about 5 to 10 thousand miles, Nice huh?
Sorry for the Rant, you might want to do some investigation work - sound travels in these Trucks, its tricky!!! Good Luck - Glen

 

[DFrank]

I am assuming it is the t case, because the noise dissapeared when I drove it underfilled for 30 miles.

That is the only reason I think it is t case. How can I pinpoint the noise?

I lifted the back end up with a forklift and let it spin. There was no noise, but figured it needed load to make noise. Applying the brakes didn't do it.

I do notice some noise or vibes when accelerating from stopped, while turning left. Would a wheel bearing cause that?

 

[gathomas]

Unfortunately I don't have an easy answer for pinpointing the source of the noise. I would try this: try to find a smooth road with little traffic, at a steady speed turn the wheel slightly left then right, this will change the load on the bearings (Thrust). You will really have to tune your ear in to hear this. You might want to take someone along for the ride to help listen.

Have you shifted in & out of 4wd to listen for noise?? I'll be honest I don't know that much about 4x4, since mine is 2wd. My last 4x4 was 1979.

There are a lot more 4x4 Members on this forum than 2wd for sure.

If after trying to pinpoint source of noise & you still haven't figured it out, if it was my Truck I'd Amsoil Synthetic ATF in that Transfer case. it only takes a couple or three quarts, right ??

BTW, it seems that a number of 4x4 members are having Front Bearing problems, maybe they will respond with advice ??

 

[DFrank]

Thanks. I have been and am running fresh Amsoil in the Tcase.


I suppose I should try to run it in the air with all 4 wheels spinning.

Dave

 

[LRutigliano]

It whines or groans with speed. Even when going slow. Gets better when warmed up. 125K miles)



This is probably just coincidence, But I first noticed it right after I changed the engine oil.



A week later I changed the over due Transfer Case oil and accidentally only put in one quart. It was then quiet. I realized I had under filled it and added a quart, after only 30 miles or so. The noise came back. I do not believe it is over full, but was considering letting just a little out to see if it helped.



Who else has lost a T-case? Is it likely to get worse slowly or more likely to leave me stranded abruptly?



Where should I look if i need a new one? How much?



Mine is an NV 271, I believe.



Thanks, dave

Please double check your fluid level and type.



Use ATF+4. My X-fer case took almost 3 qts to refill when I changed it.

 

[DFrank]

I double checked. I filled it with Amsoil ATF. I put only the specified 2 quarts; I did not try to top it off. The weird thing is that it ran quietly with one fresh quart. This is actually the only reason I think the noise is TCase.

Should I park it facing down hill and try to max out the top off?

 

[rbattelle]

The transfer case has an internal oil pump. Is it possible it's on the fritz and by underfilling it you starved it of oil in some strange way that made it quiet?

Otherwise, the transfer case is a pretty dumb gearset. I mean, there's really very little to it. I second the recommendation that you try 4wd and 4wd low to see whether the noise changes at all.

I've never recommended overfilling the transfer case because, as Andres points out, it's nearly impossible. Even if it were possible, I'm not sure it's advisable.

This left-turning noise sounds absolutely like a bad front u-joint or bearing.

-Ryan