2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Transfer Case Vibration

[Mactruck]

While I was down in Florida my Truck developed a vibration at around 60-68 MPH. Knowing I was 1500 miles from home told me to rule out the obvious. I rotated the tires and to see what if it helped. Nope.

Well Drove it home and it's still there. Actually getting a little worse. I put it up on the lift and ran it at 60-65 MPH and felt and listened for the vibration.



Differentials had none, Driveshaft was fine. The Transfer case was vibrating like a washing machine out of balance!

I have consistently had a problem keeping rear seals in this T-case. I'm wondering if it's related. I keep a good eye on the level but when I got home I found the t-case to be about a quart low.



I've done a search for vibration problems involving the Transfer case but came up with many problems but no real solutions. Could it be this C-clip thing?

Is the T-case Junk?

Should I pull it apart to check it?



Help! (not a 911 but need to find the problem) I am ordering new stuff from Quad 4x4 as well as EGR brakes. So I have a little time to solve it. Looks like I may need to wait and order something from Transfer case express.



What do you all think?

 

[rkressg]

Check your bell housing on the transmission. I have seen cracked bell housings cause a vibration similar to what you are describing.



With hard vibrations, it could be what is destroying the rear seals on the transfer case.

-Rich

 

[Mactruck]

Wouldn't that result in transmission fluid leakage?

Where abouts have you seen this type of crack?



Also. @ 60k (Last week) this is the first time I've ever had this vibration.

I've been eating seals for years.

 

[BNeathery]

I recently noticed an unususal vibration coming from under my truck, thought it was tires so had them balanced and rotated. Noticed a puddle of transmission fluid under the truck on Saturday coming out of the rear of the transmission where the drive shaft comes out. 3 weeks back I had a leak at the transfer case and the dealer replaced the seal, no leak there any more. What does an out of balance drive shaft feel like. I notice the vibration at around 47 to 52 mph under easy acceleration or no throttle. Any ideas? Sorry for jumping onto this tread... : Bill

 

[Mactruck]

I notice the vibration at around 47 to 52 mph under easy acceleration or no throttle. Any ideas? Sorry for jumping onto this tread... : Bill

No problem jumpin in. You and I may have the same problem too different degrees. Mine is constant starting at 55 up to 70 mph. Changes in acceleration may reduce it but eventually comes it comes back.



I too debated a misbalanced tire but I utilize Counteract balancing beads in my tires. I felt it must have been something else. I figured it was ball joints.



With the truck running at 60 mph ON THE LIFT it was evident the vibration came from the transfer case. So I'm thinking it may be a C-clip that has let go on the shaft. This may have happened a while ago which is why I am eating seals. This could have eventually led to a bearing failure.

I'm not sure if their was a bearing worn on the rearend it would be smooth running at 60mph and transfer all the vibration to the transfer case.



What do you guys think?

 

[rkressg]

Wouldn't that result in transmission fluid leakage?

Where abouts have you seen this type of crack?



Also. @ 60k (Last week) this is the first time I've ever had this vibration.

I've been eating seals for years.

It was on a Chevy Motor Home with a 427 and a 4L80. The truck vibrated like heck while at driving speed. It turned out to be a crack in the bell housing was allowing the transmission to vibrate.

 

[BNeathery]

At 97K I took my truck into the dealer for a front main seal which they fixed under warranty, they told me I had a leak in the rear t-case seal, that I had not noticed. I authorized them to fix, $245. 00. 470 miles later and a new vibration it was leaking again, this time I did notice. Dealer replaced seal yesterday at no charge. I went to get in my truck at the dealer and seal was still leaking, this time the seal lasted 150 yards. Truck is back into dealer this morning for a 4th seal. Wish me Luck. by the way dealer could not detect vibration... Bill

 

[RPosey]

Are you sure it is not the U- Joint/joints?

 

[Mactruck]

Checked them - They are tight

 

[msperos]

I've been chasing the same type of vibration, replaced: all u-joints including front axle, Ball joints uppers and lowers, new tires with balancing beads, had the drive shaft balanced they said it was perfect. I've worn out the rear transfer case seal twice, the pinon seal twice. I still have the vibration at about 65-70 mph. lets see if we can figure this out Oo.

 

[Bseg]

taking a shot at it?

Is it possible that the bearing coming out of the transfer case is bad allowing the shaft to wobble?



I'm not an expert with trannies but I saw something similar to this on a standard transmission that I took apart years ago.



Just a thought, hope you figure it out.

 

[Kirwin]

Transfer case rear seals

One more thought. The transfer case rear seal uses a spring to help keep the sealing surface in contact with the shaft on one of my trucks. I had small leak and when I went in to change the seal the spring had gotten wound up in the bearing and thus destroyed the bearing. It was hard to see it and I didn't find in on the first seal change. I'm not sure that you can tell what driveline vibrations will be if the truck is in the air with the suspension unloaded. This changes all the driveline angels so I would be careful about diagnosing drive line problems from that vantage point. Does your truck feel as if its trying to engage 4WD? This is a classic sign of the C-clip failure. Good luck. Ken Irwin

 

[Mactruck]

The transfer case never felt like it was trying to engage 4wd.

I'm leaning towards what Bseg believes. I feel that a bearing (possibly in the tailshaft or right before it is worn causing the T-case seal to leak prematurely then vibrate then lead to a bearing failure. I've been driving the truck a little bit (around town) under 45 mph and decided the rig needs to be pulled off the road before I experience a possible bearing failure. In the last few days I've lost more fluid out of the tailshaft than I ever seen. Basically I need to drop the T-case and find out whats what.



Hopefully I can get away with replacing the bearing (and any other subsequent parts) rather than getting a full blown rebuild or purchasing a new case (from Transfer case express)

 

[CyberRanger]

Checked them - They are tight

The joints can be not loose, but on their way out. They will lose their lubricant & dry out & begin to vibrate (particularly the middle joint). At first they produce a mild, almost non-detectible vibration that gets nastier & as they get worse the particular speed range will change. Eventually they'll get loose & fail, but I've had one remain tight for 1500-2k miles or more before getting loose.



I just replaced the middle joint for the 4th time in 75K miles. Dodge did the first 3 & I did the last one yesterday. Discovered the slip-yoke is slightly sprung causing the caps to always be tight, creating excessive heat. I'm after Dodge to warranty it. Developing...

 

[BNeathery]

Dealer finally gave up after the 3rd failure using an OEM seal , they used an aftermarket seal and all seems to fine, at least for now... . Bill

 

[muchsnow]

Vibration??

I've been chasing the same type of vibration, replaced: all u-joints including front axle, Ball joints uppers and lowers, new tires with balancing beads, had the drive shaft balanced they said it was perfect. I've worn out the rear transfer case seal twice, the pinon seal twice. I still have the vibration at about 65-70 mph. lets see if we can figure this out #ad

These trucks can really have some vibe problems, I think the engine vibes can kind of set them off to a degree sometimes.

I chased vibes for awhile after installing a gear vendors unit, pretty much got it worked out.

Check rear leaf spring bolts, see if they're tight, perches in good shape, etc. mine were loose once (why?) and even half a degree of axle wrap on load can mess with drive line angles.

Check if there's any weights missing from the welded spots on the drive shafts.

You can check for trueness of the driveshafts with a piece of chalk on a stick while the shafts are turning (check for bent shaft(s)) can you visualize this?

If the U-joints are good, are they in proper phase? This can be messed up if the yokes aren't keyed to make them idiot proof. Be sure to check, easy fix... .

Spent yokes sometimes can't be seen unless you take them off, clean them, and inspect the splines under good light.

Trashed tailshaft bushings are really difficult to see until you've knocked them out.
frequent seal replacement could mean it's bad. They can also be destroyed by bad driveshaft balance (pinion bearings and seals also).

Transmission mounts, engine mounts, carrier bearings (failed/failing) can also cause driveline alignment problems.

I, at one time, also chased a speed specific driveshaft vibration once and finally resolved it with blocks (custom) made with an additional degree added to account for the pinion angle wrap when the vehicle was loaded and driving forward under load. Sounds odd but made alot of difference. Suspension guy thought I was nuts.
He just couldn't visualize it... ... ... ... . If they'd used a full arch spring instead of an oem railroad tie of a lift block there'd be less problems in my book.

Auto trans torque converters going south can also create some serious vibes, but those are usually apparent at slower speeds.

Somethings either loose, worn, outta balance, outta angle, or bent.

Have you tried checking it with the tires off? (on stands w/lugnuts securing everything).
Another thing I did was reverse the yoke on installation of a one piece driveshaft. This also made things smoother and seemed to cut noise also... . the shaft... .

#ad



other end,
#ad




Another good link... ... ... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114584&page=13&pp=10

Just a passing commentary, I hope you figure it out, because as long as it's there, something's getting beat on.

Have a good one.