99 Tahoe Bad T-Case Bearing?

[Richcz28]

My buddies 1999 Tahoe with push button auto 4x4 and a 4l60e with a 350 was brought to the shop today for what he thought was a bad t-case bearing. The shop told him that he was on borrowed time in 2wd and that 4x4 wasn't engaging properly. He thinks his 4x4 actually does engage, but I'm not sitting in the truck so I can't verify that.

The shop recommended finding a reman t-case or finding a good used t-case.

Unfortunately I'm out of school for the summer and won't be around to tear into it and really find out whats wrong. I know there is a lot of audible noise from the truck, but not much more.

He has very limited mechanical skills. I'd love to see him try to tackle the job, but I don't think that is in the cards, so...

1) Should he find a used t-case or reman? And, what should he pay?

2) What model years of trucks and what specific t-case does he need to look for to find a used t-case?

3) Why isn't the shop changing out the bearing? (A question he should have asked)

4) What else do we need to know?

 

[jekquistk5]

Good question for @Greg Ducato

 

[miniwally]

My buddies 1999 Tahoe with push button auto 4x4 and a 4l60e with a 350 was brought to the shop today for what he thought was a bad t-case bearing. The shop told him that he was on borrowed time in 2wd and that 4x4 wasn't engaging properly. He thinks his 4x4 actually does engage, but I'm not sitting in the truck so I can't verify that.

The shop recommended finding a reman t-case or finding a good used t-case.

Unfortunately I'm out of school for the summer and won't be around to tear into it and really find out whats wrong. I know there is a lot of audible noise from the truck, but not much more.

He has very limited mechanical skills. I'd love to see him try to tackle the job, but I don't think that is in the cards, so...

1) Should he find a used t-case or reman? And, what should he pay?

2) What model years of trucks and what specific t-case does he need to look for to find a used t-case?

3) Why isn't the shop changing out the bearing? (A question he should have asked)

4) What else do we need to know?

Is it the transfer case that has the automatic setting, as well as 4wd and 4low? If so these actually use a clutch pack to engage the front driveshaft, they basically have a shift arm that pushes on the clutch pack in varying amounts to allow the automatic engagement and the it pushes really hard on the clutch pack to do fully engaged 4wd. and these are not your average everyday transfer case. I would by a good reman unit if it's the automatic version.

 

[Richcz28]

Yes, it's the automatic version.

 

[Richcz28]

I've been looking at remans briefly online. They appear to be in the 1k range. Is it just me, or is that crazy expensive?

 

[jekquistk5]

I've been looking at remans briefly online. They appear to be in the 1k range. Is it just me, or is that crazy expensive?

Whats the number on it? My dad has one from an 05 that is perfectly fine just need all the sensors and electronic stuff swapped over.

 

[Deuling]

Price seems normal.

 

[miniwally]

Look at Transfer Case Express, they seem to have a decent rep. I think? you need a NP243 but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

NP246

 

[Richcz28]

Thanks, transfer case express actually does have much better pricing.

We grabbed a craigslist case for $100 last night. It's not super clean, but the back half looks to be a different color from the front. Maybe this means it's been rebuilt in its life...

From what I have read and learned these cases can get a hole worn in them and lose all the fluid. When removing the old case last night, I found there was no fluid in it.

I hope to have the new used case in tonight.

I may look into rebuilding the case that's coming out before winter. The rebuild kits I have seen are in the $100 range.

 

[Fred_M1010]

Thanks, transfer case express actually does have much better pricing.

We grabbed a craigslist case for $100 last night. It's not super clean, but the back half looks to be a different color from the front. Maybe this means it's been rebuilt in its life...

From what I have read and learned these cases can get a hole worn in them and lose all the fluid. When removing the old case last night, I found there was no fluid in it.

I hope to have the new used case in tonight.

I may look into rebuilding the case that's coming out before winter. The rebuild kits I have seen are in the $100 range.

I would address the pump rub issue before swapping in another t-case.
Thats what wears the hole in the housing.
You can get the parts here:
https://www.merchant-automotive.com/p-4017-transfer-case-pump-upgrade-kit.aspx

The different color of the housing could mean that the back half has been swapped, so maybe this has already been taken care of...
But there is a risk that they just swapped the leaking housing, and never fixed the real problem...

 

[Richcz28]

I would address the pump rub issue before swapping in another t-case.
Thats what wears the hole in the housing.
You can get the parts here:
https://www.merchant-automotive.com/p-4017-transfer-case-pump-upgrade-kit.aspx

The different color of the housing could mean that the back half has been swapped, so maybe this has already been taken care of...
But there is a risk that they just swapped the leaking housing, and never fixed the real problem...

I already have the new used case in.

We didn't have fluid in the other night when I installed it, so I didn't get to test it out. My buddy put fluid in the next day and the case seems to be stuck in neutral. The actuator won't shift. I had him pull both actuators off to swap them for the one we know is good, but he can't seem to get the selector shaft lined up. I also had him try shifting the shaft with a pair of vice grips, but he had no luck.

It didn't sound like he played much with the driveshafts or rolling the truck a little to get things moving. He is going to try again another day apparently...

I'm unable help my buddy work on it past getting it installed right now, or the truck would probably be mobile already. He isn't the handiest so it's a struggle

 

[miniwally]

I already have the new used case in.

We didn't have fluid in the other night when I installed it, so I didn't get to test it out. My buddy put fluid in the next day and the case seems to be stuck in neutral. The actuator won't shift. I had him pull both actuators off to swap them for the one we know is good, but he can't seem to get the selector shaft lined up. I also had him try shifting the shaft with a pair of vice grips, but he had no luck.

It didn't sound like he played much with the driveshafts or rolling the truck a little to get things moving. He is going to try again another day apparently...

I'm unable help my buddy work on it past getting it installed right now, or the truck would probably be mobile already. He isn't the handiest so it's a struggle

I know there are some odd things with the shift motor, indexing and electronics. Not entirely sure but it seems like there is a specific procedure for installing the shift mechanism. If done wrong it won't work.

 

[Richcz28]

It didn't seem to complicated when I read the directions. The only big thing not to do, is plug it in before installing.

The t-case actually should be able to be shifted with the actuator off according to everything I've read. I don't think my buddy understands how to move the truck a little to get the driveshafts moving and have everything line up right though.

 

[miniwally]

It didn't seem to complicated when I read the directions. The only big thing not to do, is plug it in before installing.

The t-case actually should be able to be shifted with the actuator off according to everything I've read. I don't think my buddy understands how to move the truck a little to get the driveshafts moving and have everything line up right though.

It's hard to over come mechanical ignorance over the phone. I haven't messed with this type so I really don't know first hand, I've only heard the troubles the electric side can be if not done in the right sequence. Sounds like you have the info you need.

 

[Richcz28]

Yea, thanks. I hope he gets it figured out... He told me he has the day off to look at it on Friday. I tried to explain how it doesn't take a day but ...

Like you said, I can't make it work through the phone.