NP 226 autotrack transfer case?

[max 02]

Anyone of you guys rebuild one of these?

My daughters Trailblazer makes noise in four wheel drive. I’m guessing a bearing has gone bad in the TC. I was thinking I’ll take it apart find the bearing and replace it. Hopefully the clutches and everything thing else looks Ok.

I wish I could use a different transfer case but I can’t find online where anybody has swapped to a different model. Maybe a electric shift 243? I don’t know?

The Trailblazer is a 03 With a 4.2

 

[Blue85]

You could isolate the case from the front diff by unplugging the front actuator and/or pulling the front shaft. How's the fluid level? Does this case take GM magic blue fluid?

 

[Cili]

One thing to check it is in the front axle on the passenger side, the axle runs through the oil pan and the front actuator is in a housing right on the oil pan if I remember right. I’ve seen a few with issues in that area.

 

[max 02]

You could isolate the case from the front diff by unplugging the front actuator and/or pulling the front shaft. How's the fluid level? Does this case take GM magic blue fluid?

I have unplugged the actuator, but when its disconnected the transfer case will not shift...I was going to pull the front drive shaft off but never did do that test.
The fluid is to the top and yes full of GM`s magic blue. The TC is quiet in 2x4, 4x4 makes noise 4 low is WOW...you want to blow up don`t you!
When we got the trailblazer it needed a trans, I pulled it out and had it rebuilt, I don't remember it making noise before the trans rebuild, I wonder if the bearing for the front drive shaft went bad, the shaft is just held it there with a spring clip...I had a bit of a bitch getting it to release?

One thing to check it is in the front axle on the passenger side, the axle runs through the oil pan and the front actuator is in a housing right on the oil pan if I remember right. I’ve seen a few with issues in that area.

I have taken that side apart to investigate the issues you are talking about, was fine over on that end. The seal on the drivers side had a massive oil leak, replaced the seal over there.

 

[Blue85]

I assume it's like the fullsizes and you can remove the electric actuator from the T-case selector shaft and shift it manually (with pliers or something). Not sure if there's a manual way to engage the front actuator. You could probably engage 4x4, then remove the actuator from the t-case, but leave it connected to the harness. If you manually select 2HI at that point, it should still think it's in 4HI and keep the front axle engaged.

Likewise you should be able to pull the front actuator, but leave the harness plugged in (tie it up to something?), so the system thinks the front is engaged. Or if you had a spare actuator...

 

[max 02]

I assume it's like the fullsizes and you can remove the electric actuator from the T-case selector shaft and shift it manually (with pliers or something). Not sure if there's a manual way to engage the front actuator. You could probably engage 4x4, then remove the actuator from the t-case, but leave it connected to the harness. If you manually select 2HI at that point, it should still think it's in 4HI and keep the front axle engaged.

Likewise you should be able to pull the front actuator, but leave the harness plugged in (tie it up to something?), so the system thinks the front is engaged. Or if you had a spare actuator...

I’m fairly positive the noise is in the Transfer case so I’m just going to pull it out when I get a chance. Thankfully the weather has been great here so she doesn’t need 4x4, and now that I got both my kids vehicles running good we got spare rigs to drive. So when the weather gets bad they can just drive my sons Duramax and I’ll start on the Trailblazer.

I could do more looking and testing but honestly it is a bitch to work on. If I had a lift at home it would be easy. Oh well.

 

[max 02]

Fixed it!

Was the bearings in the case. I took it out tore it down and found three bearings that were noisy. Bought a bearing and seal kit for it and replaced them all. Four hours from case all apart on the bench to test drive and garage all cleaned up! Its nice and quiet now.