The Arizona Transfer Case Massacre

[SedonaBound]

I just read the "Great TC Fluid Debate" thread and now I'm curious what fluid was in the blown case?

 

[alrock]

It was filled by GM as new cases come pre-filled (It was installed 2010). Thus I would believe it is Dex VI. That's also what I've been using on any fluid changes on the prior case, and it's what I put in the temp case.

 

[alrock]

I should add that I don't think this was necessarily a stretched chain issue first. I had a couple instances over the previous six months where the truck would suddenly buck on the street - just once, but sudden and hard. I suspect something was broken off in the case and was getting caught in the gears, causing the bucking. On the third and last time, it was enough to break the chain. At that point I didn't know what was wrong but I could figure out the t-case was ruined so I didn't worry about noises at that time.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I should add that I don't think this was necessarily a stretched chain issue first. I had a couple instances over the previous six months where the truck would suddenly buck on the street - just once, but sudden and hard. I suspect something was broken off in the case and was getting caught in the gears, causing the bucking. On the third and last time, it was enough to break the chain. At that point I didn't know what was wrong but I could figure out the t-case was ruined so I didn't worry about noises at that time.

I really have come to detest those "a ha" moments...

 

[SedonaBound]

My Montero and Audi w/quattro would buck occasionally when torque got trapped in the system. When it got to certain level the driveline would buck a bit to release it. The Audi's center diff would do a pretty violent "bang". AFAIK, it was considered a normal 4WD quirk.

 

[RamRod]

So if I guy is trying to find out if he has a loose chain would it only make sounds in 4hi lock and 4lo lock, or any of the running modes?

I had to call it early today when i got some noises come from my T case area today.
The noise only be can after 8mph or above and in all modes but not when in AWD....
I also noticed the T case having a hard time going back from 4hi lock to AWD a few times after a full day of wheeling....

 

[alrock]

Not sure but I think it was wise to call it early

 

[5gn-h3t]

So if I guy is trying to find out if he has a loose chain would it only make sounds in 4hi lock and 4lo lock, or any of the running modes?

Set the parking brake, block the wheels.
Put the truck in 4Hi-Lock and remove the front driveshaft from the transfer case. Grab the t-case flange and rotate it back and forth with your hand. You will be able to feel if the chain is loose.

 

[4speedfunk]

I still got mine sitting here on the bench. I suspect its the same issue, although without the busted case. Like yours, it was bucking and binding...with a few horrific "BANGS" thrown in. On time was so bad, I thought I had been rear-ended!

Mine appears to be in good physical shape but, there are loose parts rolling around inside it. So I swapped-in a new GM AP case...figured I would get around to disassembling it some day. Once I do...I want to work on converting the 4HI-Street mode to a traditional 2HI mode.

 

[Ghostbuster]

I still got mine sitting here on the bench. I suspect its the same issue, although without the busted case. Like yours, it was bucking and binding...with a few horrific "BANGS" thrown in. On time was so bad, I thought I had been rear-ended!

Mine appears to be in good physical shape but, there are loose parts rolling around inside it. So I swapped-in a new GM AP case...figured I would get around to disassembling it some day. Once I do...I want to work on converting the 4HI-Street mode to a traditional 2HI mode.

That would be cool.