Brought my driveshaft to the shop to get a new carrier bearing put on. ($100 parts & labor...I don't know the brand, didn't check yet). While there he pointed out a groove in the yoke that slides into the transfer case. I'll have to take a closer look at it to see how wide and deep it is. I figured while I was there I would get a new yoke and u-joint for the front. I think I overpaid, but I've had a crappy day, didn't feel like shopping around, and just wanted it done. Spicer front yoke w/ a Neapco u-joint, cost $130 for parts/labor on that. I wanted Spicer non-greaseable, but whatever, what's done is done.

Anyways, he said the groove on the yoke was caused by a worn bushing in the transfer case, and if I didn't replace it, it would do the same thing to the new yoke. I just had the transfer case rebuilt ~1 year ago, I would think that whatever bushing he is talking about is good; but then again with a bad carrier bearing, maybe it prematurely wore out?

Or maybe even he doesn't know what he's talking about?

Can I just install this thing? Or is there some bushing in the transfer case I need to replace?

...and did I get ripped off? I think I already know that answer.

 

there is a snap ring that can break on the output of the t-case, when it does it allows a bearing or bushing to slide out and it allows play in the shaft/yoke.

its a $5 snap ring and less than an hour to pull the tailshaft housing and replace it. that might be it.

 

Pull the tailshaft housing off the transfer case? Like the rear-most part?

Do you have a link or pic or anything to show what you're talking about?

I'm thinking it's just "300K mile wear", and not something in the transfer case that will wear this new one down in 5 miles like he said...but who knows.

 

i dont think $130 for the yoke, u-joint, and labor (including re-balancing) is bad. I've had good luck with Neapco u-joints. I personally prefer u-joints that I can grease every month, but to each his own.

Daniel

 

just the tailshaft, its 3 or 4 bolts, they make a "transfer case saver" but when i tried to order one they were out of stock.

http://www.drivetrain.com/gillies/Tcasesaver.html

id bet that with 300k, this snapring has something to do with it. and that can be where alot of your clunking came from!

 

My buddy kept breaking that snap ring in his t-case. Granted he was doing 2 grand launches on 40" tires with no ladder bars. When his broke though it made a horrible grinding noise in the tranny that sounded like a bunch of bearings going bad. Don't remember any grooves in the yoke though.

 

Yeah I have nothing like that. What causes that groove? I always thought it was just from the seal riding on it, but who knows.

 

Dirt on the seal lip combined with oil will make a nice abrasive that will put a groove in it. Personally, I would've put in a new seal and speedi-sleeved the yoke.

 

Well like I said the tcase and seal are only a year old. So I should be able to just put this shaft in and be fine huh? There is no 'bushing' causing it to wear out?

I'll check into that snap ring, I have to do some work down there anyways....