Transfer Case Chain Noise

hahaynes · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 04:39 PM

95 Jeep is making a loud grinding, grating noise. I believe it is coming from the Transfer case. I can see the chain and the noise appears to only happen when the chain acually rotates and what I would say as torque on the system. Coasting makes no noise and when in park eveything sounds fine, the engine sounds good as ever, all the noise happens when it is put in gear and driven.

Being able to see the chain seemed odd to me. Is that normal? Shoudn't the chain be fully encased and unseen because of lubrication and general protection? The Haynes repair manual doesn't give me enough information to tell for sure. I wonder if that's my problem...

LauraBoston · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 07:15 PM

rewind..how can you see the chain? does it happen in 4wd? how does the fluid look...and what kind of tcase?

Sparky-Watts · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 08:12 PM

I wouldn't think being able to see the chain in the tcase at any time while the engine is running would be a good thing.

hahaynes · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2007, 11:32 PM

Hope this helps. Seeing should be believing....Attached are some picture I just took. I just layed on the ground on the drivers side, left is toward the front and right is toward the back, very accessable.

Is there a cover missing or has something fallen off? I thought the transfer case was a sealed box, so you never had to check the fluid. I can't imagine any fluid in mine right now.

Same noise in four wheel or two wheel drive....

Bounty__Hunter · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 12:33 AM

Bad news is you hosed the rear case half of the transfer case, blew a hole right in it. Good news it is rebuildable as the front case half doesn't look damaged. If you were close enough I have all the parts here to rebuild it.

Consider picking up a used one, make sure it's from a similar drivetrain so the input shaft will be correct. You could pick up almost any 231j if you knew how to swap your input shaft into the new one. They run about $200 and less around here.

Sparky-Watts · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 06:58 AM

Holy Cow!! Yeah, I'd say that's a problem!

hahaynes · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the knowledge. I'm really surpirse it didn't lock up. I'll see what I can find in here Charlotte.

The 2nd engine only has 30k on it, so, it's worth it to me to put a rebuilt or used ransfer case on in it. I figure the transmission will go in time but besides that I shoud be good to go for several more years...thanks again...

SenorCole86 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 10:02 PM

how does one go about doing that kind of damage?

Bounty__Hunter · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 10:15 PM

Looks as if it may have run dry on fluid, and the chain stretched and eventually slipped a tooth on the front output sprocket. There's not enough room between the case and sprocket for the chain to skip a tooth without breaking the case.

LauraBoston · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 12:24 PM

it's those new air cooled tcases...i'v seen'em

hahaynes · #11 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007, 04:38 PM

Air cooled alright.

Any thoughts on driving it down the street besides a prayer and cross'n my fingers? It's seems that if I did pour anything on it, it would fly out every where and leave a nice trail of evidence....

Bounty__Hunter · #12 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007, 06:54 PM

I recommend not driving it unless you wanna be replacing even more parts. It could damage the transmission should it continue like it is.

hahaynes · #13 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007, 12:54 AM

thanks.......

Geep5 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 06:16 AM

I have a 2000 TJ and I also have a problem with my t-case. Whenever I try to engage it I get is a grinding noise. I haven't blown a hole in my t-case (just yet). I do have fluid in it and it only happens when I have to abruptly accelerate. Any suggestions on what it may be?? Stretched chain, missing gear teeth, any help would be appreciated, thanks