Buy or re-build my transfer case??

[cobbcfi]

I have heard of horror stories about people buying re-built transmissions with J/B epoxy filling holes in the rear case.

From another forum:
"It took 5 days to get it in, $1,230.00 and I needed the truck so I was ready to install that night. When I picked it up I noticed that the rebuild had (you guessed it) an epoxy repaired rear case. It turns out that the rebuilds aren't even from GM they came from a repair shop in IL. I called both the repair shop and GM and it's considered a certified repair to fix the case with epoxy."

I am going to pull mine out and pressurize the case through the fill hole to about 15psi and see if I can find a leak in the rear case.

My question is:

If my case is solid without the pin-holes in it, do I just re-build it or do I look for a used or re-built NV246 GM?

How hard would it be to re-build it myself? I have been around cars for 20 years but never messed with a transmission or T-case.

I can probably find a guy with knowledge to help me if I tackle it myself.

I am looking for a cost saving solution, if you know of a good place to get used/rebuilt t-cases, please let me know.

Thanks again guys...

 

[bowtiefreak]

whats wrong with teh current transfer case?

 

[SunlitComet]

you will need some specialty tools like bearing separators, pullers and a press but it can be done there are some suppliers for parts or you can try here:

www.transfercases.com/

just thoroughly inspect the casing.

 

[wma4553]

The rebuild is not that difficult, the hard part is getting the thing out and back in. There are rebuild kits available on ebay which include all the bearings, gaskets, ect. there are also how tos on the internet. I did mine about a year ago and spent about $150.00 on parts. If all they do is epoxy the hole you can do that as good as they can. If yours is making a noise its usually the rear output shaft bearing which has a cheap plastic retainer ring that fails. Be sure to get a kit that has an aftermarket rear bearing that is all metal. I did mine laying on the ground by myself and it was a *****. It would be much easier if you have a lift and transmission jack, if not at least get a helper.

 

[cobbcfi]

OK, I am posting now and headed to work. Tonight I will pull out my transfer case and set it on the bench, what do I need to look for to diagnose the problem?

What do I do before I crack her open?

What do I look for once she's open?

Is there a certain procedure or critical step that I need to do/watch out for?

How do I know whats bad? If I can remove the rear output shaft bearing and then spin the gears/chain & sprockets and the noise is gone, that's the problem right?

Please let me know what I need to do and to look for.

Thanks in advance..

Any links to the "How to's" and "write up's"....

 

[wma4553]

You can look inside the rear output seal and should be able to see the large ball bearing, if you see any gaps between the balls that means the retainer has failed and there will be a couple of those balls rolling around in there somewhere which is what makes that grinding noise.

 

[SunlitComet]

how about getting the proper service documentation first.

 

[cobbcfi]

Documentation??

I owned a Jeep CJ-7 for 12 years..

I wing it, and it always works.

I am here for some fingers to point me in the right direction and warn me if I am off track..

I'll fillet the T-case tomorrow and take some pics and let ya'll know whats going on..

 

[wma4553]

Here is a link to a short video that may be of value to you in your rebuild.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video...ild&tnr=21&vid=4955881820651566&turl=http://t

 

[cobbcfi]

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!

Transfer case is now a boat anchor!!!

PullED it apart and metal flakes, shavings and chunks everywhere!!

Ball bearings missing half the balls!!

Oil pump bored a pin-hole in the case..

Let me know if there is a good place to get a reman T-case...

Pictures: Enjoy!

 

[cobbcfi]

More painful images... At least my 429 Cobra in the background still runs like a scalded ape!!

 

[SunlitComet]

by chance was there a lot of rtv used to seal the case that would have spilled over the case faces.

 

[cobbcfi]

No RTV anywhere on the case... Looks completely stock.

 

[cobbcfi]

Why can I only find parts for the NP246 when I have the NV246?? Very few sites carry or have parts for the NV246! Are the NP246 and NV246 parts interchangeable??

I know my bearings have literally exploded and the seals and all are shot, but under further investigation the chain and gears look ok. Having said that, I am going to replace bearings and seals after a complete cleaning and partial rebuild and drive it till it blows.

I need the truck now, I am relocating 300 miles away in 3 weeks and I cant afford a $500-$1200 transfer case.

Let me know where I can find a bearing and seal master rebuild kit for the NV246..

As long as I can get another 10k out of this transfer case then I'll replace when I have the money..

 

[SunlitComet]

Already told you where you can get a rebuilt several days ago. If you need individual part got to http://www.drivetrain.com/
Don't worry about the np/nv name issue.