[Drivetrain] transfercase noise

[DDWheeler]

I dont know to much about t cases but the other day my front drive shaft u joint broke and destroyed the case anyways i bought another t case same as one that broke np231d swaped it in and when i went to drive it i get up to 25 30 mph and the tcase feels like its tryin the go into 4 low by its self sounds like gears are hitting eachother if i pull the tcase shifter back a little and hold it it does not do it and if i put it in 4 high it drives fine. this is without the front drive shaft in
any ideas what it could be?
btw my names james and im new here

[swirvin21]

most likely you haven't properly adjusted your linkage and the case is partially between gears. Don't know what year it is, but if it's a 98+ 2nd gen it's pretty simple, haven't messed with the older shifter setup though. Can you get all the way in 4 lo and 4 hi? If so, just find out which way you're holding the shifter to get the noise to stop (forwards or backwards) and either lengthen or shorten the linkage about 1/4-1/2"

[DDWheeler]

i did that last night didnt help any i even took the linkage off and made sure it was in 2wd drove it around the block and still did it could there be something in the tcase that holds it in gear like a fork or something? the truck is a 99 ram 1500

[swirvin21]

There are shift pads on the fork that could be worn (pretty common) which may have something to do with it. Rebuilding it yourself is not that difficult, but if it has been making noises for more than just a few trips you've likely started to cause some damage. You can temporarily set the linkage overtight to pull/push and hold it in gear if it's the 97 & older shifter, or use a bungee or something similar to hold it if it's the 98+ shifter. Unfortunately you really need to pull it apart and see. You can start by pulling the front driveshaft and see if that helps at all (could remove some strain if it's trying to go into 4x4.)

If you don't think you'll be able to do anything for awhile on it I would suggest you start looking for another case, rebuild it and then swap it in. Because your case could be fried by that point depending on what's going on. Worst case it's fried and you already have a new case to swap in, best case your current one is okay and you either have a spare or can sell it to get your money back on the one you bought. Should be able to get a 231 at a pick & pull for around $200 I would think, maybe less.

FYI, it is an option to swap in a NP241 if you wanted a stronger case, however it may require driveshaft changes. If you have extra cash you might consider going ahead with a Slip Yoke Eliminator kit while you're at it. There are versions for the 231 that can be considerably cheaper than the 241 versions.

[DDWheeler]

Well i just bought this case of Craigslist cuz my other case cracked so i was thinkin that i could just take parts from the tcase that cracked and make one good tcase because that one had no problems i only had to replace it cuz my front drive shaft u joint broke while i was in 4wd and the tcase couldnt handle it

i wanted to do the 241 but i dont have the extra money for drive shafts or a slip yoke kit

[outalne94z71]

sounds like the common broken clip in the tailshaft, $5 at the dealer for the clip the 231/241 has a common issue with them breaking and them making that same noise you describe, my brother just had his 231 in his 2000 dakota do the same thing, chevy 241 also has that same issue and the clip is $1.50 for a chevy one, not sure if it is the same size.

better to have a new clip than use one from the spare parts since they are prone to breaking

[swirvin21]

never knew that Ken, where is the clip, in the output housing? Figured something like that would make noise all the time, not just when his hand is off the shifter.

X2 not to use those small parts from your old case. You may be able to get away with chains or shafts and large parts, but the small stuff should be purchased new unless you're stuck somewhere with no other choice.

[outalne94z71]

(01-25-2012 07:46 PM)swirvin21 Wrote:  never knew that Ken, where is the clip, in the output housing? Figured something like that would make noise all the time, not just when his hand is off the shifter.

X2 not to use those small parts from your old case. You may be able to get away with chains or shafts and large parts, but the small stuff should be purchased new unless you're stuck somewhere with no other choice.

in the tailshaft against the bearing, i kept breaking them till i tig welded it in place with a couple tack welds

[DDWheeler]

ill have to check the out
sounds like i would just have to take the tail shaft off and if will be right there? sounds pretty simple

[DDWheeler]

hears what my old tcase looked like after a $20 part broke... lol