Cruiser 105 Transfer Case Output Bearings Gone

Submitted: Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 12:06

ThreadID: 73742 Views:4297 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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viz

Coupla questions for the technical minded inmates.

Note: auto gearbox.

Just come back from the spannerman - looks like that rumbling noise at speed (90-115 km/hr) is the output shaft bearings on the transfer case failing. Not sure front or rear, hard to tell (there is a LOT of noise under the car when it is on the hoist at 110 km/hr...)

Question one: what is normally the bearing that fails - rear output shaft?

Question two: I have raised the suspension 2" front and have airsprings in the back. So ride height can vary from 2" above standard to 4" if in situations that demand a higher ride height - bad roads and sand dunes. I have fitted castor plates to the front as well which means that the axle has been rotated backwards by about 7º.

The rear drive shaft does not look like it is at an extreme angle, so I would not have thought this would have been a problem. The front though looks like it is over 4º at the transfer case end - probably closer to 6-8º.

To the question - how much risk is there of the output shaft bearings getting trashed if the drive shaft is over 4º and is it a recurring problem that if I don't change the angle to under 4º?

I am trying to find the cause of the problem. The car has done about 114,000 km, is carefully maintained; however I have a more powerful motor than standard and the raised suspension. Is it a sign of old age or something from the mods I have done?

TIA

viz

PS - anyone know how much (roughly) a transfer r&r and bearing replacement might cost?

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Reply By: Top End Explorer - Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 12:39

Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 12:39

To answer question 2 first a 2" lift wont hurt the car, and don't forget if the car was jacked up off the hoist the suspension would be sagging, so it would look worse than it actually is.

If your Mechanic can't diagnose the problem with the test you have done then I am afraid the gearbox and transfer need to come out and be pulled apart, this will give you a no nonsense diagnosis, It sounds like it has to come out for repairs anyway, anyone here is just going to be guessing as to the problem, If you mechanic couldn't tell then no one here could.

While it,s out put a full bearing kit through it or otherwise you will be doing half a job, then more than likely you will have to do it all over again sooner than latter.

Cheers Steve.

AnswerID: 391189

Follow Up By: viz - Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 12:59

Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 12:59

Wont be doing this by halves - never do in cases like these. If the transfer case comes out, its getting a thorough pull-through.

Using the stethoscope we had a grumbling wow-wow-wow-wow noise on the rear and front output shafts - this translated to a grumbling growling noise in the cabin at freeway speeds.

Mechanic is quite certain the bearings are gone.

What I am trying to do is avoiding a repeat - and if the mods I have undertaken are the cause I might have to have a rethink. You reassure me in what you say :)

viz

FollowupID: 659031

Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 22:23

Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 22:23

I had mine replaced under warrenty at about 50,000km.(transfer case bearings)
Now has 160,000km and still is a bit noisy...they just are....

Running the thing on a hoist with no load is not a very good way to try to diagnose bearing thrust noise.

I would be replacing all bearings in your situation.

AnswerID: 391223

Reply By: Member - Tour Boy ( Bundy QLD) - Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 10:24

Monday, Nov 16, 2009 at 10:24

I found that on both my last 2 autos, the exhaust is very close to the transfer case and thus the t/c seems to get way too hot. Considering that they don't hold much oil, the extra heat may be the problem. My 1st auto did the front output bearing (just put a second hand t/c in), and the rear diff and my current one had a leaking rear output seal so I just swapped the rear section of the other t/c I had changed. After 2000km last week I have a weep from one of the gaskets in the middle somewhere.

I have about 1/2 inch clerance from the t/c to the exhaust and can't even fit a heat shield.

2 in lift has never been a prob in any of my cruisers (45 of them) and I've only had t/c probs/ leaks in the 2 of my 4 x 105 series cruisers.

Cheers
Dave