Transfer Case Noise

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May 7, 2015 | 09:18 PM

rustyrudder

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Transfer Case Noise

Hey y'all,

In another installment of "Whats that sound?" I have finally figured out the odd noises my truck's been making. I've been feelin pretty low thinking I was killing my freshly rebuilt motor with spark knock, but as the title of this posts suggests, I was way off base. Its not a knock, not a tick, not a ping, its more of a rattle. How do I know its the transfer case? Well, if when driving I hear that annoying sound, I can push the transfer case shifter forward and the sound stops.

So what do y'all think is making that noise? I apologize for the terrible description, and I realize its not to much to go on. The best way I can describe it is a fast rattle when accelerating through second and third gear, and then a intermittent rattle at highway speeds punctuated by sharp (almost) knocks. Again, holding the transfer case shifter **** stopped all of this.

I appreciate all the help, the truck is a 1988 f150, 300 six, Borg Warner T18, and Borg Warner transfer case.

May 7, 2015 | 09:22 PM

GocartMozart

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Joined: Oct 2014

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Sorta same issue here on 1995 f150 4x4 5.8...so I am following.

May 8, 2015 | 04:27 AM

Diesel_Brad

Fleet Owner

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21,437

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From: Gilbert, PA

Ummmmmm............ Have you checked the fluid level and or condition?

May 8, 2015 | 06:00 AM

broncoderek

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If something rattled but stopped when I held it tight or pressed it into it's absolute limit of travel (effectively trapping it, holding it still), I'd check that item first.

That first item would be the lever itself. Then after you've gotten a yes/no on the lever, you can move down the line to linkage, then beyond.

Some of us might just bungie the lever tight enough to stop the noise (like putting black tape over the Check Engine Light or cranking up the stereo!)

May 8, 2015 | 08:41 AM

dixie460

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Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 3,533

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From: SW Florida

Can you afford to have the truck down for a day or so? I'd pull the transfer case out and crack it open. Not hard to remove or work on. Might as well before something grenades and causes more damage. Has it been apart before? How many miles on the case? When they get up there in miles the oil pump retainer lets go and breaks one of the shift forks (I forget which one).

May 8, 2015 | 02:50 PM

GoinBoarding

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Laramie, WY

I think its the H/L shift fork that'll break, sometimes leaving you stuck in neutral and going nowhere... Figure this out quick so you don't roast that case, rebuilding it is easy and not that expensive.

May 8, 2015 | 05:37 PM

rustyrudder

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Wow guys, thanks for the advice! When I bought the truck a year or so ago I checked the fluid level, and it was fine so I let it ride. I actually have some synthetic that I was going to throw in there when I got around to it. Honestly, I thought the linkage might be the problem too, however, dixie460 and GoinBoarding, y'all might be right. A couple times this past winter the T case would pop out of 4H so maybe a shift fork is shot, and it wasn't getting into gear? What's involved in rebuilding one of these?