Have a periodical grinding sound form drivetrain ...mainly at highway speeds after a good run. U-joints are fine but there seems to be significant play between driveshaft yoke and transfercase neck ...would this be a bushing/bearing in transfercase or possibly yoke itself?. 180k on truck ...any ideas?

 

Inside the Transfer case tail housing is a bushing. If you can move the slip yoke up and down (radially) alot, it is probably worn. Does it leak lubricant? I replaced mine with a new housing in the past as Ford does not sell the bushing separately. They ran about $90 3 years ago.
Mark

 

Thanks ...theres not really a lube leak yet. Just a grinding sound at highway speed particulary when i hit a bump. Never messed with transfer case so im in new territory. Theres definitely significant play at the tail piece ...more than there should be . Sounds like a no big deal fix.

 

Has anyone had problem with yoke wearing out? ..ordered tail piece but wonder if this could be bad too

 

When you talk about the tailpiece, are you referring to the part that goes from the front shaft into the transfer case? I have the same problem in my 87 f250 4x4, particularly when I hit a bump. It sounds very loud but then it stops when I come to a complete stop. It won't start again until I hit another bump. That front driveshaft doesn't turn when the 4x4 is disengaged right? Is your noise happening when you are out of 4 wheel?



The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender...

 

The splines in the yoke can wear, but as for the area that rides in the tail housing bushing, probably not, since the bushing is made of bronze a softer material than the hardened steel yoke. The only other place they can wear is where the u-joint bearing caps are pressed into.
Mark

 

My problem occurs when I'm out of 4 wheel drive. Driving local it doesnt happen , but once ive been running around a bit at higher speeds it happens, usually when i hit a bump. Makes a brief intermitent grind/chatter sound with no change in speed. Truck has 180k so anything can wear at that point. There is noticeable play in the yoke shaft with slight leak(just noticed this today) I would suspect it should have little or no play. Havent found another 88, manual transmision model to compare it to. Automatics dont have that tail piece.

 

Actually I thought you were talking about an auto. I don't think the transmission affects the transfer case output type. My 89 with the AOD had the tailshaft on the case. The only vehicles without the tailhousing are the short wheelbase ones like Bronco's that require a CV joint at the case output. You may also want to have your driveshaft balanced as this will cause unusual vibrations and wear out the bushing faster if it is out of balance.
Mark

 

Hi, before you condemn the transfer case check the carrier bearing it is in the driveshaftit bolts to the frame and has a bearing in it that carries the center of the driveshaft mine went and it started with a grinding noise then a squeek then major vibration I changed the bearing all is fine now and it is about $13.00 John

 

..dont have that bearing ...its a shortbed, not there