Keep it or part it?
The engine fires right up, and runs good and smooth. I replaced the passenger side axle this weekend, and it pulls strong, and the transmission (C6) shifts great. However, when I decelerate, it makes a nasty grinding noise, where I believe its coming from the transfer case. Any ideas on what causes this?
I still need the new front clip, and now a transfer case. I got the truck for the cost of getting the title, so I have next to nothing in it. My question, is it worth it to fix it or just part it out? I don't know much about these diesels, as I have driven mostly Powerstrokes and International DT466's. How long does the average 6.9L last?
Thanks for any info.
If you have space, and don't need it, and have the time, it may be one of those deals that you can wait long enough and find the parts cheap enough to fix it and sell it complete at a very nice profit. Or, if your old lady will kill you for leaving a junky truck sitting around it might be best to part it out, get the quick cash, and buy her some nice jewlery...
As far as the grinding noise under deceleration you may have an exhaust pipe rubbing against something under the cab. It is kinda strange to only have a noise like that on decel. Check your u joints in the rear driveshaft while you are under the truck.
As for the noise, I don't think it's the exhaust, as when I put the t-case in Neutral, the noise stops. It makes noise in 2HI, 4HI, and 4LO. I will check the u-joints, but I can feel the grinding through the t-case shift lever when it happens. I have never torn apart a t-case, but I am going to try Pull-N-Save on Saturday for a replacement. They charge $68 for one.

87s are a pretty good truck. The 6.9s have always been the more reliable engine although a little under powered. Being the last year 6.9 it has all the updates, late glow plugs, head gaskets, rocker bridges, and gear reduction starter. It hard to go wrong with a C-6 tranny either. The body/frame would be the only negatives I could think of, if you can fix it yourself, go for it.




