Transfer Case Gear Noise
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Transfer Case Gear Noise
New to the forum....excellent!! Seems like a lot of help is here. I've done tons of reading, but this is my first post.
I have a 98 F150 4x4 w/ about 115k miles on it. I bought it at 30k miles, and even back then, I noticed that above 40 miles per hour, the transfer case makes a gear noise that sounds almost like a rattle, and it changes with forward speed. It's quiet enough that with the stereo playing or a window down, you can't even hear it. It's never changed in all those miles, and I've changed the fluid twice with what the manual says to put in it. I notice that if I grab the shifter for the transfer case and pull it to the left slightly, it will all but make the noise go away.
I'm not real concerned about the noise, but I'm just curious as hell to know what it could be!!! Any ideas? I thought about running thicker oil, but never had the guts to do it.
I have a 98 F150 4x4 w/ about 115k miles on it. I bought it at 30k miles, and even back then, I noticed that above 40 miles per hour, the transfer case makes a gear noise that sounds almost like a rattle, and it changes with forward speed. It's quiet enough that with the stereo playing or a window down, you can't even hear it. It's never changed in all those miles, and I've changed the fluid twice with what the manual says to put in it. I notice that if I grab the shifter for the transfer case and pull it to the left slightly, it will all but make the noise go away.
I'm not real concerned about the noise, but I'm just curious as hell to know what it could be!!! Any ideas? I thought about running thicker oil, but never had the guts to do it.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Welcome to the forum 
I guess that no one had ran into this problem before. The transfer cases on these trucks are usually pretty trouble-free.
I wouldn't run heavier oil in it. Most newer transfer cases, transmissions etc are made to run ATF. These transfer cases have an oil pump in them and I'm not sure how that would like heavier oil.
Is the shifter tight? The bushings in it aren't worn?
I guess that no one had ran into this problem before. The transfer cases on these trucks are usually pretty trouble-free.
I wouldn't run heavier oil in it. Most newer transfer cases, transmissions etc are made to run ATF. These transfer cases have an oil pump in them and I'm not sure how that would like heavier oil.
Is the shifter tight? The bushings in it aren't worn?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Check the linkage starting at the shift lever first. If it almost goes away when you hold on to it, it could be external linkage.....or internal, but easier to not break into the T-case.
If its nothing that can be done from the outside, then it would be best to drop the t-case and crack it open and start checking for loose parts. Shake things up a bit and see if you get a common rattle to what you are hearing. Just remember to have a second pair of hands or another jack around for the t-case...it is heavy.
If its nothing that can be done from the outside, then it would be best to drop the t-case and crack it open and start checking for loose parts. Shake things up a bit and see if you get a common rattle to what you are hearing. Just remember to have a second pair of hands or another jack around for the t-case...it is heavy.
Last edited by BillyBob69; May 13, 2005 at 01:50 PM.
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From: Kabetogama, MN
Hey, I have the same "problem'' I have a 1997 F-150 4X4 S/C with a Manual transfer case. It too "rattles" at 40 or so. I have since learned to just deal with it after all I have talked to said to not worry so much. It too quiets a little when i grab it. After looking it over from underneath and inspecting the linkage I have concluded it is normal drivetrain vibration. I have had difficulty compairing mine with others for most have the *** selector. However, I like the manual shifter better, it is more versitile for having a nutral selection.
Still kicking!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,061
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From: Kalispell, Mt.
Im wondering if any of your rattling transfer case shifters are caused by a non stock ****? My stock **** was broken and a pain in the patoot to use..it kept pulling off when I'd try to engage, so I bought an aftermarket ****..a fancy lookin one with a nice grip to it... and it makes so much noise that I now drive without the **** on at all. It was quiet as a church mouse before...and with the **** off.
I like the **** that I bought and am still looking for a way to quiet it down...and believe me...I've tried thin rubber, electrical tape and it still buzzes away. Thinking about using silicone and filling it up, slapping it on and then if it rattles, I'll go get a chunk of hard wood and carve one!!
I like the **** that I bought and am still looking for a way to quiet it down...and believe me...I've tried thin rubber, electrical tape and it still buzzes away. Thinking about using silicone and filling it up, slapping it on and then if it rattles, I'll go get a chunk of hard wood and carve one!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
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From: Kabetogama, MN
Yeah, every time I engage the 4WD, I almost pop myself in the face with the **** popping off each time when I pull on it. I should see about replacing the shifter for something sporty. This may get rid of the rattle by taking off the short and simple bit of linkage to the transfer case.
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