Transfer Case Noises?

Tiny
CHARLIE1229
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 69,000 MILES
I was having a problem before that when I turned it sounded like something was rubbing, although I know that my tire was not rubbing. It suddenly just stopped and I had no problems for awhile. It was not until recently when I put it in 4 wheel drive it started again. When I take it out of 4 wheel drive it stops. It feels like it is rubbing and does not want to turn. I do not here any grinding noises. Any ideas what the problem could be?
Friday, April 29th, 2016 AT 4:41 AM

45 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the axle shafts there may be a u joint going bad or something may have gotten caught in it.
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Friday, April 29th, 2016 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
CHARLIE1229
  • MEMBER
  • 46 POSTS
Would it be a joint if it only happens in 4wd? I thought it had something to do with the front differential.
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,478 POSTS
Hey Charlie,

Yes it doe sounds like the spider gears have gone bad not allowing the wheel to rotate independently of one another.

Here is what they look like, check for metal in the gear oil when you take in apart.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/rear-axle-seal-replacement

check it our and let me know

Best, Ken
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
Chevy 4 wheel drive makes a popping noise
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
Check your u-joints on your front drive line, it's usually the one on the transfer case
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
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  • 7 POSTS
I checked them and they all feel snug how would I know if they where bad
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I took out my front axels on both sides and they looked fine as well no big metal chuncks came out of the diff just some small metal shavings on the drain plug
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
Boy you did a lot of work, did you try driving the truck without the front driveline in? Did you put the axles back in? It sounds like an axle problem to me, is the noise worse when you are turning? Or do you just hear it all the time going down the road?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Its bad when I turn and bad driving straight when I loose grip and give it gas thats when it starts making the popping noise. I did not try driving the truck with out the front drive line but in two wheel drive it dosent make the noise. I put the axel's back in and there was no wear on the teeth.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
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CV axles can be deceiving, try raising the truck and hold the wheel with one hand and the axle with the other and see if you have any play forward and backwards and also in and out, raised up the front on Jack stands and the rear on Jack stands put it in four-wheel drive and be very careful while the tires are moving and see if you can hear the noise.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I raised the front and back on jack stands and still can hear the noise it is just as bad. The cv axels have a little play in and out but not much. And no play forward or backwards.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
D64CHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 8 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
I have a 2500 HD that has the push button 4wd control. About every 100-200 miles when slowing 45-35mph there is a loud grinding noise and it will not quit until I come to a complete stop. When I take off again everything is fine.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Does this only happen in 4wd? Can you tell aprox where the sound is coming from?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I even replaced a hub bearing in the process on the passenger side put in a new 4 wheel drive actuator.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
D64CHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It only happens in 2-wheel drive and sounds like its coming from the transfercase area. I have never had it happen in 4-wheel drive and the lights on the 4wd controls do not not blink. The service lights do not come on either.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
If you heard the noise when you had it up on Jack stands, where was the noise coming from? Is that why you pulled the front axles? It sounds like front axles to me, but I may be wrong. Unless it's the differential? Did you check that while it was off the ground?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
I would start by checking the output bearing from the transfer case (rear). With no tension on the drive shaft, see if there is any play where the yoke goes into the transfer case.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCHELL1983
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It sounded like the axels but they looked fine and thats why I pulled them. I didednt take the differential apart not sure how to and worried about it falling apart and not being able to put it back togeather. I drained the fluid and I think if the ring and pinion where bad bigger piecies of metal would of came out but it was only fine shavings on the drain plug. I think I am going to replace the u-joint they are cheap and easy and one less thing to ellimanate if it still makes the noise after replacing them.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
D64CHEVY
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  • 3 POSTS
It has roughly an 1/8" of play side to side movement and moist. That is definetly a problem. Thank you! Will I have to replace the tailshaft?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
Ok, sorry I couldn't help much, its hard to fix things when you can see, you did not hear, ect.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)

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