Rattle from Transfer Case?

[flooredrunner]

Hi all, I am currently getting a rattle from the transfer case area. I have a 2000 SR5, manual trans, J shift. I was getting a rattle (marble in tin can noise but not as loud) with a bit of a squeak. I thought it may have been the double cardan joint so I greased the driveline. Squeak seems to be gone but the weird rattle is still there.

The rattle only happens when on throttle in gear, not in neutral.

I haven't seen many if any transfer cases fail like this so I'm just trying to get some opinions. Going to go home tonight and check the vibration damper and the cat as I hear the cat can break apart inside and cause this type of noise.

Also, if anyone knows which j shift tcases are compatible with the 4R ie. Tundra with 5VZ and j shift or taco with 5VZ and j shift.

Pic of my rig for attention

 

[spartacus]

Wouldn't hurt to check all the heat shields also.

 

[phattyduck]

(marble in tin can noise but not as loud)

You do know that is the EXACT description people use to describe pinging. What RPM? Does it go away above 3k RPM? It might be worth putting in a tank of 91 to see if it is engine ping related. The stock ECU does not listen to the knock sensor below 3k RPM...

-Charlie

 

[flooredrunner]

You do know that is the EXACT description people use to describe pinging. What RPM? Does it go away above 3k RPM? It might be worth putting in a tank of 91 to see if it is engine ping related. The stock ECU does not listen to the knock sensor below 3k RPM...

-Charlie

Definitely, this sounds similar to pinging but not exactly the same.

Worth a tank of 93 just to be safe.

 

[flooredrunner]

Wouldn't hurt to check all the heat shields also.

Going to do this as well

 

[Bad Luck]

I thought it may have been the double cardan joint so I greased the driveline. Squeak seems to be gone but the weird rattle is still there.

The rattle only happens when on throttle in gear, not in neutral.

I would remove the rear driveshaft and drive around in 4HI to see if the noise is still there. If the noise is gone then you know it's the rear driveshaft.

 

[jgue467]

...
check the vibration damper ...

Looseish bolts on damper caused a rattle on mine too... sounded like small rocks in a can...

 

[flooredrunner]

I would remove the rear driveshaft and drive around in 4HI to see if the noise is still there. If the noise is gone then you know it's the rear driveshaft.

Just saw the first pic of your build thread :wow:

Going to do this. I'm busy as hell and don't have the weekend open so it may need to wait until Monday or maybe tomorrow.

 

[flooredrunner]

Question, if I put the t case in neutral, then the transmission in say 3rd, will it spin the t case? Obviously wouldn’t be loaded up but maybe just enough to get the noise?

Had a buddy go for a ride and he seems to think it’s the rear end. Going to see if I can get a video

 

[Bad Luck]

Question, if I put the t case in neutral, then the transmission in say 3rd, will it spin the t case? Obviously wouldn’t be loaded up but maybe just enough to get the noise?

Had a buddy go for a ride and he seems to think it’s the rear end. Going to see if I can get a video

There wasn’t much left of the original transfer case lol I never did get the full story on that from the previous owner.

If you put the transfer case in neutral I think it separates the transfer case input from the output so you would only be spinning the transfer case input side. If you disconnect the rear driveshaft and put the transfer case in 2hi then you will be spinning input and output.

For anyone finding this in the future please remember to set your parking brake and chock your wheels if you remove the driveshaft when the vehicle is not on jack stands or a vehicle lift/hoist.

 

[flooredrunner]

Figured I would reply here with my findings with the hope it helps someone out in the future.

I took the driveshaft off and drove it in FWD. No noise. Had the front double cardan/ CV joint rebuilt by a local bearing/driveshaft shop, and the noise is gone.

Thanks to all who responded. :cheers:

 

[spartacus]

Good that you got it fixed and thanks for posting the resolution.

 

[Bad Luck]

Figured I would reply here with my findings with the hope it helps someone out in the future.

I took the driveshaft off and drove it in FWD. No noise. Had the front double cardan/ CV joint rebuilt by a local bearing/driveshaft shop, and the noise is gone.

Thanks to all who responded. :cheers:

I’m glad you got it figured out and thanks for posting your findings and fix!