Replacing Transfer Case Output Shaft Oil Seals, a How-To for DIY'ers

30mm Nut Job

Thanks for the write up...was great!
Only had one problem....that 30mm nut was on with more than 87 ft lbs.
Took a 1/2 in breaker bar with heat and a floor jack to get it to listen....still took stepping on runners to get it to crack loose. Rest was a breeze!
 
You're right, if it's the first time it's been touched, that nut is really on there.

I'm glad the write-up helped you out, and thanks for posting to say so.
 
I missed this the first time around. Very well-done and it now has a place in my T4RHOWTO folder of bookmarks.
 
Nicely done BigFish, if I have to dig into this project I know where to look for information. thanks for taking the time to do this
 
Hoorah BigFish

Excellent write up BigFish, I just noticed my leak last night. I was about to have my son take care of this at the shop. However, after reading your detailed write up, you've inspired me to wrench this one myself.

Regards ............ 8sm
 
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DONE...........Completed in just over an hour.

Having the instructions, the parts and tool list simplified the task. Once I crawled under to start, everything was layed out within reach for an effortless repair. Thanks again BFAD

Regards ............. 8sm
 
Gr8 write up. Was very helpful when I replaced my seal today.
One thing I might add...if the slide yoke doesn't want to slide back on to the bolts, attach the zerk and pump it up with a grease gun to extend the slide.
 
BigFishAllDay – great write-up! Thank you for the detailed use of proper terminology. Your description of the job and the crisp pictures provided me with the confidence to take on my TC output shaft oil seal replacement.

I found that even after I completely un-staked the stake nut, some metal from the nut remained engaged with the threads of the output shaft. I don’t have a compressor large enough to push an impact wrench so I used a breaker bar and 2-ton jack to break finally break the stake nut loose from the output shaft. The remainder of the job was quick and easy in comparison.
 
Thanks for the write up, just replaced my front seal yesterday. I believe the cause of failure might have been a tiny rock that I found on the inside of the metal dust shield.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the transfer case has a separate breather that can be extended or cleaned out? I couldn't find one after searching around. Could it be that the transfer case and the transmission have a shared breather? I know there is a breather on the top of the transmission, accessible when you pull out the interior trim pieces to access the shifter assembly.
 
Thanks very much! Just finished this job tonight, this thread has been a huge help. Now I can relax :beer:
 
I missed this the first time around. Very well-done and it now has a place in my T4RHOWTO folder of bookmarks.

Nicely done BigFish, if I have to dig into this project I know where to look for information. thanks for taking the time to do this

Thanks Durk & Ameining! I'm glad you guys found the writeup useful.

Excellent write up BigFish, I just noticed my leak last night. I was about to have my son take care of this at the shop. However, after reading your detailed write up, you've inspired me to wrench this one myself.

DONE...........Completed in just over an hour.

Having the instructions, the parts and tool list simplified the task. Once I crawled under to start, everything was layed out within reach for an effortless repair. Thanks again BFAD

Regards ............. 8sm

8sm, very cool man. Good job getting it knocked out, in only an hour no less... that's fast. I think this job took me 3-4 hours my first time around, but I was taking pictures and figuring out how to do it as I went. I'm glad I convinced you to get your hands dirty, and glad I could save you some time.

Gr8 write up. Was very helpful when I replaced my seal today. One thing I might add...if the slide yoke doesn't want to slide back on to the bolts, attach the zerk and pump it up with a grease gun to extend the slide.

Right on. Thanks for the compliments and glad I could help. Also, thanks for the tip/feedback.

BigFishAllDay – great write-up! Thank you for the detailed use of proper terminology. Your description of the job and the crisp pictures provided me with the confidence to take on my TC output shaft oil seal replacement.

I found that even after I completely un-staked the stake nut, some metal from the nut remained engaged with the threads of the output shaft. I don’t have a compressor large enough to push an impact wrench so I used a breaker bar and 2-ton jack to break finally break the stake nut loose from the output shaft. The remainder of the job was quick and easy in comparison.

It's really cool to hear feedback like this. I do these writeups to help enable others to DIY and save some $$$, so it's nice to hear that mission was accomplished.

The same thing happened to me (metal engaged with the threads) when I replaced the rear seal on my '97. A small piece of metal from the nut got caught up in the threads and chewed them up a bit. I had to use a breaker bar to get the nut off, and then cleaned up the threads with a Dremel.

Thanks for the write up, just replaced my front seal yesterday. I believe the cause of failure might have been a tiny rock that I found on the inside of the metal dust shield.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the transfer case has a separate breather that can be extended or cleaned out? I couldn't find one after searching around. Could it be that the transfer case and the transmission have a shared breather? I know there is a breather on the top of the transmission, accessible when you pull out the interior trim pieces to access the shifter assembly.

You're welcome. The T-case does have a separate breather IIRC. It's located on top of the case and is somewhat difficult to reach. I think you would also be able to see the t-case breather if you removed your shifter trim from the top side.

sub'd for later use.. looks like this job might be in my near future.

When the time comes, I hope the writeup is helpful to you.

Thanks very much! Just finished this job tonight, this thread has been a huge help. Now I can relax :beer:

Good job on doing it yourself, JMunn55! Have a :beer: for me, too!
 
Thank you so much for your post. I've been turning a blind eye to my transfer case leak for a few years until it left a puddle on the garage floor one day. I followed your post step by step and got it done! You weren't kidding about that staked nut! The rear seal is next, but considering the subzero temps here in northern MN and that I don't have a heated garage, I'll wait till spring for that one.
Thanks again!
 
Dude, I cannot believe the traffic that these write-ups get. I have done everything possible, short of paying for additional bandwidth, to keep these things live 100% of the time.

Last year, I created a 3rd photobucket account that is entirely separate from all of my other photos (builds, trip reports, etc). The only pics on that account are the ones found in these write-ups, and I resized all of them to 600x800 so that each one uses the least amount of bandwidth when viewed, while displaying at a useable resolution.

There's not much else I can do. I wish I could setup a system where each person had to paypal $0.10 into an account each time they viewed one of my write-ups for the first time. That would be plenty to pay for an unlimited bandwidth account through photobucket.
 
Dude, I cannot believe the traffic that these write-ups get. I have done everything possible, short of paying for additional bandwidth, to keep these things live 100% of the time.

Last year, I created a 3rd photobucket account that is entirely separate from all of my other photos (builds, trip reports, etc). The only pics on that account are the ones found in these write-ups, and I resized all of them to 600x800 so that each one uses the least amount of bandwidth when viewed, while displaying at a useable resolution.

There's not much else I can do. I wish I could setup a system where each person had to paypal $0.10 into an account each time they viewed one of my write-ups for the first time. That would be plenty to pay for an unlimited bandwidth account through photobucket.

That's a shame. Does this site max you out if you attach the photos rather than link them? I've been doing a lot of attachments in my posts lately instead of links as many of my older links have died and it works well. I just don't know if I will run out of 'space.'

EDIT: In case anyone wants the answer, I did run out of space after a while. I had to delete some old ones, and some I was able to double up. Back to using the one working link for FSM stuff--I hope it sticks around.
 
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Why not start a kickstarter? I know I would kick in some $$ to bring the photos back to your extremely helpful write-ups.
 
Prop shaft retraction??

Great write up and photo's. I started this job tonight but was soon halted by the propeller shaft. All four nuts removed okay, grease nipple removed but I cannot for the the life of me get to to retract so I can move it out the way. I'm thinking of buying a small strop and feed it through the aft end and lever it of the crossmember. Seems a but unnecessary but it's about all I can think of. Did the prop shaft compress easily for you? Thanks.
 

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