Np263hd Transfer Case - Play In Rear Output Shaft

[mr2td]

Hey everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

 

I've been trying to track down a driveline vibration I've been having for a while. It occurs around freeway speed, most noticeable around 65 mph - 75 mph or so. It's a higher frequency vibration, like a rumble. It only happens under load. If I shift from D to N, it goes away, also when letting off the throttle. I replaced the U-joints in the rear prop shaft but it's still there. I also replaced the transmission mount which seemed a little soft and also had a stud broken off of it. This seems to have reduced the amplitude of the vibration but makes it more constant.

 

When I was poking around under the truck yesterday it seems like the slip yoke at the rear of the transfer case has quite a bit more play than I expected (I'd say a little more than 1/8" up and down) and you can hear a clicking noise inside the tailshaft housing when pushing the slip yoke upa nd down. I thought it might be the tailshaft bushing. I took the driveshaft out and took a look inside.

 

I couldn't tell much about the tailshaft bushing with the seal still in the way but I found that the whole output shaft had a bunch of play in it. Moving the output shaft up and down I could see the whole rear bearing moving up and down also. The play seems to be between the bearing and the case because I can see the bearing outer race moving.

 

Is this normal? It sure doesn't seem like it but I figured I'd ask first. I am planning on taking the case apart to put in the pump rub fix but if that bearing is moving around that much I'm afraid I might need the whole rear case half too if the area around that rear bearing is out of shape.

 

Thanks for any advice

Tony

[k2500hd]

I just posted a similar post. There is a vid also that I pulled from youtube. Look at my post and vid.

[tedleydo]

Did you ever figure this out? I just noticed the same problem on my 1997 2500. I pulled the driveshaft to replace a wobbly center bearing and u-joints and noticed the same thing you described with the tranny output shaft. Lots of play, at least 1/8" each way (up/down/left/right) but I don't know what the specs are. Just doesn't seem right though.