Transfer case shifter rattle

mhsneon · October 29, 2003

I have this rattle. It is comming from my transfercase shifter. I took off the shifter knob and it is still doing it. The part that the shifter goes into is what is rattling, If I hold it, the rattle stops. It seems like there is a lot of play in the center bolt. Anyone else have this problem? If so what did you do to fix it?

Picture of the shifter and cover off

Close up of the bolt

jelisfc · October 29, 2003

Been there done that. It's not there bud!!!!! I had the same problem. Drove me F'n nuts. All the way out to Montana and back over 2300 miles of that noise the radio can't even drown out. You want the cure???

Under the truck is a linkage from the shifter to the T-case. The ends are ball and socket and the one connecting to the shifter was loose enough to cause this annoying rattle. I temporarily cured it by taking a zip tie to lock it down. No more noise and it even stays on shifting to 4Hi. Not sure about 4Lo but zip ties are cheap. I didn't even bother to have the dealer fix it. I figure the new one will do it too.

If you need a picture let me know.

Larry · October 29, 2003

Hey, at least you don’t have a “Service 4wd” light that comes on all the time like the poor chaps that own the electronic shifted transfercases

Like jelisfc mentioned, make sure the control rod nut is tight.

You may also have to pop the control rod ends off the transfercase and shifter linkage and put a dab of grease on there. Worse case scenario, you may have to add an isolator to the control rod to absorb the harmonics by using a hose clamp to attach a chunk of rubber. A chunk of bicycle tire tube works perfect. Made this repair to my buddies truck.

mhsneon · October 30, 2003

Been there done that. It's not there bud!!!!! I had the same problem. Drove me F'n nuts. All the way out to Montana and back over 2300 miles of that noise the radio can't even drown out. You want the cure???

Under the truck is a linkage from the shifter to the T-case. The ends are ball and socket and the one connecting to the shifter was loose enough to cause this annoying rattle. I temporarily cured it by taking a zip tie to lock it down. No more noise and it even stays on shifting to 4Hi. Not sure about 4Lo but zip ties are cheap. I didn't even bother to have the dealer fix it. I figure the new one will do it too.

If you need a picture let me know.

I will have to look at that, thanks for the info. I will PM you about getting some pics.

1BADDMAX · November 7, 2003

I've had to spray some lube both inside the truck and under the truck on the linkage. This solved the problem for a few months then it comes back. I've thought about trying the zip tie trick.

lhassler · November 12, 2003

I had the problem too - took it to the dealer a couple of times. They couldn't tell me what was wrong, so I checked things out myself. Remember the old saying - If you want something done right...........................

The linkage between the shift lever and the transfer case is pretty cheesy, especially the ball joints. There is a small piece of foam at the joint which I surmised is supposed to put slight pressure on the joint to keep it quiet. I cut a piece off of an old ensolite backpacking pad, cut it like the factory foam, inserted it in the joint, and filled the whole thing with chassis grease (need a needle gun). Not a sound for several months. If the rattle/chatter returns, I will repeat the procedure - took about 5 minutes. Give it a try!

manytranny · November 13, 2003

I got the same rattle. Annoying. It seems to have gotten better on the highway.

When I goose it in 5th or 6th gear with the chip, everything makes noises. I can hear that ^ one pretty good, and my boost gauge starts to rattle (or something)

I guess all that torque is going to make something creek...

jelisfc · November 13, 2003

OK, I finally had time to slide under the truck. The two photos are of the Tcase shift lever and how I zip tied it. One is a side shot the other from below. The rear ball joint doesn't rattle on mine. I can shift into 4hi no problem. I haven't tried 4lo to see if the tie shears off.

For some reason I can't post pics. Here is the link to the folder. http://community.webshots.com/scripts/edit...lbumID=99841058

mhsneon · November 13, 2003

OK, I finally had time to slide under the truck. The two photos are of the Tcase shift lever and how I zip tied it. One is a side shot the other from below. The rear ball joint doesn't rattle on mine. I can shift into 4hi no problem. I haven't tried 4lo to see if the tie shears off.

For some reason I can't post pics. Here is the link to the folder. http://community.webshots.com/scripts/edit...lbumID=99841058

Pics no worky:(