Coffee grinder T-case

[takeitforgranite]

So I just got done with my lift - everything looked good, drove fine, etc. for about a week. Now, coming down the hill last night, when in neutral, I hear this awful grinding coming from the case. You can feel the vibrations if you have your hand on the t-case stick, and it only happens when there is no load on the trans/case - i.e. when in neutral, or when first letting off of the gas after accelerating. I have clearance all around my u-joints in the front...

I've had a slight drip from my t-case ever since I got it... drip has slowed of late. Is it possible that my case has just dripped dry, and no fluid is being cycled through the gears?

I'll pull the plug today and see... any other suggestions? And did i totally kill my case, or should i just fill it and drive? Still shifts fine from 2 to 4 to 4lo... Still transfers power...

 

[takeitforgranite]

One additional note - the vibration corresponds with vehicle speed (d/s velocity?), not RPMs.

 

[chappysfj40]

i had a noise when i did my v-8 sm420 swap, what it turned out to be was one of the big washers did not get installed right (MORE LIKE I FORGOT TO PUT IT ON ANYTHING, IT JUST FELL INSIDE). so at slow speeds there was no noise because the washer stayed in the oil, but as i picked up speed the washer got moved around and ground on the gears. Not sure if this is what is going on with yours but it happened to me. have fun and looking forward to see what you find out
cheers
chappy

 

[takeitforgranite]

hmmm... thanks, chappy, but I never took anything apart, or changed a thing... doesn't sound like a random grind (washer slipping around)... more like a constant vibration...

 

[chappysfj40]

awww ok well that helps trying to figure stuff out for sure. good luck, and i will be watching to see what u find out
cheers