Replaced my transfer case isolator mount.
After installing the full set of Slee skids, which replaces the TC case cross member, I had noticed a substantial increase in the transfer case noise (whine) inside the cabin. Post install I also developed a new not so good noise- a metal on metal scrape that occurred under certain conditions- usually stopping, or certain bumps. It was coming from under the center console. I figured the TC whine was a simple result of being reflected by the solid steel belly plate kind of resonating upward under the console instead of downward to the pavement. But the deal breaker was the metal on metal squeak/scrape that I could not tolerate, so I was obliged to dig in and correct it.
After a thorough look around inside and below the truck, I removed the console and went for a drive, still couldn't isolate exactly where the squeak was emanating from. I then removed the TC shifter boot. I didn't see anything there except some crusty bolt heads, so while I was in there, I lubed what I could and resealed the boot on the console. After some more probing, I eventually isolated the squeak to a small spot on top of the transfer case under the P-N-D- 4321 gear shifter. After removing the intermediate skid, I stuck my iPhone up to the top of the TC and snapped a pic and some video. I found a small body seam sticking down under the gearshift access panel that was contacting the top of the TC case shift lever cover, and also noticed it had cut the small rubber boot on the end of the shift lever (Transfer Control Shift Lever Retainer).
I called Slee to better understand what had happened. They accurately designed the belly plate to conform to tolerances of a new truck (with fresh mounts) so my 12 year and 175k truck had a worn mount. They suggested two options, drop the TC down and try to flatten out the seam, or better replace the TC case mount (isolator). The seam is in an impossible spot, even dropping the TC down an inch or so its still nearly impossible to get a drift on that spot to knock it down. Also the seam is two pcs of sheet metal bonded and bent together, so with out really beating on it you cannot just roll the seam over and flat.
I ordered a new TC mount, removed the 95lb belly plate and installed the new mount. I then repaired the small cut in the rubber boot with a good smear of Black RTV, and slathered some marine grease on the tops of the crusty bolt heads to keep them from getting worse.
The end result is the metal on metal screech is gone, and the TC case whine that was resonating up through the console is also now gone. If you've installed a Slee or similar belly skid and have louder than before TC whine its probably due to TC case on body contact resonating through the cabin.
The last image is of the worn TC mount. Looks ok right, but it measured about 2mm different compared to the new one.
After installing the full set of Slee skids, which replaces the TC case cross member, I had noticed a substantial increase in the transfer case noise (whine) inside the cabin. Post install I also developed a new not so good noise- a metal on metal scrape that occurred under certain conditions- usually stopping, or certain bumps. It was coming from under the center console. I figured the TC whine was a simple result of being reflected by the solid steel belly plate kind of resonating upward under the console instead of downward to the pavement. But the deal breaker was the metal on metal squeak/scrape that I could not tolerate, so I was obliged to dig in and correct it.
After a thorough look around inside and below the truck, I removed the console and went for a drive, still couldn't isolate exactly where the squeak was emanating from. I then removed the TC shifter boot. I didn't see anything there except some crusty bolt heads, so while I was in there, I lubed what I could and resealed the boot on the console. After some more probing, I eventually isolated the squeak to a small spot on top of the transfer case under the P-N-D- 4321 gear shifter. After removing the intermediate skid, I stuck my iPhone up to the top of the TC and snapped a pic and some video. I found a small body seam sticking down under the gearshift access panel that was contacting the top of the TC case shift lever cover, and also noticed it had cut the small rubber boot on the end of the shift lever (Transfer Control Shift Lever Retainer).
I called Slee to better understand what had happened. They accurately designed the belly plate to conform to tolerances of a new truck (with fresh mounts) so my 12 year and 175k truck had a worn mount. They suggested two options, drop the TC down and try to flatten out the seam, or better replace the TC case mount (isolator). The seam is in an impossible spot, even dropping the TC down an inch or so its still nearly impossible to get a drift on that spot to knock it down. Also the seam is two pcs of sheet metal bonded and bent together, so with out really beating on it you cannot just roll the seam over and flat.
I ordered a new TC mount, removed the 95lb belly plate and installed the new mount. I then repaired the small cut in the rubber boot with a good smear of Black RTV, and slathered some marine grease on the tops of the crusty bolt heads to keep them from getting worse.
The end result is the metal on metal screech is gone, and the TC case whine that was resonating up through the console is also now gone. If you've installed a Slee or similar belly skid and have louder than before TC whine its probably due to TC case on body contact resonating through the cabin.
The last image is of the worn TC mount. Looks ok right, but it measured about 2mm different compared to the new one.
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![20170621_184642[1].jpg](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg' width='1920' height='1080' viewBox%3D'0 0 1920 1080'%2F%3E "20170621_184642[1].jpg")
