Grenaded Transfer Case....Why?

[Bulletbob]

Hey everyone, New to the forum and to Tahoe's. We have a 1999 2-door 4x4 with a 6 inch long arm lift and 35" tires. The t-case has the auto 4wd so I'm assuming the np234. The Transfer case exploded today. see pic....



Going to swap it out ourselves. While I'm under there, should I be looking for anything in particular that may have caused this? Or, is it just a case of "shit happens"?

When it happened, there were vibrations, then a pop and then smoke from the fluid hitting the exhaust all in a time frame of minutes/seconds at highway speeds.

thanks in advance.

 

[livingez_123]

Thats nasty. I would be looking into the lift kit myself. What kind of driveline angles are you running?

 

[SunlitComet]

246 actually. and is it just that hole. because if unless the case halves have separated from the outputs i there is more to it then that like low fluid damage or overloading from bad gearing.

 

[Bulletbob]

Thats nasty. I would be looking into the lift kit myself. What kind of driveline angles are you running?

Don't know the angles. we bought the rig with the lift installed. it does have a drop kit on the T-case though. I assume to help with the angles. I'm an old Jeep guy and that's what we would do if we were broke and couldnt afford a double cardan.

to measure it, i would take the angle off of the output shaft. correct?

What's a good range to have?

thanks

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 AM ----------

246 actually. and is it just that hole. because if unless the case halves have separated from the outputs i there is more to it then that like low fluid damage or overloading from bad gearing.

oops, fat fingered it. np 246.

Don't know the extent of the damage inside as its still in the truck. it doesn't appear to be separated just a hole blown in it. frankly, it looks like the chain broke and flapped against the case and blew the hole.

trying to find one and do the swap tomorrow.

 

[xanatost]

There is a company out there that offers a beefier transfer case and all you do is switch over your parts to the new case. I been trying to find the site but I am having no luck

Found it http://www.transfercases.com/replacement.case.shell.htm

 

[SunlitComet]

well it looks like the chain appears to be in place but if you see damage on the links then something is broken inside be it the chain or other parts.

---------- Post added at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 AM ----------

what ever happens remember to ensure the vent line hose it free of debris.