Transfer case squeal?

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Jackass63

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I’m desperate to find this problem. When I bought this 2000 Tahoe lt with 4x4 it was hot to trot. Three months in and I had to drop a new transmission in. 4l60s usually last til 150,000 and I got 250,000 so that’s a plus. I got a badass rebuild that’s good for towing. Then after a while I notice a squeal coming form(I think it is coming from) the transfer case. It only comes when I first start moving. Goes away and then comes back every other trip. Wtf is it? I’m not afraid to fix it myself but don’t know what it is. Plus I’m new to this forum and I’m just searching for an answer. Pleas help.
 

PNWYukon

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If you had to rebuild the transmission, then you should have the transfer case rebuilt too. Whatever happened to the tranny affects the transfer case.
 

Larryjb

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If you had to rebuild the transmission, then you should have the transfer case rebuilt too. Whatever happened to the tranny affects the transfer case.

Yes and no. The only thing physically related between the two is the output shaft of the transmission. They do not share fluid. If they do, you have a seal leak which does happen. Other than that, the operation of the transfer case may depend on a whole host of other things such as transmission gear selected, engine parameters, vehicle speed, front propeller shaft/rear propeller shaft speeds etc etc etc.

I'd say the transfer case fluid should have been drained, refilled, and checked for proper operation, but if the adapter was dry inside as the transfer case was removed, there is no danger of transmission fluid having infiltrated the transfer case. What Jack should have done is have the TC pump modification done to prevent case wear. But, given that a transfer case rebuild could very well have added a good thousand to the repair cost, I can understand why Jack did not yet have the TC rebuilt.

Jack, I would immediately check the fluid level in your transfer case, and look for any leaks from the case. You can search this forum to see where the wear points are in the TC so you know what to look for.
 

OR VietVet

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How are you coming to the conclusion it is from the transfer case? Can you jack up all wheels and set on jack stands and duplicate the noise in the air? Use a mechanic's stethoscope to pin point the noise. Does it make a difference how you accel from a stop? Light accel and no noise and hard accel and can hear the noise, or vice versa?
 

Doubeleive

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it's your serpentine belt slipping, to verify-when the engine is cool, remove the serpentine belt, start it up and gun it down the street a hair, you won't hurt anything and the noise should be gone.
 

Fless

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Then after a while I notice a squeal coming form(I think it is coming from) the transfer case. It only comes when I first start moving. Goes away and then comes back every other trip.

There's a clue there that it's in the drivetrain somewhere. Does it really squeal with an always-on higher pitched noise? Or does it squeak-squeak-squeak?

Can you tell if it mimics the engine rpms? Or the wheel speed?
 

Tom Joad

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If you have a 4L60E, go check between the groove of the rear case, near the front if you have holes into the case.
When I've been alerted on this TC issues, I checked and only one drop of Dexron3 dropped on the floor.
You may have the common Pump wearing issue.
 

Fless

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It musta blew up 'cause the OP hasn't been here in 6 weeks. Probably awaiting the tow.... or found some earplugs.
 

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