Bad Transfer Case - Replace Stock or Upgrade

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GreatOdin'sRaven

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Las Vegas, NV

• Sep 29, 2015

• #1

Hello all,

My first post, but I've been lurking about, reading your posts for a few years here and there like a creepy neighbor.

I have a 95 XJ with stock NP231 Transfer case that has gone bad (horrible noise when front drive shaft is rotated)

My question is: Should I replace the Transfer case with another stock NP231 found in a Junk Yard?
-OR-
Upgrade with something new?

What would the reasoning be behind your answer (what are the pro's and cons).

Possible Useful info: It's got a 2 inch lift, rarely is off pavement.

Any opinion is welcomed and appreciated, thanks!

-SL

 

D

DieselSJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

QC AZ

• Sep 29, 2015

• #2

GreatOdin'sRaven said:

Possible Useful info: It's got a 2 inch lift, rarely is off pavement.

Click to expand...

Then you really don't need anything more than a stock one.

Are you sure it is the transfer case? And not bad joints on the driveshaft? Or front pinion bearing?

 

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GreatOdin'sRaven

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Las Vegas, NV

• Sep 29, 2015

• #3

DieselSJ said:

Are you sure it is the transfer case? And not bad joints on the driveshaft? Or front pinion bearing?

Click to expand...

I am not sure. I guess I can do some troubleshooting and remove the front drive shaft and drive it around. If it still makes that noise I would guess it's still coming from the Xfer case.

I can only hear it at low speeds and the sound accelerates as I speed up.

 

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Flyfisher

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Billings, Montana

• Oct 1, 2015

• #4

"I am not sure. I guess I can do some troubleshooting and remove the front drive shaft and drive it around. If it still makes that noise I would guess it's still coming from the Xfer case."

Not True! If you remove the front drive shaft and it still makes noise when in 2-wheel drive, it's in the front axle somewhere. Front output on transfer case doesn't turn when in 2WD with front driveshaft disconnected.

 

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paddlernate

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Portland, OR

• Oct 2, 2015

• #5

But he could drive it around in 4WD and see if it replicates .C'mon!

 

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GreatOdin'sRaven

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Las Vegas, NV

• Oct 3, 2015

• #6

Okay, got underneath it and rotated the front drive shaft and inside the transfer case is a loud clunk. Doesn't make the same sound when I rotate the rear drive shaft. Looks like the NP231 is gonna get replaced. Now I just need to find a write up for that.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

blondejoncherokee

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Member

Location

sacramento

• Oct 7, 2015

• #7

rebuild it or grab a junkyard case.

 

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mtbxj87

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Bend, OR

• Oct 7, 2015

• #8

what does the fluid look like? is the shift linkage adjusted right?