Output shaft on tcase slides, dumps all fluid

[Elevate]

99, AX-15, np231, ~4.5" of lift in rear with no SYE. It has been this way for about 2 years. No issues until now.

As I was driving to work this week I smelled something funny that ended up being ATF from my tcase being sprayed on my Cat. I thought it was the rear output seal until I pulled the rear DS and found that my output shaft moves about 3/16 of an inch in and out. Keep in mind that I have not had any leaks or drips from the tcase...

Did I destroy a snap ring that was retaining the mainshaft?

I'm trying to get away with not removing and doing an overhaul on the tcase.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[cracker]

open it up and look. They are stupid easy to work on. And there is no avoiding it.

Odds are the bearing/seals are shot.

Go buy an SYE and put it in.

 

[Elevate]

First to correct my title, there was about 3/4 of a qt left in the case.

I'm guessing that your suggesting to pull the tcase out. Would a bad bearing or seal cause it to slide out the 1/4"?

Moving forward, I think I need to get a rebuild kit and probably pop for a SYE.

 

[Wayne Sihler]

First,I thought all 96&up cases were sealed..ie,no slip yoke into the case extension.(have only autos no 5spd,so no eyes on one)
2-Yes the snap ring holds the shaft in and some play is in the system.But not that much.
3 Time for bearings&seals