Transfer Case?

[98-New 2door]

Hey guys, haven't posted in a while. Have a beautiful 98 2 door. Only has 45K miles on it. I have had it for 3 years and it had 14K miles when I bought it.

The latest is the transfer case. When I shift from R to D, it makes a terribly loud "ping" noise, followed by a sound from underneath that sounds like a loose chain coming off of something.
The shop says it's the transfer case, but it doesn't have any problems shifting during regular automatic driving. The fluid levels were all fine.
Just not convinced I need a new transfer case...any thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[07burb]

That's strange that they'd say it was the transfer case. Is it in 4wd when this issue happens?

 

[lesterl]

Perhaps the Tcase isnt totally disengaging from 2wd/4wd.....

 

[98-New 2door]

No it is not in 4WD when this happens. It happens shifting in and out of park and reverse and after I hear the loud ping is when I usually hear the chain sound. Happens about 25-30% of the time. Shop said it had nothing to do with 4WD...?

 

[lesterl]

Was thinking Tcase may have been in 2wd but not 100percent locked into 2wd but slightly out.....?????

 

[lwcools]

I would go straight after the U-joints. I've heard them make all kinds of strange noises, and the "Ping" noise when shifting is a virtual tell-tale sign. For what it's worth; my 96 was making the same ping and occasionally a little extra chatter when I shifted in and out of gear. I put new U-joints on the rear drive shaft and the problem went away. I later learned that the extra chatter "chain dropping" noise was in fact the needle bearings failing.

 

[98-New 2door]

Thanks, that makes the most sense to me. I took it to the stealer and they first said they didn't know what it was but that the U joints looked good. But today they called back and said they dop think it's the U-joints? Even tho that's what I think it is, they are going to have to convince me on what changed their mind before I spend $400. That's 2 out of 3 looks saying it's NOT the U-joints and one of those now saying it is...

 

[lesterl]

U joints are easy, I wouldnt pay a dealer to do them, They would get done at home, they are just a tad harder than changing your oil IMHO...

 

[lwcools]

You can check them yourself with a helper. One of you get in the truck and hold the break tightly, then shift into the gears like you would when you hear the noise. The other would watch under the truck to see if the shaft and yokes move independent of each other. If the ujoints are bad, the yoke coming off the transmission will move before the driveshaft. If the rear ujoint is bad, the drive shaft will move before the rear end yoke. If they're bad, and you don't feel comfortable doing the job, you can take drive shaft out with simple hand tools and deliver it to your trusted mechanic of choice. Most guys will put your new ujoints in for next to nothing.

 

[lwcools]

A key note to the above is making absolutely sure that whoever is watching the drive shaft is NOT under the vehicle for obvious safety reasons.