Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

merde! :rant:

Damn things are expensive. Wonder if I can find a good one in the junk yard... time to start looking for awd astros and bravada's again.
 

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

Personally I think your best bet is to replace the viscous coupler. The VC being locked is become more and more of a common problem. Even if you find a good working used one, how long before it goes out? At 20+ years old how many miles is it going to have on it?
 

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

Thats what I'm thinking as well. Is there anywhere that sells them for less than $490? :?
 

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

They dont list our t-case on their site. Guess I'll email them and see what they can get.


I'm still very curious what did mine in. I have a sneak suspicion a previous owner drove it around for a while with no front prop shaft... cause different tires wouldn't cause this kind of failure would it? Typhoon had 2 different sets of tires. The fronts where one brand and very worn while the backs were another brand and brand new. They were all the same 245/50r16 size so i didnt think much of it. But when my buddy put my new set of four matching tires on he mentioned that one reason my t-case might have failed was because of the vast difference in tread and wear rates between axles. Just food for thought.
 

"Nickel"

S-Series Syco
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

They dont list our t-case on their site. Guess I'll email them and see what they can get.


I'm still very curious what did mine in. I have a sneak suspicion a previous owner drove it around for a while with no front prop shaft... cause different tires wouldn't cause this kind of failure would it? Typhoon had 2 different sets of tires. The fronts where one brand and very worn while the backs were another brand and brand new. They were all the same 245/50r16 size so i didnt think much of it. But when my buddy put my new set of four matching tires on he mentioned that one reason my t-case might have failed was because of the vast difference in tread and wear rates between axles. Just food for thought.

Mismatched tires will kill a t-case.
Here's a link for our VC > http://cobratransmission.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_2080&products_id=55005039
 

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC


AH! Thank you! :tup:

Mismatched tires will kill a t-case.

I agree. But would the difference in age and tread cause that big of an issue?


I'm going to drive it this weekend and see if it still hops around. There is a part of me that wants to believe that now that it has matching tires, new non broken half shafts, and a new propshaft that it wont show the previous signs of a stuck tcase. One can only wish right? :roll:
 

"Nickel"

S-Series Syco
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

AH! Thank you! :tup:



I agree. But would the difference in age and tread cause that big of an issue? YES.

I'm going to drive it this weekend and see if it still hops around. ( IT WILL) There is a part of me that wants to believe that now that it has matching tires, new non broken half shafts, and a new propshaft that it wont show the previous signs of a stuck tcase. One can only wish right? :roll:

You can wish.... wont change the reality that your t-case is Fu****. Driving it after adding new half shafts and prop shaft only risks breaking them...:doh: Do yourself a favor get the t-case rebuilt.
 

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

You can wish.... wont change the reality that your t-case is Fu****. Driving it after adding new half shafts and prop shaft only risks breaking them...:doh: Do yourself a favor get the t-case rebuilt.

Atomic.... seriously.... You're only going to repeat the experience. Your TC is trashed.

Thread will be split soon...
 

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

Talked to cobra and they gave me a list of what I should get for the rebuild:

Bearing kit: http://cobratransmission.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_2080&products_id=55005001

Front bushing: http://cobratransmission.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_2080&products_id=55005020

Tail housing bushing: http://cobratransmission.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_2080&products_id=55005021

2nd tail bushing: http://cobratransmission.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_2080&products_id=55005022

The VC unit: http://cobratransmission.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_2080&products_id=55005039


So about $360 for everything. That's not too bad. But is that everything I need? Looks like the first one has a number of seals and gaskets, but I feel like there's something missing? They said there's a chance i'd need a new chain but I wouldn't know until I cracked it open. Considering its working great in 50/50 mode :roll: i'd think the chain is fine.

Watched a few video's online about rebuilding transfer cases and read a few very old threads on here and I have the link to the album where one was completely torn down. I'm feeling kinda confident I can rebuild it...


Edit: also not thinking of a full on lets strip it down to basic parts kind of rebuild. Just pull it apart far enough to replace the VC unit and all of the seals and gaskets related. Its not leaking atm, so its not that busted up. :/
 

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

I took mine apart to swap input shafts. I cleaned out all the crap in there and then put it back together. The crap in there was from the TC being sealed using some orange RTV. I dont recall any gaskets. The viscous unit is an easy swap. I think you might be overcomplicating it.

There is a thread in drivetrain tech, stickied I believe showing complete disassembly. Pretty easy. Have you done the test that DaveP developed to confirm it is trashed, just for completion?
 

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

I took mine apart to swap input shafts. I cleaned out all the crap in there and then put it back together. The crap in there was from the TC being sealed using some orange RTV. I dont recall any gaskets. The viscous unit is an easy swap. I think you might be overcomplicating it.

There is a thread in drivetrain tech, stickied I believe showing complete disassembly. Pretty easy. Have you done the test that DaveP developed to confirm it is trashed, just for completion?

I probably am over complicating it. :oops: I worry too much sometimes.

And atm I can't find DaveP's post that has the test guide in it. :(
 

mattw

Active member
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

I'd probably take it apart and examine those other bushings, seals, and bearings.. If they all look/feel OK I'd just leave them be.. I replaced just the input shaft in mine.. They are so easy to get out that its no big deal if you need to drop it to replace something else later down the road..
 

atomicmecha

I hate rust
Re: Does driving without propshaft destroy t-case/VC

Curious, if the front prop shaft is removed, would this cause higher RPM's at cruising speeds?
 
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