need help...pretty please!

[97splorer]

I have been hearing a slight binding noise coming from under my X for a month or so. I finally got sick of guessing where it was coming from, so in true Darwin Award style, I got under the truck and had my wife slowly move foward and back to locate the noise. It is coming from the transmission basically were the front and rear driveshafts both come out. I think that is the transfer case. Anyway, it is a slight binding noise but my truck runs fine and the fluid is a healthy red color. What the hell could the noise be from? Any help would be great.

thanks, Brian


Sorry for reposting ...had it in wrong forum.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Possibly loose U joints??? My tranny would shift really hard from P to D. Found where the Drive shaft connects to the tranny a loose bolt/bolts. I had to drop the drive shaft and tighten them (also used lock tight on them). Not sure if this is your prob but hopefully it helps. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Opera House]

Did you check transfer case fluid?

I bought my 97 and it had a funko feeling in the front end at low speeds. The transfer case had only about a pint of nasty fluid in it (should be 1 1/2 quarts) due to leaking front shaft seal. This caused 4WD clutch to bind sometimes. There was absolutely no sign of a leak. Fluid got so low it didn't leak anymore and the old oil had been washed away. 30K later everything is still fine.

 

[97splorer]

how do I check the fluid?

 

[Opera House]

On the back side of the transfer case

There is a lower drain plug and an upper fill plug. These both have sockets in them that a 3/8 extension fits into. It fills with standard Mercon till it drains out of the top fill plug. One of those squirt oil cans works good for filling it. I have one that you can remove the nozzel and it fills pretty quick. Looking at the old fluid might give some indication of the case condition.