4X4 transfer case bearing issues...

[silvertip67]

Hello Folks...I have a '67 CST K-20 Chevrolet that is pretty much stock...I purchased it with only 55K original miles about 4 years ago...its been a dream until yesterday...I think one of the bearings in the transfer case went bad...when in 2wd on the highway one went...I drove the ruck home in 4wd high w/o the hubs locked...

after looking at the reference manual ( the chevrolet edition from 1967) I realized that I was at best a top end mechanic...heads,intakes,even pistons and rod bearings with help are in my quiver...but this is a motor head deal!I can see what bearings might be at issue here...but removal and reinstallation are a whole 'nuther deal!

question #1...if I disconect the drive shaft(front) can I still drive if neccesary the truck safely??

question #2...does anyone have any insights here as to what I need to do...do I just need to get the transfer case removed and mike out the bearings needed...I doubt anyone would have them...

thanks a lot for any help here...it would be a heck of a lot easier at this point owning a C-20....but this machine walks the dog in 4wd...and is a super special part of my life...

it seems that somewhere along the line something changed...on the decal on the interior roof it notes that the 4wd high and 2wd are reversed...is it possible that I have a retro fit transfer case...or is this just a chevy glitch from way back...

I did a test to see to make sure if the drive shaft was engaged in what appeared 4wd...and it os opposite what the deaxl says...Ithere was a tape marker on the old decal to say so/...so I have always followed the revision tape note ...but now I am wondering what is up...I have driven this truck for about 30K miles w/ no issues whatsoever...

thanks so much for any insights...ted

[odog]

can you show a pic of the tcase. What position is 2h 4h N and 4lo. On a T221 2h should be toward the firewall, then 4h, then N, then 4lo pulled back toward the seat. This should be the tcase in a 67, but somebody may have swapped in a 205 later on.

[silvertip67]

on the sticker it states that 2wd high is all the way back...4wd high is a notch ahead then neutral...and then all forward is 4 wheel low...this is also whath the owners manual says...

in reality 4w high is all the way back and 2 w high is a notch in front of neutral ??

so I am not sure which bearing is actually out...it went bad driving in 2 wheel drive...and now I can only drive over 40mph in 4 wheel high (w hubs unlocked of course)

I can take a pic in daylight if necc...

thanks...t

[msgross]

You should be able to find another T-221 t-case pretty cheap... most people swap for the NP205 but that will cause a few other issues (driveshaft, adapter for tranny, hole in floor etc..)..

[silvertip67]

can you give me an idea of where to look...I was hoping to just replace the bearings...since I moved to the east coast there arent many old trucks around...I am moving back to SD next spring...but to get there I need to get this resolved...

[msgross]

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/3299713746.html

have these rebuilt... probably get them for half his price.

parts are easier to come by for the 205.

[silvertip67]

so if I understand you correctly , with the shift pattern I described I have the T-221...do you have a link for replacement parts for this...or do you recomend over fixing get a used one and rebuild that one?? didnt understand that part of your help......

evidently this bearing in the transfer case is the weakest link in the CST design....everything else appears bullet proof...it appears that the original owner switched the original TC for the T-221 ...and thats why he re did the labeling on the shift pattern...unfortunately he passed away so I cnt get any real facts on it...

thanks very much for your help...t

[msgross]

Send us a pic of the TC. The Rockwell 221 was original thru 1969.

People have them rebuilt, parts just aren't as common. If you want to stay original then you need to get it renuilt or find a spare. What Ieant by my link is that a lot of people swap to the NP 205. Parts are easier to come by and it's not as noisy on the road.
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[Redcap]

The T221 is a good case...if in working order. Parts are a bit scarce, however.

The NP205 is a much tougher transfer case and parts are far more readily available. Is your truck a 4speed?

[silvertip67]

the truck is a 4 speed( very low first gear)... the auxillary transfer case shift mode is this...all the way back 4 wheel high...one click forward is 2 wheel high, then neutral...and all the way forward is 4wheel low...I will take a pic in daylight...thanks for all the help...

this truck was put together in California from what I can tell from the paperwork...it was delivered in Denver June 7 1967...

I was hoping we could size the bad bearing(s) and replace them...but this might not be feasible...any suggestions are greatly appreciated...

I am actually so happy this happened now rather than on the road moving back out west( planned for the near future)...so I can get it fixed...having this go out somewhere in Kansas or Ohio would have been a real situation hauling my tool trailer and w/ the slide in camper on back!!!

thanks again...t

[Redcap]

Take a pic of the back of the transfer case. Want to make sure which one you have.

[odog]

If you have to, you can take the bearings to a bearing supplier and they can get you new ones. Problem with this is you have to pull the tcase and take the bearing out, but if you plan on fixing the tcase yourself anyway, this may be your best bet. If you get a chance, post a pic, it will help in identifiying the case.

[61K10]

monster transmissions and performance shows 2 rebuild kit

[argonaut]

I agree with what odog said. For the transmission and transfer cases I've rebuilt, I just take the bearings to my local bearing shop and they usually have what I need in stock, or can get what I need pretty quick.

Whatever the problem is, if it is internal to the t-case, you are going to have to pull it either way. Given that you have the issue in 2wd and not 4wd, I'm willing to bet it is something with the idler shaft/bearings/gear... but you won't know for sure until you open it up.

Unless you need the truck to be moveable while you fix it. Then buy a spare TC, fix it up and swap them.

[silvertip67]

thanks very much for the specific help...here is a pic of then case...this pic is from the rear right side...sorry about the grease...if this isnt good enough I can get a close in of the casting numbers...



based on the fact that the shift pattern for 2wh and 4wh is switched I think this case was switched out sometime in the past...so maybe this is the 205??

[mjensen]

It looks like a 205 to me, but I'm no expert. One source I would like to suggest though is rockauto.com if you determine it needs bearings and such.

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by silvertip67

thanks very much for the specific help...here is a pic of then case...this pic is from the rear right side...sorry about the grease...if this isnt good enough I can get a close in of the casting numbers...



based on the fact that the shift pattern for 2wh and 4wh is switched I think this case was switched out sometime in the past...so maybe this is the 205??

That is a NP205. See the little three bolt cover in between the rear output and front output bearing support? That is the tell-tale sign.

The good news is parts availability is pretty decent for the NP205 and they are a very tough transfer case.

[silvertip67]

Thanks very much for that info...I really appreciate it...now I can start figuring out what I need...I just found a rebuild kit for it...


thanks again...t

http://www.northwestfab.com/NP205-Fu...Kit-_p_48.html

[msgross]

depending on which input bearing you need, rockauto shows two kits for a 1970... one is $152 and the other is $225 that TC isn't original to you truck, or your cab isn't original to your frame...

my guess is the later, have you matched the frame VIN to your truck VIN? Looks on top of the drivers side frame rail, just beside the exhaust manifold. Should find some stamped numbers. Do you have power steering? Take a picture of your power steering box too...

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...875&cc=1290990
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...226&cc=1290990

[silvertip67]

I am second owner of this vehicle...only TC was swithched out about twenty years ago...

thanks for all the input...found the rebuild kit in stock...

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Try 4x4 heaven in Gloversville NY. Thats where i get a lot of my TC parts. Its close and i usually have it the next day.
(I am in no way affiliated with 4x4heaven nor do I have a vested interested in them.)

[silvertip67]

thanks very much OldChev4X4...I just spoke w/ Vince there and he has the kit and its 60 bucks less($142.00 vs. 199.99 out west and 229.00 and up other places)...and shipping is only 20$

I owe you a beer...t

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Glad it worked out for ya.
Tell em Randy from Pennsylvania with the 1969 Chevy race Blazer sent ya.

[Erl]

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