Ragnarok0451 Posted August 20, 2018 Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 So I need to replace my transfer case. I was td itd cost more to have it rebuilt than to just buy a new one and swap them out. What transfer case do I need and are there any out there that are stronger than what came in it from the factory? Right now I only have a cai and full exhaust but plan on adding more later down the road. Heads, cam and either nitrous or pro charger. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldofashow Posted August 20, 2018 Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 Ive gone both routes dealership transfer case $1400 and Ive rebuilt that Parts costing close to $600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragnarok0451 Posted August 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 Well I'm in a position where I have to pay someone to do it either way, so is the factory transfer case just the best way to go? Also mine is an 03, I've seen np149 and nvg149, does it matter which one I get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXGM Posted August 20, 2018 Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 Im surprised its usually always cheaper to rebuild vs replace. Did you totally gernade your t-case? If you go new its actually rebuilt also as they dont make new ones anymore. If I recall the GM transfer case have a 3yr warranty and have a $200 rebate. If you rebuild locally you can buy parts and upgrade the weak spots of the case. The thing they are most nortorious for is wearing a pin hole in case. I think In the aftermarket they make a kit to eleminate the issue. I have a RWD truck as I didnt want to have to deal with all the t-case issues..... lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldofashow Posted August 20, 2018 Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 (edited) yeah the dealership transfer case was rebuilt not new wish they told me that I wouldve done the rebuild first cause I was expecting to get a new one and these are pretty easy to swap out in the driveway with a couple of ramps drain it and remove the Driveshafts and its only 6 bolts holding it on definitely worth trying if youre trying to save money. When I went through it again I also upgraded to a hd rear case along with a MA pump plate had driveshaft problems that caused the rear bushing and bearings to wear out enough to allow the speed sensor to rub the shaft. Edited August 20, 2018 by Aldofashow (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragnarok0451 Posted August 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Im surprised its usually always cheaper to rebuild vs replace. Did you totally gernade your t-case? If you go new its actually rebuilt also as they dont make new ones anymore. If I recall the GM transfer case have a 3yr warranty and have a $200 rebate. If you rebuild locally you can buy parts and upgrade the weak spots of the case. The thing they are most nortorious for is wearing a pin hole in case. I think In the aftermarket they make a kit to eleminate the issue. I have a RWD truck as I didnt want to have to deal with all the t-case issues..... lol. No I'm actually still driving it lol, its started whining and is progressively getting louder. I took it to the shop and let them look at it and he said itd cost more parts and labor to rebuild it than it would to just replace it. I've never had anything awd, I came from f bodies so I know very little about these things. Honestly the cost isnt my biggest concern, I just want to get it right and have something that can handle some more power Also any links you guys can find on rebuild kits or parts to beef it up would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickler88 Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 My first question is are you sure it's you t-case? The front diff on these things can whine as well. But if it is your t-case, like Aldofashow said parts are around 600 however you should throw in a sonnax case saver kit. Technical wise it's not that bad to do if you have common shop tools and a good stiff pair of lock ring pliers. I used a MAC tools pair and they worked great. Otherwise getting the lock ring out can piss you off. These cases are chain driven so the whining kinda makes me wonder. There is a test you can do to check the fluid coupler in it. It is online and in this site. But if you pull the driveshafts and check play and all that, if it seems ok do the coupler test. Have you checked the fluid? What does it look like? Just a few things to consider. They hold up pretty good normally. But anything is possible in a mechanical world. I did mine at 120k and all it needed was bushings, chains, replaced the pump anyway, case saver kit and a set of chain gears and bearings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragnarok0451 Posted August 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 My first question is are you sure it's you t-case? The front diff on these things can whine as well. But if it is your t-case, like Aldofashow said parts are around 600 however you should throw in a sonnax case saver kit. Technical wise it's not that bad to do if you have common shop tools and a good stiff pair of lock ring pliers. I used a MAC tools pair and they worked great. Otherwise getting the lock ring out can piss you off. These cases are chain driven so the whining kinda makes me wonder. There is a test you can do to check the fluid coupler in it. It is online and in this site. But if you pull the driveshafts and check play and all that, if it seems ok do the coupler test. Have you checked the fluid? What does it look like? Just a few things to consider. They hold up pretty good normally. But anything is possible in a mechanical world. I did mine at 120k and all it needed was bushings, chains, replaced the pump anyway, case saver kit and a set of chain gears and bearings. Yeah, it's the t case, I already had the front diff rebuilt, fluid looks good in it, I changed it as soon as I bought the truck. Coincidentally my truck has about 125k on it as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crawlinss Posted September 12, 2018 Report Share Posted September 12, 2018 so which transfer case is in the 03 ss?? turns out my issue wasnt the axle, the transfer case output bearing/bushing has had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughty08 Posted September 14, 2018 Report Share Posted September 14, 2018 Np149 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldofashow Posted September 14, 2018 Report Share Posted September 14, 2018 I happen to have some parts for a transfer case rebuild that showed up 2 months late after the second set of Parts I ordered showed on time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickler88 Posted November 3, 2018 Report Share Posted November 3, 2018 it's funny after adding a reply to an earlier post I'd figure I would post my problem. Earlier in this post I went through my case. Then I had a vibration at around 67. Turned out to be my slip yoke u joint. Which vibrated to the point of wearing out the bushing in the rear of the transfer case. Which down the line started putting stress on the main output shaft bearing, to the point where it wallowed out the casing. My output shaft on the transfer case had over 1/4 inch, so I tried the aluminum rear case. Did not line up right and I was shaking my head saying this doesn't feel right. So I found the original magnesium case. It came with the bushing and internal roller bearing installed. Popped the seals in, smashed it together and torqued the bolts and after around town runs and then a couple 137 mph runs verified by gps and a stalker dsr radar system running, it is as smooth as glass.... it is good. Just dropped the fluid again to check, and put new in. And I use GM auto trak ll fluid. I run my truck hard, it was good to see what worn out. Now that it's back up I have no problem punching it on the turnpike to get to top speed and have a worry about something failing. These trucks are badass when things are right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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