Is my transfer case gone?

[Felipe]

I have a 1980 GW, recently when I'm driving and go over a small bump or uneven pavment. I hear this noise similar to like if I was driving on the tracks of a bulldozer. I drove with my mechanic on saturday and very quickly he said... "Is the transfer case".
I will like for his diagnosis to be wrong.
Any ideas that may be someting else?

Thanks

Felipe

[porkchop]

How long does the sound last for after you go over the bump? It is just a rattle sound?

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I have never heard of a transfer case doing that. If it drives normal no strange vibratrions or noise comeing from the under seat area I doubt that is your problem. Since it happens after going over a bump I am inclined to think it could be: Balljoints, Tie rod ends, broken shock mounts, sway bar bushings to name a few. Get another opinion. :rolleyes:

[SpruceMoose]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>is my transfer case gone?<hr></blockquote>

probably not. get under there with some gunk and a hose. i bet you can find it lurking under there somewhere. [/smartass mode] ;)

sorry, couldnt resist.

anyway, it does sound like a suspension problem. a few months ago i noticed the lower shock mount bolt for the lh rear shock was loose. the bolt was worn down, and the holes in the mount were elongated. i found a new bolt and tightened it down on the spacer. good as new. sorta.

so... there are all sorts of things under there that can rattle. get under there and start shaking stuff. USE JACK STANDS!!!

sm.

[chrisnsarah]

Check for anything loose. It does sound like a loose mount, maybe the tranny mount, or maybe a missing body mount. I had a similar noise with a '67 gladiator and a '75 cherokee. Both had a missing body mount and the cherokee tranny mount was gone, causing some weird noises. Check for any driveshaft or axle slop. Teh hollow driveshaft is a great conducter of noise so an axle or wheel problenm can sound like it's coming from the transfer case.

[shredby4]

My friends Wrangler was doing the same thing. We checked the driveshafts and t-case and found nothing. He hit a big pot hole going through Charlotte, NC and his passenger side rear wheel passed him. His axle shaft was cracked but still holding until that last bump. The hub and everything passed him. Luckily nobody got hurt and no property other than his was damaged. I say check the driveshafts and chain tension first. Then take a good look at your axles.