Same freaking sound after transfer case rebuild

[curt93t/t]

So, last summer I decided to send my transfer case to Ninja for a teardown and see if some bearings were causing the sound. Chris said some bearings were bad and did a rebuild. Between having to put everything back together, going overseas, and other issues with the car I finally took it out for a spin. Yup, you guessed it, same freaking sound! Nothing has changed. So the transfer case is still bad (don't think so), it's the transmission (would think the plug would have something on it, but didn't when I drained it for TC removal), or the halfshaft bearing (the bearing where the half shaft mates and bracket bolts to engine block. Not sure if you can really hear it, but tried recording.

http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/st...sound.mp4.html

[donniekak]

Get the car on a lift, or 4 really good jack stands and find where it's come from exactly with a stethoscope.

[curt93t/t]

Already did it. This started when I was in New Mexico and talked the hobby shop into letting me put it on a lift. Had the guy working take it up to 40 and nothing, wondering if it's a load thing. Trailered it this time last year and let it sit for 6 months and decided to do the rebuild.

[Erron Spalsbury]

You, my friend, need a Steelman Chassis ear.
One of the greatest tools I've ever owned. (get the wireless one)

[curt93t/t]

So, the noise starts at 35mph and does not speed up with more acceleration. It does get a little louder, but it doesn't keep on getting louder if you know what I mean. I took it out of gear and it doesn't change. I shut the engine off and still the same. Here's the video with the engine off.

http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/st...94344.mp4.html

[RealMcCoy]

You, my friend, need a Steelman Chassis ear.
One of the greatest tools I've ever owned. (get the wireless one)

Yep... One of the best tools I donated to the local tweeker feeding a habit fund.

Thought I had a carrier bearing issue, ziptie fixed, installed 2pc driveline, nope. Thought rear diff, nope. Ended up being driver side wheel bearing...

I'll bet money you just diagnosed his noise....

Now he just needs to figure out which one it is....

Get it up in the air with all four wheels spinning, walk around and lightly touch each spring. There's a very good chance you'll be able to feel the offender amplifying the roughness in the spring.

Most of the time a T/case or rear diff will change on/off throttle. A front wheel bearing will often change the noise when thrown into a turn.

Another possibility that is often overlooked and can really screw with people, is the halfshaft bearing on the left axle, bolted to the block. When they go bad, they sound a lot like a wheel bearing.

[curt93t/t]

Already had the wheels up and spinning, couldn't find the culprit. Don't really think it's a wheel bearing. I've had those before and this is not acting like the same. Noise doesn't change with turn, plus if a wheel bearing is going bad you can put your hand on the center of the rim and the bad actor side will be noticeably warmer. I am really thinking it's the halfshaft bearing, but Forest on 3si thinks it's the u-joints. I've had people say they're good and some say they are bad. Like I said, spent $400+ or so on the rebuild for nothing. Don't get me wrong, Chris said the bearings needed to be replaced, just not the cause of this noise. That said, really want to spend another $800+ when it's not the driveshaft.

[DocWalt]

Have you checked/replaced carrier bearings?

[curt93t/t]

I have visually checked the carrier bearings and from what I can tell (without pulling them) they seem fine. No tears or rips and movement seems within limits.

[DocWalt]

The reason I ask is that I had strange noises and replacing the carrier bearings fixed the issue. I assume we're listening to the "womp-womp-womp" noise in your video? I can only hear "normal" noises otherwise.