'01 suburban transfer case problems

[ihaterice]

Any late model Chevrolet truck experts out there? What can you tell me about the transfer case in my '01 suburban?, i believe it is called the auto track, maybe np246.

I was on my way from Wilmington to chapel hill and heard some very slight grinding noises that sounded like something could have been flapping stuck to the underside of the truck but found nothing, so continued on my way. Getting off the highway in chapel hill coming to a stop i hear a loud clunk and as I go to go forward more i get like a 'dunk... dunk... dunk...dunk' shaking the whole body of the Suburban. I get out as my brother drives it and i can hear a clunking coming right from the middle of the truck. Noise and conditions same in 4wd as in 2wd. Checked trans and its full of fluid and its not discolored nor has any crud on it.

So Anyone know what kind of options i have for the transfercase? is it easily/not 'too' costly to rebuild? What is the set up like It still rolls and can move under its own power so could just part of it be messed up? Is it gear driven or does it have chains and stuff like Jeep t-cases?

I want to get it fixed quickly because we use this vehicle the most in our family. A guy with the highway safety stopped to check on us and said he just had to have his t-case replaced in his escalade, and it cost him $1900!!! Definitely not going to spend that much, worst case i'll rebuild it by hand myself before dropping that kind of cash.

Thanks for any help in advance,

 

[jeepman13]

this will have a chain like the jeep t-cases. rebuilds can be pretty expensive. you could find a used junkyard one for less.

check your universal joints in your rear driveshaft. if they are loose or damaged they will cause a clunking noise in 2 hi or 4x4

next check the t-case fluid. there will be two 18mm head bolts on the rear of the case. bottom one is for draining and top for checking. the fluid should trickle out from the top bolt when removed. check the condition of the fluid. it should not be black or burnt smelling. shouldnt have metal pieces in it or look like silver pouring out of the bottom. these are all bad signs. look for wet areas on outside of t-case. this will indicate a leak and is what usually causes t-cases to have problems.

this is just where to start. let us know a little more info after you have checked a couple of these.