Front Transfer Case Seal

[mrandig]

I decided to do something easy today on the M1123, because it's Christmas and all. I still need to wrap presents.

Changing out the front seal on the transfer case seemed easy, and it's needed; it has been leaking consistently since day 1. The TM-20 says remove 4 bolts, drop the shaft, remove the yoke, etc., then installation is the reverse of removal.


Yet again, I'm feeling duped by the TM. I can get the driveshaft free, move it back, forward, up and down and all-around, but I cannot get it clear - at least not far enough out of the way to remove the yoke. I'm sure if I removed the transmission support, or also unhooked the front of the driveshaft, I could get the access I need, but neither of these options seem like a good choice.

Do I just keep fighting this, or is there an unwritten short cut?

 

[Greg841]

Grease fills the inner gap between the slip joint and the front of the prop shaft from the fitting on the dust cover so you can't push the shaft back enough. If you separate the halves (even more of a pain in the ass) and clean all the grease out you can push the halves together all the way and get another inch of clearance. Easiest way to do what you want is to unbolt the front joint and the carrier bearing.

I took it all out to change the carrier bearing and U joints, when you get everything cleaned out and degreased it goes together easily.

 

[mrandig]

Grease fills the inner gap between the slip joint and the front of the prop shaft from the fitting on the dust cover so you can't push the shaft back enough. If you separate the halves (even more of a pain in the ass) and clean all the grease out you can push the halves together all the way and get another inch of clearance. Easiest way to do what you want is to unbolt the front joint and the carrier bearing.

I took it all out to change the carrier bearing and U joints, when you get everything cleaned out and degreased it goes together easily.

Sigh. I think this is the way.

So much for an easy little project that wouldn't take much time.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Just remove 2 bolts on the carrier bearing…

 

[mrandig]

Just remove 2 bolts on the carrier bearing…

Yep. That was all that was needed.


That extra little bit of wiggle room was just enough to get free.


I suspect that star seal may be the culprit here, as it's shot. I'll replace both that and the main seal as I'm already here.


I'm tempted to replace all of the front u-joints, since there's not much work left to remove the forward propeller shaft, but I'm already over both time and money, so no, not this time. If it's not broke it doesn't need to be fixed today.

 

[osteo16]

I decided to do something easy today on the M1123, because it's Christmas and all. I still need to wrap presents.

Changing out the front seal on the transfer case seemed easy, and it's needed; it has been leaking consistently since day 1. The TM-20 says remove 4 bolts, drop the shaft, remove the yoke, etc., then installation is the reverse of removal.
View attachment 959552

Yet again, I'm feeling duped by the TM. I can get the driveshaft free, move it back, forward, up and down and all-around, but I cannot get it clear - at least not far enough out of the way to remove the yoke. I'm sure if I removed the transmission support, or also unhooked the front of the driveshaft, I could get the access I need, but neither of these options seem like a good choice.

Do I just keep fighting this, or is there an unwritten short cut?

Small pry bar push yoke back