Teralow 4:1 231HD Transfer Case

TJustin

Porch Dog
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
Okay, here's my rig: TJ with the NV3550, NP231 w/ Teralow 4:1 T-case, Teralow 2-low shift selector, and AA SYE.

The Jeep has 83,000ish miles on it. The Teralow gearset has been installed for ~5 years, with maybe 10,000 miles on it since the install. The last few years, the Jeep is lucky to see 1,000+ annually. It is almost strictly trail driven, and is trailered to and from the trail. I occasionally take my better half to dinner, or for a Sunday drive.

While at EJS last weekend, I noticed while out wheeling that there seems to be a noise coming from the t-case that I hadn't noticed before. I do not consider it a grinding noise, or a noise that imploding is imminent. With the Teralow, there is a very noticeable amount of "gear whining" which I expect to be typical for the unit. The noise I noticed was more of a rhythmic gear meshing sound, or a sound similar to a chain and sprocket noise. It is prevalent in low-range, in 2nd gear or higher but can be heard in high range as well.

I intend on tearing it down further to be safe, but am reaching out here to see if anyone else has experienced similar sounds, or can give any indication if I am making it up in my head, if it's normal to hear other noises beyond the gear whining etc.

Can anyone provide input on whether this is a normal noise, or something to be concerned with?

Below is a video of the noise.

Thanks,

Teralow 231 HD Noise Video
 

Agility Customs

Well-Known Member
Vendor
I would be willing to bet the chain is stretched and needs replaced, Every teralow T case I have ever seen after a few years of wheeling stretches the chain. They just arent designed to to deal with the extra gear reduction.
 

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
I had a couple of them and I distinctly remember that they made more noise in 4 low than I expected.
 

TJustin

Porch Dog
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
Tore it down and took some pics. I would imagine if the chain were rubbing the case there would be marks on the case. I didn't see any, but did take pictures for the more experienced. I ran my finger along the wall of the housing and below it shows what I picked up. I also took a picture of the pump pickup filter, as well as the planetary gears Any conclusions? Any other pictures/information I could provide to help diagnose?

In response to Carl's comment about the fluid being low, I had wondered the same thing, so before pulling the drain plug, I did check the fill plug and fluid was running out the fill plug, so it was full.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4991.JPG
    IMG_4991.JPG
    461.1 KB · Views: 41
  • IMG_4992.JPG
    IMG_4992.JPG
    858.6 KB · Views: 42
  • IMG_4993.JPG
    IMG_4993.JPG
    913.3 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_4994.JPG
    IMG_4994.JPG
    623.9 KB · Views: 39
  • IMG_4995.JPG
    IMG_4995.JPG
    667.9 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_4997.JPG
    IMG_4997.JPG
    478.9 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_4998.JPG
    IMG_4998.JPG
    866.3 KB · Views: 39
  • IMG_4999.JPG
    IMG_4999.JPG
    901.9 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_5002.JPG
    IMG_5002.JPG
    1.1 MB · Views: 40

N8RB8R

Well-Known Member
Location
Elk Ridge
Looks like you have some fine copper color thrust washer debris. You need to remove and inspect the planetary gears for wear/play. I have been into many of these for similar noise and that is typically where the issue is found. I believe I am local to you if you need a hand inspecting it.
 

Agility Customs

Well-Known Member
Vendor
Looks like you have some fine copper color thrust washer debris. You need to remove and inspect the planetary gears for wear/play. I have been into many of these for similar noise and that is typically where the issue is found. I believe I am local to you if you need a hand inspecting it.

In your experience does the planetary need replaced or just the thrust washer?
 

N8RB8R

Well-Known Member
Location
Elk Ridge
Back in the day we were swapping them out for new assemblies. They have a welded pin and not sure if there is a bushing internal to the gear. Typically if the planetary gears have been loose the outer gear in the case may have damage as well. It may be possible to repair, see the pictures attached.
 

Attachments

  • B0D2FB11-E732-4E65-B530-8BC6CF49F637.jpeg
    B0D2FB11-E732-4E65-B530-8BC6CF49F637.jpeg
    10.5 KB · Views: 41
  • C4986566-122F-4A60-8C0B-FE3A4CEDFB0A.jpeg
    C4986566-122F-4A60-8C0B-FE3A4CEDFB0A.jpeg
    14 KB · Views: 42

TJustin

Porch Dog
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
Looks like you have some fine copper color thrust washer debris. You need to remove and inspect the planetary gears for wear/play. I have been into many of these for similar noise and that is typically where the issue is found. I believe I am local to you if you need a hand inspecting it.

PM'ed you.
 

TJustin

Porch Dog
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
Special thanks to @N8RB8R. I finally made time to pull the planetary assembly out, and had Nate look at them. He confirmed that it is ruined. I ordered an Atlas earlier this week in anticipation of it being bad, knowing the odds were against me. AA is about 5-6 weeks out currently, so I'll have plenty of time to fix the leaks from my transmission. 4.3 here we come.
 

TJustin

Porch Dog
Supporting Member
Location
Payson, UT
Well, brown santa delivered yesterday. It took about 7 weeks to get it. Not too bad compared to other friends who have waited over 3 months to get their t-cases. Hope was to install it same weekend it got here, but will be down in Manti with a youth group this weekend. I've taken off Monday next week to install it. I hope to have it all buttoned up other than getting the driveshafts re-lengthened.

Any suggestions for the ease of installation?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5234.JPG
    IMG_5234.JPG
    588.2 KB · Views: 16
Top