Bobolink Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Well, I don't use 4wd very often, usually just to pull my boat up the launch ramp. However, last Sunday, I helped with a hayride, pulling a 16' flatbed trailer (with 20 or so people sitting on hay bales) slowly down a trail to a creek, along the creekbed for a ways, and back to the starting point. Had to shift into 4wd a couple times to ensure that I could pull the trailer through some mud holes, so the xfer case got more than its usual workout. There were no problems whatsoever that presented themselves at the time. Now, however, I've been noticing a rattle underneath the floorboard while idling in neutral......sounds like something loose. When I got down and inspected underneath, it appears to be definitely coming from the xfer case area, and seems to be getting a llittle louder each day. So....does it sound like my chain is stretched, and needing replacement? Would the chain rattle with the truck sitting at idle? I haven't checked the linkage yet, to see if it is loose. If it is the chain, is it going to cause any problems as long as I remain in 2wd until I get it fixed? And lastly, how big a deal is the r&r? I do all my own work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Knock the shift handle with your knee when it rattles, it'll do one of two things ... 1. Stop rattling, 2. Rattle louder, It is the linkage, the chain doesn't even move at idle. Now, the linkage, it rattles like a someb*tch ... I actually had mine rattle so bad one I was about to drop and rebuild me front drive shaft. I thought the DCV was about to explode. The linkage and the troublesome bushing used tend to wear out and rattle. Either replace the bushings on the linkage or replace the whole mess with a boostwerks direct linkage kit (or make your own, they just have a kit already made for a decent price). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobolink Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share Posted June 19, 2015 Thank you Rockfrog. The more i thought about it, the more I figured it was linkage. I'll get under and have a closer look. That Boostwerks kit looks like a winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobolink Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Gonna revisit this rattle.....with a little more info. It's not linkage, moving the lever, applying pressure, etc, has no effect. But chew on this a bit. When I pulled up to my gate a few minutes ago, it was rattling in neutral/park. I opened the gate, got back in and moved forward and got out and closed the gate. It's rattling still, put it in gear (auto) and the rattle stops, back in neutral, rattle starts. I figure, AHA! it's the flexplate. So I drive the 1/8th mile or so to my garage, and come to a stop, still in gear, and it's rattling in gear now. Put it in park or neutral and the rattle stops, put in gear again, rattle starts. Just the opposite of what it was doing at the gate. Now I'm not so sure. actually, it sounds like it's too far back to be the flexplate.Guess I need to get under it and see if I can isolate it better with a rod to the ear or something. I've considered it might be the cat, too, I don't know what a noisy cat sounds like, but this is a definite metallic, light clanging kind of rattle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 That was just step one .... I had to tie my linkage together with twine to end my rattles (and finally diagnose the actual cause). Try a length of string (shoelace works good) and tie the linkage up tight so it cannot move, need to ensure you lock all the rods together. The Cat should be able to be diagnosed by banging on it, it should sound solid and not rattle or clank. Might as well check the whole exhaust system while you are there. Pay attention to the hangers and isolators. About mid point is a metal bracket the isolators hang off. It may be rattling at the brace on the frame side. Had that happen before, just fixed it three weeks ago. Made the whole rear half of the exhaust rattle at certain times. And for what little work it is ... Might as well check the flex plate bolts, you're gonna be under there getting dirty already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 it sounds like your rattle is different, but I figured there's no harm in throwing it out there that my last rattle was a bad exhaust mount near the trans and the exhaust pipe was touching the trans only under certain circumstances (I think it was at idle, but not when driving). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobolink Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Yep.... found the rattle. I have a Pacesetter header on the truck. There's a short piece, about 18" maybe that connects to the cross pipe then to the cat at the mount by the tranny. The connection between that short pipe and the cross pipe is a slip joint, held with a pipe clamp. Either the clamp loosened up, or I never got it quite tight enough. But that was my rattle. The cross pipe could move inside the other pipe and knocking on it with my hand would produce the rattle. I went ahead and checked the bolts on the flex plate again (I do this about once a year anyway) and theyr'e tight...no signs of cracks anywhere. Guess I'm good for another year. Thanks for your ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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