Topic: T-case Output side play?

[paniolo]

My rear T-case output was leaking, so I was going to pull the bearing retainer off and put in new seals. I notice the output shaft has some side play...maybe .010+ by my highly honed estimate    It's not runout from a bent shaft and no detctable end play.

Does this indicate worn bearings or something more serious that I should tear the whole case down?

[BigMike]

End play, if side to side, would indicate a loose bearing before the oil slinger gear/seal inside on the mainshaft. This is normal and allowable. Now if it is endplay in an in-out manner, then your mainshaft main bearing is waddling out and getting pretty loose. We seldomly see this. Has the t/case been ran without any oil? Is there metal in the oil?

Make sure you grease the new seal and use some 300 - 500 grit paper
and rough the surface on the flange where the seal is to seal so that the seal will be able to break itself in properly (sealsealsealsealseal tongue twister :yum: )

[paniolo [OP]]

BigMike, Thanks for the reply :up:  It is side to side play, there is no detactable in and out movement.  

Over a year ago I did knock the drain plug out on a rock, but noticed and corrected it within about 50 yards before oil had stopped running out.  It's been about a year since I last drained the case and there was a fair amount of metal "fuzz" on the magnetic drain plug.

So this sounds like it is within somewhat normal parameters.  It's a pretty slow leak, just a drop or two a night so I think I'll just wait till this winter when I want to put 4.70's into my rear case and replace the rear bearing/seals at that time.