Have this in the Pre-84 section but I'm trying to get some more exposure...I have a driveline noise that I've (hopefully) narrowed down to the rear output shaft bearing(s) in the t-case. I have some play (up & down) where the driveshaft bolts to the t-case. I've brought the driveshaft to a specialist, he thought one u-joint was fine, and replaced the other one. I replaced my rear diff. Noise is still there. Getting worse.

Anyways, who has experience tearing into their t-case? A rebuild kit is $180. The first main rear output shaft bearing itself is $40. The next bearing in is $60...so if that many need replacing, I'll just get the full kit.

BUT, if it's just the rear bearing, I'll stick with $40 and not having to drop the whole case. So, if I take the back two covers off and look at the rear output shaft, will I be able to necessarily tell if the bearing(s) are bad? Is it obvious?

The noise has been noticeable for about...6 months...but getting much worse in the last month. My plan at this point, to save money and downtime(it's my dd), is just to buy that first $40 bearing and some gaskets, take the back of the case off and have a look, and replace the one bearing. Just curious if anyone else has gone through this and has advice or insight.

 

I have the same issue except mine is a vibration and some resonate noise ( Running a topper makes it more noticable).

Did you get it figured out? Which bearings did you replace? I would rather have noise that this vibration at this point.

Here is my post on the matter.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post51280582