Sky crossmember installed, truck vibrates

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Oct 5, 2010 | 01:07 PM

stock as possible

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From: North Carolina

Sky crossmember installed, truck vibrates

I got a Sky crossmember/skid because you're supposed to be able to use it with single or dual tcases. I'm currently a single set up but hoping to go duals sometime soon. Well there's a drain plug hole cut out if you're using duals but not if you're using single case. I threw a lowprofile plug in hte tcase thinking it wouldnt interfere, but it did and the tcase is now pushed up some. Could that miniscule amount of added angle be enough to make the truck vibrate? I didnt remove or unbolt the rear drive shaft at all for the install.

Thanks in advance.

Oct 5, 2010 | 01:18 PM

waskillywabbit

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Define vibrate.

:wabbit2:

Oct 5, 2010 | 01:22 PM

dropzone

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From: PNW

YT is kind of a visual forum so pics helps.
Are you using the stock TC mounts or something like T-G or 4xinnovations mounts inconjuction with the SKy crossmember? You will get vibration if you are using a different mount..

SKy's website says to specify if you are going to be using a single case.
I thought i was gonna be able to use a single case on my budbuilt but it was a no go

Oct 5, 2010 | 01:23 PM

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From: North Carolina

Certainly not death wobble, more like a bad alignment on worn out tires. An annoyance that was not there previous to the new crossmember.

Oct 5, 2010 | 01:28 PM

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From: North Carolina

Stock mount, the same one that was on the stock crossmember. I called sky about that, as I bought this thing used, the guy I talked to said the plate hoop is left off for single case usage as it will hit the front drive shaft. With that information i just cut off the hoop.

What was the major factor with the bud built?

Oct 5, 2010 | 04:18 PM

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Alright, took a few pics, I'd say by the amount of fluid getting tossed out, I'm definitely stressing that joint.

Last edited by stock as possible; Oct 5, 2010 at 04:19 PM.

Oct 5, 2010 | 04:45 PM

xxxtreme22r

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From: Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

my guess is with that little added angle, you are starting to see signs of a bad u-joint and/or transfer case output seal and maybe the related bearing (I can not remember if the yota cases have a bearing there or not) which may not have been able to be seen/felt with the stock angle. In that above photo it looks as if that fluid had been there for a while.

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Oct 5, 2010 | 05:00 PM

MudHippy

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If the transfer case is, as it appears to be, resting on the crossmember then you've nullified the transfer case mount's ability to absorb any vibrations. Instead of being "soaked up" by the rubber parts of the mount, any vibration is now translated directly to the frame by the new crossmember. It's adding stress, twisting force, to your engine mounts now too.

Seems simple enough to diagnose to me...but what do I know?

How to fix? Drill the hole for the drain plug where it needs to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxtreme22r

or transfer case output seal and maybe the related bearing (I can not remember if the yota cases have a bearing there or not) which may not have been able to be seen/felt with the stock angle. In that above photo it looks as if that fluid had been there for a while.

Yep, there's a bearing there too. Transfer case rear output shaft bearing and seal(replaced both mine already). Definitely something going on there, shouldn't be leaking at all.

Oct 5, 2010 | 05:13 PM

xxxtreme22r

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From: Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

dang, good eye mudhippy, but wouldn't he hear a pretty darn good rattle/knocking as well? I would think so.

Oct 5, 2010 | 05:36 PM

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MudHippy

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Yeah, me too. But maybe not?

I can't seem to find much info regarding this particular crossmember. Sky's not selling them anymore that I can see on their site.

Did find this though...

Quote:

The kit comes with everything you need, and you can tell how beefy this thing is when you go to open the box! Crossmember center plate, frame plates, attachment hardware, transfer case mount spacers, and countersunk hardware for the mounts are all included. Just paint to suit your needs and get ready to install....

Here is where the adjustability of the Sky Manufacturing dual case crossmember comes in. The side plates - in conjunction with the included mount spacers - allow you to adjust the height of where you mount the crossmember, and consequently where you mount the transfer cases. Placing the side plates on the frame with the crossmember above them an using the mount spacers puts the transfer cases at the stock height. If you need it lower, simply mount the crossmember below the side plates. If you want it higher that stock (and have the room), Sky-Manufacturing has additional spacers available to raise the crossmember further above the side plates. Then use the mount spacers as needed to get a good fit. Sky has also re-designed the side plates for additional slotted holes to allow even more adjustability - side to side *or* front to back to assure a good fit.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/pr...ky_crossmember

Sounds like you can just add some spacers to the mount(came with the install kit originally)to get the transfer case to sit where it needs to be.

You could probably use some grade 8 washers or something to that effect under the mount to raise it up a tad. I dunno..can't be that complicated though.

Oct 6, 2010 | 02:18 AM

#11

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From: North Carolina

Ok, thanks guys. I'll get a drain plug hole in asap and look into replacement of the seal and bearing. As for the spacers, I was thinking those were for drive train lift applications but I'll play with them some too.

Oct 6, 2010 | 04:14 AM

#12

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From: North Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by MudHippy

Yep, there's a bearing there too. Transfer case rear output shaft bearing and seal(replaced both mine already). Definitely something going on there, shouldn't be leaking at all.

Found the seal on Marlin's site; http://www.marlincrawler.com/transfe...ar-output-seal

dont see the bearing though, is the output bearing the same as the input bearing? http://www.marlincrawler.com/transfe...-input-bearing

Or should I just get those things from the dealership?

Last edited by stock as possible; Oct 6, 2010 at 04:17 AM.

Oct 6, 2010 | 01:39 PM

#13

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From: North Carolina

Anyone have a part number for that bearing?

Oct 6, 2010 | 02:22 PM

#14

MudHippy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stock as possible

is the output bearing the same as the input bearing? http://www.marlincrawler.com/transfe...-input-bearing

Or should I just get those things from the dealership?

Not the same. Marlin has the best seals available though.

I got my bearings and seals(for both the fr/rr t-case output shafts)from NAPA or RockAuto, or maybe both. Can't remember exactly, it was a few years ago. Might be cheaper from them, than from the dealership. I dunno...

Quote:

Originally Posted by stock as possible

Anyone have a part number for that bearing?

36231J BEARING, RADIAL BALL (FOR TRANSFER OUTPUT SHAFT REAR)
90363-28004

Different part #'s for the input, counter gear, and front output shaft bearings.

36212A BEARING, RADIAL BALL (FOR TRANSFER INPUT GEAR)
90363-35009

36223B BEARING (FOR TRANSFER COUNTER GEAR)
90363-32006
90369-45001

36231H BEARING, RADIAL BALL (FOR TRANSFER OUTPUT SHAFT FRONT)
90363-40007

http://ToyoDIY.com

Last edited by MudHippy; Oct 6, 2010 at 02:24 PM.

Oct 6, 2010 | 03:28 PM

#15

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From: North Carolina

Awesome. Thanks dude. How involved would just the rear seal/bearing be? Could I replace just the seal to see if that takes care of the leaking and later get the bearing if that doesn't fix it or knock them both out in one shot?

Oct 7, 2010 | 01:00 PM

#16

highonpottery

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isn't there supposed to be a hole where that drain plug is at?

Oct 7, 2010 | 01:25 PM

#17

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From: North Carolina

There's one there for a dual setup but its further back. I'm taking it off the truck now ands hopefully getting a hole drilled tomorrow at work. Lesson learned.