awg

As per title, my 242 makes a noise on the hoist when in D after about 20mph

I heard a noise, thought my D35 needed a rebuild, but once in the air, it was apparent the noise is from the rear of the TX case

So I am thinking chain is lashing the case, and it is going to need a rebuild

I have a spare 242 in my backyard, and will probably bolt this in for the time being

So questions;

I would like to take a peek inside my spare to see if it is ok looking inside

Is there an "easy" way to take it partially apart (from the rear) ?

I will have a look at Youtube and the FSM

How urgent is it, do they explode?. I had surgery a while back, and my hand is not good enough yet, hopefully a few more weeks

Can it be anything else in the back of a 242 making that racket (I would replace output bearings of course, and probably a full rebuild kit

With luck, my spare will be ok to go

cruiser54

I always thought they were loud when run on a hoist.

awg

Yeah, everything is at max droop, I was not underneath, but I am pretty sure that is a chain slapping the case (I understand and have seen posts showing the case witness marks inside, and the poster has rebuilt), mine has 250k miles

apparently the chain "stretches" (really the pins wear down and make them longer)

The sound on highway I thought may be diff side bearings or wheels bearings, but did not alter much on cornering, and not like pinion, which is different on throttle or coast

it is reassuring, they can probably take a fair flogging, but I dont think you or I would "ignore" it

So far I have replaced or rebuilt trans, front and rear diff, cooling system, electrics, brakes, complete suspension, aircon

awg

dragged out my spare np242 from under the orange tree, it has been sitting in spare tyre, covered from the weather and covered in fish oil

I pulled the drain plug, and there was about 1-2 oz of pinkish fluid, looks like a very small amount of water has got in, but hopefully no damage

My plan is to pull the back off and take a look, if it seems all good, put it back together and swap mine out

I do have one that is bolted up in my spare XJ, if needed

Can anyone tell me if the front and rear output shaft seals a "common" part that I can get at a specialist seal/bearing place ?

A full rebuild kit from Rock auto + chain is about $A400 (US300)

finally, does this cheap Chinese piece of junk look better than the OEM shifter linkage, mine is getting worn

Transfer Case Linkage Kit For 86-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ AW4 AX15 NP231 NP242 Combos | eBay

cruiser54

Cheap chinese piece of junk is a bit redundant, isn't it? LOL.
Seals are very common. No metal pieces in the minimal fluid you found in the case?

awg

no metal in my spare tx case, I have not drained the one in my vehicle, but that will be the next step

In any case, I have decided it will be quicker to just take a risk and change out TX case and see if its ok

rather than pull it apart first, which is quite time consuming

The odds are its better than what I have, and I can rebuild mine at my leisure

a real pita last option would be I can pull the one out of my spare XJ, if both the others are stuffed

It rakes very little time to change a 242, they weigh approx 82lbs, in my heyday, I could easily lift one into place, but due to age and surgery, not atm

my oldest son said he would come and lift the 242 in & out, I told him if I remove all other parts, its a 15min job