Dana 20 T case front output shaft bearing replacement

[RODRIG3911]

Hello fellas. So I had been noticing a noise and a little bit of a grind when in 4Lo. Today I lifted my Bronco, set it on frame stands and drooped the front axle down to check for driveshaft binding thinking that may have been my issue. Well, that was good, but I removed my drive shaft and when turning the front output shaft on the Transfer case it felt a little crunchy. I'm pretty sure my front output shaft bearing are bad. Is there any way to swap them out easy without removing the case and completely taken it all apart? I already upgraded the rear shaft with a WH HD Atlas style assembly, and it turns silky smooth. If it's possible and you got some tips, I'm all ears. Thank you

 

[RODRIG3911]

Also, could a loose front output shaft cause my problem? Could adding a shim on the back side or tightening up the yoke nut sug things back up and possibly fix it. The fit of the WH HD output shaft was SUPER tight. Maybe when that side tightened up, the order front side loosened? This is one area of the Bronco that I'm not great at, so I'm kinda just guessing what would cause it at this point

 

[Broncobowsher]

If the bearing has failed enough to be crunchy and is now sloppy, all that metal that once was a precise fit has now been circulating through the transfer case.

I am going to suggest pulling the transfer case and taking it apart for an inspection. With that much bearing material circulating through the case it is likely you need more than that one bearing. If nothing else get the glitter from that failing bearing out of the case before it takes out the rest of them.

 

[RODRIG3911]

If the bearing has failed enough to be crunchy and is now sloppy, all that metal that once was a precise fit has now been circulating through the transfer case.

I am going to suggest pulling the transfer case and taking it apart for an inspection. With that much bearing material circulating through the case it is likely you need more than that one bearing. If nothing else get the glitter from that failing bearing out of the case before it takes out the rest of them.

Thanks and not a bad idea, but there's no metal in it at all. I did a drain and fill not too long ago. It's not really that crunchy, More like it's not tight anymore and it's got just a little gimme around the yoke making it less smooth then it should be. I doubt. anything came apart..... I'm going to try to torque the yoke nut and see how it feels. I'll pull the Transfer case out and rebuild it if that doesn't work. I was hoping someone knew if I could change out those bearings without pulling it