Chevy Transfer Case Question

Howard H. · Dec 17, 2021

The transfer case on my '06 Suburban went out - and I'm trying to track down a replacement. Is the set of numbers on the round New Process tag exactly what I need to find a direct replacement?

In other words, my #'s are NP246 1258-0859.

I am surprised since I've found so many NP246s - but none of them match those exact #s. I would have thought a Suburban transfer case would be common as hay. It makes me wonder if I am misundertanding what those #'s mean - but I haven't really found any resource to truly explain the details.

Thanks for any advice,
Howard

4play · Dec 17, 2021

Yes, particularly the NP246. Some places might only ask if it has Auto function.

Those are notorious for failure they have a design flaw where the oil pump tangs vibrate a hole in the rear housing, fluid leaks out and destroys the t-case. If receptive and you catch the leak and it can be repaired and if proactive you can upgrade it.

edit: not saying that's what happened to yours, but it's the most common failure that destroys the case. They are hard to find in salvage because of this too.

This post was edited by 4play on 12/17/2021 at 07:44 pm.

Bob Bancroft · Dec 18, 2021

Local GM dealer replaced the transfer case in my neighbors pickup a couple years ago with a new one. As I recall, it was between 2 and 3 thousand dollars. The problem was as described below.

UncleTom · Dec 18, 2021

My brothers 2000 3/4 ford wore a hole in the transfercase from the oil pump. He was pulling a trialer on the interstate and it locked up,started hoping the rear wheels and blew the whole bottom out and the front drive shaft was ruined. The oil pump problem is one many really dont know about.

Hobo,NC · Dec 18, 2021

Call these folks its where I get mine.

http://www.transfercases.com/transfer-case-models.htm#Chevy

Howard H. · Dec 18, 2021

Actually, my problem was the small O-ring leaking around the shifter shaft through the side... It kept contaminating the shifter control. I finally rebuilt the case and it didn't show any sign of the wear problem going through the case, but for some reason the shifter shaft still leaked - and I loaned it to the kids - and I think ran it low on oil...

I figured it would be pretty easy to find a good used one - but since it isn't - I'll pull this one and see if it is repairable - or check into Hobo's option.

Thanks for the info, fellows!

psimmer · Dec 18, 2021

This is an interesting topic. As some may recall, I posted a few weeks ago that my 1999 Silverado had what I thought was a transmission failure suddenly while driving down the road. Here is my original post.

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1536639&highlight=

I am assuming it is the transmission, but now I wonder. I did haul it back home yesterday, as it failed 100 miles from home. While chaining it to the trailer, and laying underneath it, I do notice a fluid leak from somewhere. It isn't red like transmission fluid, but when I checked it after the failure, the transmission fluid is brown. After the first of the year, I have someone lined up to remove the transmission as I assumed possibly wrongly that it is the transmission. Is the transfer case in my 1999 the same as in the 2006 Suburban? Mine is the electric shift model which is mentioned in one of the replies to this original post.

Super H Mike · Dec 18, 2021

Check the RPO codes on the glove box door. You can easily find RPO explanations on the Google. The NP 246 is the model of transfer case, but there may be variables .

Howard H. · Dec 18, 2021

I didnt happens to see your post originally - but Id guess two things.

Either trannie turned loose or the transfer case went to neutral. But I dont think it would have moved at all the second time it it were the latter.

My 99 suburban did that one time when the oil change place left a transmission line loose. After 300 miles it came off and started losing fluid. Just refilled it that time and was fine.

But when the 06 started similarly slipping a year or two ago, it was because the trannie was worn out (240k).

Id try moving it cold - and/or in low or reverse to see what it does.

On mine - you CAN take the electronic shifter motor off the transfer case and shift it by moving the selector shaft with a pair of pliers. I dont remember if the 99 was the same way.

Howard

d9gdon · Dec 18, 2021

(quoted from post at 23:32:13 12/17/21)
The transfer case on my '06 Suburban went out - and I'm trying to track down a replacement. Is the set of numbers on the round New Process tag exactly what I need to find a direct replacement?

In other words, my #'s are NP246 1258-0859.

I am surprised since I've found so many NP246s - but none of them match those exact #s. I would have thought a Suburban transfer case would be common as hay. It makes me wonder if I am misundertanding what those #'s mean - but I haven't really found any resource to truly explain the details.

Thanks for any advice,
Howard

I got mine from The Gear Shop on Amazon for $695. They are a fantastic bunch to buy from, very knowledgable and the best customer service I've ever had.

They ship it in a plastic shipping container by UPS right to your house and when you get your old one out, you put it back in the shipping container and take it to the nearest UPS shipping store and your warranty kicks in.

They add a pump rub kit in their rebuilds so it won't do it again.

psimmer · Dec 18, 2021

Tried moving it cold yesterday to load it for trip home. Wouldnt move at all either direction. Had to tow it to trailer and tow it on trailer.

Chevy Transfer Case Question

Howard H.

Well-known Member

4play

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

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UncleTom

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Hobo,NC

Well-known Member

Howard H.

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psimmer

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Super H Mike

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Howard H.

Well-known Member

d9gdon

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psimmer

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