Is this too much radial play on the output shaft of the transfer case?

 

I'm asking because my rig is making this noise ...

 

My opinion, yes

 

So what part would need to be replaced to bring it back into spec?

 

Took a little time today to put a radial runout gauge on there. Play is on the order +/- 20-30 thou.

The last 10 thou is me pushing hard, so probably +/- 20 thou “slop”, or about 1mm total travel.

 

Closing out this thread - the noises were coming from the rear drive shaft front U joint needle bearings getting pulverized to dust. Turns out that at some point the factory non-greasable u joint had been replaced with a greasable Neapco joint with a needle grease fitting on one end cap. Of course that's difficult to see with the driveshaft installed, and even harder to get to, so unlikely its ever been greased. I had no play, clunking or clicking from the driveshaft, just crunching noises at low speed. I installed two new 5-1350X Spicer u joints and things have quieted back down to normal.

 

Those Spicer U Joints are my favorite for the H3. Put those on my 07 about two years before I sold it.

My 09 Alpha is not making any noise, but I have no idea when/if anybody before me ever changed the OEM U Joints so that job is on my list for this summer.

Thanks for the update.