Transfer Case Rebuild - Novak Hardened or AA Tapered Roller Bearings

Looking at rebuilding my D18 - any opinions on Novak's hardened intermediate shaft vs. Advance Adapters tapered roller bearing intermediate shaft conversion.

 

I don't have any experience with the AA kit but I remember how detailed and easy to follow the Novak instructions were when I did my t-case a few years ago. To this day , no leaks to speak of. It really seemed to quiet the t-case noise as well.

 

I'll have to 2nd what Green says about the Novak kit. I used it a couple years ago and couldn't be happier.

 

Machining the gear is not a big issue. Most shops can do it, the price would be the only worry. Most bigger shops hate working with stuff like this, smaller shops like mine love it.

 

I've been happy with my Novak hardened shaft. I installed it about 2 years ago, and it has held up well so far.

I'm curious though, what's the advantage of the tapered roller bearing kit from AA? I'm not familiar with it.

 

Tapered roller bearings are generally quieter than needle bearingsand since there larger in diameter will take more abuse.

 

What Mike said. The AA tapered bearing can take a bit more abuse from a thrust stand point and is quieter. Down side is you have to machine the intermediate gear and if you damage, break, wear out a gear then you have to do it again. Can't just pop in a replacement gear. For the money I prefer the Novak shaft for this reason.

 

I have run the A.A. shaft and I really liked it. When I did the conversion I had machined to gears, one for a spare. As I was unlucky I have gone through both gears. It was not the fault of the A.A. unit. In reply to a damaged gear it can easily be replaced, you just have your old shaft, needle bearing set up and standard gear as spares they go right back in without removal from the vehicle.
I plan on doing two more gears when I can get them.

 

I'm looking to do this sooner or later (have had the Novak kit sitting on the shelf for 5+ years now).

As far as I know, the Model 18 T-case is always loud, but how loud is too loud? At 55MPH, mine has been about the same volume for the past 40,000 miles. It's the original shaft in a used case I got out of a '57 CJ-6. No doubt it needs the rebuild, just wondering if there is any way to gauge it...