Tapered bearing intermediate shaft

Okay, so I rebiult the Dana 18 X-fer case in the GPW. This is after I broke everything inside plus split the case. Very dumb move. Never downshift from fourth to third gear running about 60 by side stepping the clutch. Ouch! The biggest loss in this was a tapered bearing intermediate gear. Ripped about 5 teeth off the big gear. I talked to Novak and they talked me into a standard shaft. Since I had a gear for a standard shaft I went that direction. I have to say after driving the Jeep with each style the non-tapered bearings stink! I can't believe how noisy it is and how much chatter I have when I let off the gas. Now I'm ready to take it out and find another tapered bearing gear. I have the shaft and bearings if I can find a gear. If I can't find one I may have another one machined. Call me spoiled but there is no comparing the two set up's. Any suggestions?

 

My M B t-case is going out. I am going to buy one from Herm that is a later style with the 2.5:1 lowrange. Not sure if this answers your question, but for the few hundred bucks, more lowrange and you could get the style you wanted? Not sure if you have an original 1.97:1 WWII t-case or a newer one.

 

I knew I should have called Herm to begin with! Does he offer the tapered bearing gear by itself or do you have to buy the 2.5 LR? I really only need the gear but I would do the lower gear set if needed. I am really disappointed with the needle bearing set up.

 

I thought the tapered bearing setup was some aftermarket mod from Advance Adapters ... or some such. Out of production? Likely not a lot of them out there if that's the case.

 

I was using one in my Jeep, I agree it is a very nice conversion. I broke mine when the output bearings failed and broke a few teeth off. I am looking for another intermediate gear and I will machine it out to the bearing size. I think the only way to get one is to machine it yourself or have it done.

 

Tim's right, came from AA.

I just looked on AA site and they list it still for $156.98 or something like that.

http://advanceadapters.com/product/2519/(P/N-716005)-1-1/4"-Intermediate-Gear-Kit.html

If the rest of your parts are good for the conversion I'd machine a good oem gear. If not then maybe the kit would be the way to go.

 

Thanks Nick, I guess they only offer the shaft and bearing in the kit. Mine are still good so I think I will just get my new gear machined to accept the bearing cups. I called AA and the tech guy told me they no longer offer the gear as part of the kit. I'll drop mine out and take get it done. I'm totally not happy with the needle bearings.

 

Oh boy, here we go. I took the new intermediate gear out of my X-fer case. I took the new one and the original that I broke to a machine shop to get the new one cut out to accept the tapered bearings. The shop specializes in gear work and said they could do it without any problem. So the guy that runs the place calls me to have me look at the new gear. I go back and he shows me the teeth on the new gear are not cut the same as the original. I took the gear from my Warn overdrive with me so he could mesh the teeth and compare them. The teeth are cut different enough that you can tell by looking at them, they are not the same! When we rolled the two gears together the new gear sort of "cogs" along, the original gear just glides smooth as glass. What a peice of crap. I bought the gear from 4wheel drive hardware in March of 07 so I seriously doubt they will do anything about it. He told me he didn't think the chatter I heard from the transfer case was the roller bearings at all, he thinks it is the new gear. I am really ticked. I should have checked it closer when I installed it but I never dreamed it was so screwed up. Unless you set the two side by side you would never know. Now I want to find another original Dana gear and start over. I am still going to use the tapered bearings since I already have it back apart. The search is on for a Dana 18-5-9 gear. Dang crappy brand X parts!

 

Try and find a good used one vs. an aftermarket. The stock used gears are MUCH better quality than any of the aftermarket gears. Try the vendors listed in where to buy parts that deal in used parts like that. Herm, R&P, PartsMike, all possible sources.

 

If you strike out with the people nickmil suggested, try J&W Wrecking.
http://www.jwjeep.com/

 

Thanks Posi, I filled out a parts request form so we will see what they have. I think we may have another 1 1/4" shaft transfer case somewhere but I hate to rob parts if I can find another gear. Hopefully they will have one.

 

The guys at jw think they have one. I'll see what they come up with and go from there. I'm a little ticked about the quality of the brand-X replacement I bought. I guess I should have checked it closer before I installed it and drove with it. I think the FC170 we have should have the big shaft. I may have to check it out before I get ripped again. Live and learn.