NP241 TRANSFER CASE SUPPORT ROD

[Ricko1966]

The rod was designed to prevent the transfer case from being torn from the transmission if the front axle were to be driven backwards from impact or catastrophic spring flex thereby causing the front driveshaft to compress beyond its ability to compress via the slip yoke. If & when the front driveshaft reaches its maximum compressibility and is pushed further rearward, it then exerts a direct impact to the transfer case, which in theory could fracture the 4-bolt attachment to the transmission adapter.

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It can also break the transmission tailshaft. If the transfer case moves forward or back to far because it tries to bend the transmission.

 

[HotRodPC]

I guess they only had the bell housing support rods from the motor mounts, I was thinking they had the TC support too

Yep, I think they've been called Strut Rods before, that went from the TC Aluminum cover to the motor mount back up brackets, AND this rod support rod that's being discussed here. All of the above was included. I hope I still have them, but I think I have 2 or 3 of those aluminum TC covers. I know I need at least one, but I know for a fact I had at least 2. Hopefully 1 didn't leave when I sold that K5 Blazer.

 

[Gander]

When I first got my truck I found that the transfer case had broken at one of the bolt holes on the case for that brace. Upon further inspection I found that a previous owner had removed the motor mount to trans inspection cover braces, had left the transmission mount unbolted, and had installed a reman engine on busted motor mounts. The guy I bought it from had been driving it around town for a couple of years like that and swore he had no idea.

Long story short, replaced the motor mounts and transmission mount, found the motor to trans braces and replaced them, drilled out and installed a helicoil in one of the holes on the trans inspection cover that was stripped out, replaced the transfer case and made sure to include the brace when the new transfer case went in. The 88 suburban I got the transfer case out of didn’t have the brace on it and from the looks of things hadn’t had it on it in many years. Didn’t look like it saw much off-road use though, transfer case looked mint on the inside when we opened it up.

IMHO the braces are a hassle when working on stuff under the truck but I’d much rather have them on there than run the risk of breaking parts even if the risk is slight. I mean, why not?