1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Transfer case

Inspect the shift fork wear pads (Fig. 41). The
mode and range fork pads are serviceable and can be
replaced if necessary.
Check both of the sleeves for wear or damage,
especially on the interior teeth. Replace the sleeves if
wear or damage is evident.
REAR EXTENSION HOUSING
Inspect the extension housing seal and bushing.
Replace both components if either show any sign of
wear or damage.
FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT AND DRIVE CHAIN
Inspect the shaft threads, sprocket teeth, and bear-
ing surfaces. Minor nicks on the teeth can be
smoothed with an oilstone. Use 320-400 grit emery to
smooth minor scratches on the shaft bearing sur-
faces. Rough threads on the shaft can be chased if
necessary. Replace the shaft if the threads are dam-
aged, bearing surfaces are scored, or if any sprocket
teeth are cracked or broken.
Examine the drive chain and shaft bearings.
Replace the chain and both sprockets if the chain is
stretched, distorted, or if any of the links bind.
Replace the bearings if rough, or noisy.
LOW RANGE ANNULUS GEAR
Inspect annulus gear condition carefully. The gear
is only serviced as part of the front case. If the gear
is damaged, it will be necessary to replace the gear
and front case as an assembly. Do not attempt to
remove the gear (Fig. 42)
FRONT AND REAR CASES
Inspect the cases for wear and damage.
Check case condition. If leaks were a problem, look
for gouges and severe scoring of case sealing sur-
faces. Also make sure the front case mounting studs
are in good condition.
Check the front case mounting studs and vent
tube. The tube can be secured with LoctiteŸ 271 or
680 if loose. The stud threads can be cleaned up with
a die if necessary. Also check condition of the fill/
drain plug threads in the rear case. The threads can
be repaired with a thread chaser or tap if necessary.
Or the threads can be repaired with Helicoiltstain-
less steel inserts if required.
OIL PUMP/OIL PICKUP
Examine the oil pump pickup parts. Replace the
pump if any part appears to be worn or damaged. Do
not disassemble the pump as individual parts are not
available. The pump is only available as a complete
assembly. The pickup screen, hose, and tube are the
only serviceable parts and are available separately.
Fig. 41 Shift Fork And Wear Pad Locations
1 - RANGE FORK
2 - MODE FORK
3 - WEAR PADS (SERVICEABLE)
4 - WEAR PADS (SERVICEABLE)
Fig. 42 Low Range Annulus Gear
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - LOW RANGE ANNULUS GEAR
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 495
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

ASSEMBLY
BEARINGS AND SEALS
(1) Remove the input shaft bearing (Fig. 43) from
the front case with suitable snap-ring pliers.
(2) Transfer the retaining ring to the new bearing
if necessary and install the bearing into the front
case.
(3) Using Installer 6436 and Handle C-4171 (Fig.
44), remove front output shaft bearing.
(4) Start front output shaft bearing in case. Then
seat bearing with Handle C-4171 and Installer 6953.(5) Install front output shaft bearing retaining
ring.
(6) Remove input gear pilot bearing by inserting a
suitably sized drift into the splined end of the input
gear and driving the bearing out with the drift and a
hammer (Fig. 45).
(7) Install new pilot bearing with Remover/In-
staller 8684.
Fig. 43 Remove Input Gear Bearing
1 - INPUT GEAR BEARING
2 - FRONT CASE
Fig. 44 Remove Front Output Shaft Bearing
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - INSTALLER 6436
3 - HANDLE C-4171
Fig. 45 Remove Input Gear Pilot Bearing
1 - DRIFT
2 - INPUT GEAR
21 - 496 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(8) Remove the front output shaft rear bearing
with the screw and jaws from Remover L-4454 and
Cup 8148 (Fig. 46).
(9) Install new bearing with Tool Handle C-4171
and Installer 5066 (Fig. 47). The bearing bore is
chamfered at the top. Install the bearing so it is
flush with the lower edge of this chamfer (Fig. 48).
Fig. 46 Front Output Shaft Rear Bearing Removal
1 - REAR CASE
2 - SPECIAL TOOL L-4454-1 AND L-4454-3
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 8148
Fig. 47 Output Shaft Rear Bearing Installation
1 - HANDLE C-4171
2 - OUTPUT SHAFT INNER BEARING
3 - INSTALLER 5066
Fig. 48 Output Shaft Rear Bearing Installation Depth
1 - BEARING (SEATED) AT LOWER EDGE OF CHAMFER
2 - CHAMFER
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 497
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(10) Remove the rear output shaft bearing from
the rear case using Remover/Installer 8684 and Han-
dle C-4171 (Fig. 49).
(11) Install the rear output shaft bearing (Fig. 50)
into the rear case using Remover/Installer 6953 and
Handle C-4171.INPUT AND PLANETARY GEAR
(1) Lubricate gears and thrust washers (Fig. 51)
with recommended transmission fluid.
(2) Install first thrust washer in low range gear
(Fig. 51). Be sure washer tabs are properly aligned in
gear notches.
(3) Install input gear in low range gear. Be sure
input gear is fully seated.
(4) Install remaining thrust washer in low range
gear and on top of input gear. Be sure washer tabs
are properly aligned in gear notches.
(5) Install retainer on input gear and install snap-
ring.
Fig. 49 Remove Rear Output Shaft Bearing
1 - REAR CASE
2 - REMOVER/INSTALLER 8684
3 - HANDLE C-4171
Fig. 50 Install Rear Output Shaft Bearing
1 - REAR CASE
2 - REMOVER/INSTALLER 6953
3 - HANDLE C-4171
Fig. 51 Input/Low Range Gear Components
1 - SNAP-RING
2 - RETAINER PLATE
3 - INPUT GEAR
4 - LOW RANGE GEAR
5 - THRUST WASHERS
21 - 498 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(6) Align and install low range/input gear assem-
bly in front case (Fig. 52). Be sure low range gear
pinions are engaged in annulus gear and that input
gear shaft is fully seated in front bearing.
(7) Install snap-ring to hold input/low range gear
into front bearing (Fig. 53).
(8) Install a new input gear seal using Installer
8841 and Handle C-4171.SHIFT FORKS AND MAINSHAFT
(1) Lubricate mainshaft splines with recommended
transmission fluid.
(2) Install the mode hub (Fig. 54) onto the output
shaft.
(3) Install the mode hub retaining ring (Fig. 55)
onto the output shaft.
Fig. 52 Install Input Planetary Assembly
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - INPUT PLANETARY ASSEMBLY
Fig. 53 Install Input Gear Retaining Ring
1 - INPUT GEAR
2 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 54 Install Mode Hub
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - MODE HUB
Fig. 55 Install Mode Hub Retaining Ring
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - RETAINING RING
3 - MODE HUB
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 499
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(4) Install the sprocket hub (Fig. 56) onto the out-
put shaft.
(5) Install the clutch gear (Fig. 57) onto the output
shaft.
(6) Install the drive sprocket (Fig. 58) onto the out-
put shaft.
(7) Install the drive sprocket thrust washer (Fig.
59) onto the output shaft.
Fig. 59 Install Drive Sprocket Thrust Washer
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - THRUST WASHER
3 - DRIVE SPROCKET
Fig. 56 Install Sprocket Hub
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - SPROCKET HUB
Fig. 57 Install Clutch Gear
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - CLUTCH GEAR
3 - MODE HUB
Fig. 58 Install Drive Sprocket
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - DRIVE SPROCKET
21 - 500 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(8) Install the drive sprocket retaining ring (Fig.
60) onto the output shaft.
(9) Lubricate sector shaft with transmission fluid
and install shift sector in case (Fig. 61). Position slot
in sector so it will be aligned with shift fork pin
when shift forks are installed.
(10) Install the shift sector o-ring.(11) Assemble and install range fork and hub (Fig.
62). Be sure hub is properly seated in low range gear
and engaged to the input gear.
(12) Align and insert range fork pin in shift sector
slot.
(13) Install the range fork retaining ring.
(14) Install mode fork and shift rail onto the mode
sleeve.
(15) Install the mode fork, sleeve, and shift rail
into the transfer case (Fig. 63).
Fig. 63 Mode Fork And Sleeve Installation
1 - MODE SLEEVE
2 - MODE FORK AND RAIL
Fig. 60 Install The Drive Sprocket Retaining Ring
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - RETAINING RING
3 - DRIVE SPROCKET
Fig. 61 Install Shift Sector
1 - SHIFT SECTOR
Fig. 62 Install Range Fork And Hub Assembly
1 - RANGE HUB
2 - RANGE FORK
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 501
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(16) Install mainshaft into the transfer case (Fig.
64). Guide mainshaft through the mode and range
sleeves and into the input gear.
(17) Install new o-ring on detent plug (Fig. 65).
(18) Install detent plunger, spring, and plug (Fig.
66). Tighten the plug to 16-25 N´m (12-18 ft. lbs.).
FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT AND DRIVE CHAIN
(1) Install the front output shaft (Fig. 67) into the
front output shaft bearing.
(2) Install the front output shaft retaining ring
(Fig. 68) onto the output shaft.
(3) Install the new front output shaft seal with
Installer MB991168A
(4) Insert front sprocket in drive chain.
Fig. 64 Install Mainshaft
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - MAINSHAFT
Fig. 65 O-Ring Installation On Detent Plug
1 - O-RING
2 - DETENT PLUG
Fig. 66 Install Detent Plug, Spring, and Plunger
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - DETENT PLUG
3 - DETENT SPRING
4 - DETENT PLUNGER
Fig. 67 Install Front Output Shaft
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT
Fig. 68 Install Front Output Shaft Snap-ring - Typical
1 - FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - SNAP-RING
21 - 502 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)