Rockwell T221 Sealed versus Non Sealed Bearings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**AlaskaK10** · 10-24-2023, 07:14 AM

Hi All

I am rebuilding my Rockwell T221 transfer case. I have two of these cases. One had an input shaft bearing failure and used shielded bearings on the input shaft like they were from factory from my understanding. The other T case used open bearings and basically seemed good except leaked oil around yokes due to wear grooves. I am tempted to defy the factory sealed or shielded bearings on the input shaft and go with open bearings. The good transfer case had been sealed at some time with rtv and the oil passages were partially or fully blocked with the stuff but bearings were still good. So what is the consensus on the sealed or shielded bearings use in these transfer cases?

dieseldude4bt · 10-25-2023, 04:17 PM

The shield helps keep a little more oil on the bearing is my understanding of it's use.

Short 3/4 · 10-26-2023, 09:26 PM

Would be curious to see a picture of what you’re talking about. Not familiar with this, but sounds like an interesting question

**AlaskaK10** · 10-27-2023, 04:51 PM

Got a sheild on one side open on the other

10-24-2023, 07:14 AM	#1
AlaskaK10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: BREMERTON Washington Posts: 79	Rockwell T221 Sealed versus Non Sealed Bearings Hi All I am rebuilding my Rockwell T221 transfer case. I have two of these cases. One had an input shaft bearing failure and used shielded bearings on the input shaft like they were from factory from my understanding. The other T case used open bearings and basically seemed good except leaked oil around yokes due to wear grooves. I am tempted to defy the factory sealed or shielded bearings on the input shaft and go with open bearings. The good transfer case had been sealed at some time with rtv and the oil passages were partially or fully blocked with the stuff but bearings were still good. So what is the consensus on the sealed or shielded bearings use in these transfer cases?

10-25-2023, 04:17 PM	#2
dieseldude4bt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Co Posts: 412	Re: Rockwell T221 Sealed versus Non Sealed Bearings The shield helps keep a little more oil on the bearing is my understanding of it's use. __________________ 63 k20 with cummins 4bt, owned sence 1982

10-26-2023, 09:26 PM	#3
Short 3/4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Los Osos Ca Posts: 560	Re: Rockwell T221 Sealed versus Non Sealed Bearings Would be curious to see a picture of what you’re talking about. Not familiar with this, but sounds like an interesting question __________________ 65 short stepside K10 292-SM420-T221 8 lug closed D44 front NoSpin HO72 4.10 rear

10-27-2023, 04:51 PM	#4
AlaskaK10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: BREMERTON Washington Posts: 79	Re: Rockwell T221 Sealed versus Non Sealed Bearings Got a sheild on one side open on the other Attached Images



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