Transfer case bushing

A transfer case for a vehicle comprising:

• a lower housing including an axial shoulder, said lower housing being a cast member;
• a rear output shaft rotatably coupled within the lower housing;
• and
• a bushing mounted to the shoulder within the lower housing, said bushing being formed to the housing when the housing is cast, wherein the bushing supports a slip yoke in a slip engagement that is rotatable therein, said output shaft being coupled to the slip yoke by mutually engaging splines so as to rotate therewith, and wherein the bushing includes a spiral groove formed in an inner surface of the bushing for pumping lubricating fluid therethrough.

The transfer case for a vehicle comprising:

• an outer housing, said outer housing including a housing wall having an opening extending therethrough;
• an output shaft rotatably coupled to the housing;
• and
• a bushing mounted to the housing proximate the housing wall, said output shaft being operable to rotate within the bushing, said bushing including a spiral groove formed in an inner surface of the bushing, wherein the opening allows a lubricating fluid within the transfer case to flow therethrough, and the spiral groove allows the lubricating fluid to be pumped back into the transfer case.

A method of making a transfer case, said method comprising:

• providing a transfer case housing die;
• positioning an output shaft bushing within the die;
• and
• casting a transfer case housing in the die so that the bushing is mounted thereto.