What position is the transfercase lever in when you hear the ticking? Or does it do it all the time in all gears?

Have them check and make sure they put the snap ring on the back of the idler gear that will hold it into the front half of the t-case. If this snap ring isn't in place the snap ring itself could be causing the ticking noise you are hearing. This snap ring was a pain to put in. If they haven't got it in, tell them to use a small zip tie to hold it compressed and get it in place and then cut the zip tie.

But we shouldn't have to tell a shop how to do things.

Joe

On second thought there is also a little ball detent that holds the bearing race on the input shaft of the transfer case. If they didn't know about that ball it could have dropped down into the case. I'd think it'd be the snap ring though.