Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) A very expensive/ in-expensive part

[Dave Remillard]

I broke the snap ring on the output shaft of the transfer case. OUCH--what a mess. That little part failure is costing a bunch. Hope not many others have had this happen to them. Seems like a bad design to have a snap ring be a major player in the drive train. Chrysler strikes again. :{

 

[Steve Campbell]

Kind of reminds me of...

Andy Granatelli and the loss at the Indy 500 in the mid sixties due to a $12 bearing.

 

[Todd G]

I've had mine break twice. I thought I read on the invoice from the dealer that it cost $1. 70 with about $200 labor



I have heard on this website there is a thicker snap-ring out there that will not break. I don't know if the dealer has it or you get it somewhere else.



By the way, the transfer case is easy to disassemble if you have a pair of the heavy-duty snap-ring pliers with the paddle tips (not the pin tips). I will be doing it myself the next time.

 

[1tuffram]

Had the same thing happen. I told the transmission shop while they had it all apart to install any newer/revised parts. They installed a thicker snap-ring and I believe a beefier spring for the shift lever. The rebuilder said the thicker snap-ring removed a lot of play in the t-case and should help "make it stronger". I have noticed since the thicker snap ring has been installed I always have bit of a "bite/grind" when engaging 4 HI. I asked the transmission shop about this and they said it's most likely a result of the thicker snap ring and the tightening up of the clearances. The up side to this is I have not had another broken snap-ring and all the havoc it causes.

 

[Steve Campbell]

1 Tuff.....

Can that snap ring be accessed with the t-case still in the rig?

 

[Dave Remillard]

I'm haveing the work done for me as I didn't have the confidence to do it myself. When I went to view the damages the mech. stated that the rear drive shaft cover is all that needs to come off to get to the ring. If I'm mistaken, please chime in. It looks as though others would like to learn about this weak link. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Todd G]

Remove the rear driveshaft and then I think there's 4 bolts that hold the cone shaped cover on the rear of the transfer case on. You'll see the snap ring( or whats left of it ) right away. I could do it again in about an hour.

 

[Steve Campbell]

And this thicker snap ring can be accessed....

at your friendly local parts store

 

[Dave Remillard]

If anyone knows where the heavier snap rings can be purchased, please let us know. I asked the transmission mech. if they made heavier ones and he wasn't sure, but thaught it would pay to check into. I have trouble believing that someone hasn't found a fix for this with the broad base of knowledge shared on this site. Thanks to anyone willing to share. I'll be doing my home work this next week. If I come up with something, I'll post the information.

 

[Todd G]

I picked this info out of an old thread.



http://www.sonnax.com/bulletins/tech/T3-EL-399.pdf

 

[BigYellowIron]

What is the symptom for this snap ring being broke?





Adam

 

[Todd G]

My truck started grinding gears under lots of throttle. It gradually became worse until I could just barely apply the throttle to keep it from grinding. It would not do it in 4wd.

 

[BigYellowIron]

humm?



Mine has a humming noise when i'm going down the highway, that sometimes gets worse then gets better?



Wonder if that what it could be?



Adam

 

[Dave Remillard]

Todd is absolutely correct. Shift to 4X4 and any ring related noise should go away. The transmission tech. when trouble shooting mine, the first thing he did was shift to 4X4 . He knew what the problem was before we got to the end of his driveway. None the less, as previously stated, its easy to get to. Drive line out and 4 bolts holding a cover over the output shaft of the transfer case. Worth a look, perhaps even a change if it's needed or not. The ring can't be that costly.