Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ATF Leak at Tranfer Case?

[klaybus]

Appears that my transfer case is leaking at the tail-shaft. I have ATF on the underside of my bed just about the furthest u-joint toward the front of the truck. Where the driveline comes out of the transfer case theres a rubber boot that has a weep hole in the bottom, but there is NO fluid whatsoever there. But a few inches from the boot, toward the rearend theres ATF on the underside of the bed where it's obviously hitting the driveline & spinning it up on the box.

Has anyone experienced this? Is it a seal at the tailshaft of the transfer case? Has anyone replaced this? Is it hard? Does it take any special tools? Any info would be appreciated.



Clay :{

 

[rblomquist]

You're not going to believe this but I have the exact same thing going on. Had the truck in the shop last week for the annual trans service and had the guys look at it. They said (and showed me) that the rubber boot was dry so there was no need to pull apart and change the seal. After towing last weekend I got to thinking if it just does it under real hard load like shifting gears under lockup and such.



I'm keeping an eye on mine but like I said the seal is dry... ... .

 

[klaybus]

Bringing it to the top for more exposure

Just one other person has seen this?

 

[jrobinson2]

On the HD T-cases theres a rubber plug on the top of the tailshaft housing that gets hard and can cause a leak, on mine the oil ended up spinning off the driveshaft.

Jared

 

[klaybus]

Plug

Jared,

How do I know if I have the HD Transfer case? Is there a part number on the transfer case? Do you know what that number is? Can you feel the plug by reaching to the top of the tailshaft? I'll look for the plug tomorrow after work.



Thanks,

Clay

 

[jrobinson2]

The HD cases have a PTO cover on the passenger side, also my under hood tag says "transfer case 241 heav".

You can feel the plug from below but may need to scrape the crud off to find it, start at the rear and go foward between the ribs until you find a flat step, its oval about 1"x2" on top of the step.

Jared

 

[Mactruck]

I've had that infamous leak since I owned it. Partially caused by overfilling the T-case and poor DC quality for their seals. I've replaced my seal 5 times. I finally gave up and use the ATF as a rust inhibitor under my truck. It doesn't leak much, whern ATF leaks it looks bigger than it is. I always check my T-case fluid and never seen it too low.

JM2Cents

 

[klaybus]

Update

Well I checked & I have the 241 standard transfer case. No rubber plug, no PTO cover & I still can find no leak but it was low about 1\3 qt. I guess I'll keep trying to figure it out... .



Clay :--)

 

[ben_ak]

My trucks leaks at the tailshaft as well... . Seeing that Mactruck replaced his five times doesn't get me very excited about doing it once.

 

[rblomquist]

Well I checked & I have the 241 standard transfer case. No rubber plug, no PTO cover & I still can find no leak

Clay :--)

Same here. I'm going to check my level tomorrow. I'm not going to worry about it too much unless it really starts puking. My unscientific theory still is it'll do it only under hard shifting as in pulling the trailer and shifting in and out of OD while under lockup etc.

 

[rblomquist]

Checked mine this weekend and didn't need to top off.

 

[Ereynolds72]

Case cracked???

Sounds like what you're describing is exactly what I'm going through right now. Seals are dry... anywhere it should leak fluid is dry. My transfer case is cracked toward the top of the case somewhere. Mine is a long story but you might want to examine the case very carefully.

 

[nfox]

Fluid Leak

I had this problem with a two wheel drive chevy a while ago, the rear seal on the transmission was dry but atf was getting slung under the box, come to find out that there is a soft plug inside of the slip yoke on the drive shaft that got a pin hole in it and i replaced that and took care of the leak, i don't know if our dodges have a soft plug in slip yoke of the drive shaft or not, might be worth taking a look at.