my transfer case sounds like a Gatling gun..

[DZink24]

this isn't a new issue, but the first snowfall of the year has caused me to finally post about it. while driving the truck in 4x4 (either range) it more often than not has a loud clackety sound to it, almost like a Gatling gun or a 18 speed bike wne the chain comes off the sprocket, "clackity clack clack". temperature doesn't seem to matter, it does it summer or winter. the 4x4 does work, it definitely engages, i can see and feel the front axle pulling me. to be honest, i changed the case fluid last summer for the first time (55,000 miles approx) and it was a bit low, not empty, but definitely lower than it should have been. it seems to be worse when taking off from a stop, under accelleration, and when i brake loose in deep mud or snow and the fronts are spinning freely. any ideas? i have never seen the inside of one of our transfer cases, only diagrams, i know there is a chain in there, could it be a smoked clutch or something? i had a catastrophic meltdown of a case on my '98 1500 (warrantied), so i am well aware of Dodges' history with driveline components. .

 

[cerberusiam]

The question is always whether its the t-case or the front drive shaft or ujoints in front axle. Have you dropped the front drive shaft and tried it that way to see what happens?

 

[CKelley1]

i will bet money the transfer case is low on oil. you need to stop driving it imediatly or you are going to ruin the case. the chain is jumping the gears from wear. as the chain wears every other tooth of the input shaft gear it lets the chain creep toward the case if you fix it now you will have only a fiew ground case ribs and not a busted case. go back with synthetic syncromesh sae50 we use dello but delvac, royal purple amsoil, fuller and others make it

 

[DZink24]

Cerb- considering the driveline issues in the front end i've had with this truck, you bring up a very valid point. no, i have not taken off the front shaft. believe it or not, the shaft and both U joints are actually in very good shape, the factory paint is still on the shaft and the joints are still very tight. i will see what the weather will be like the next week or so, i don't want to be caught in a snowstorm w/ no 4x4. .

the front axle joints are new, greaseable ones installed april/2011 at 54,000 mi. i pulled out some stumps in june, and as the front tires were tearing up the lawn, i could hear some clatter from up front that could have been the joints. but some of the noise also sounds like it comes from right below me.



Kelley- that was my concern last summer when i changed the fluid. there were some metal filings, but definitely not out of the ordinary for a first change @ 50,000 + miles. i put in the recommended amount of ATF4, and as i checked it several times on level ground the following weeks, it spilled out of the hole each time. i know new fluid won't fix an issue, but all i can hope is that it prolongs any more damage

 

[usapatriot6]

Happy New Year Gentlemen. To isolate the problem I would jack up each front wheel and check to see if it moves in and out or has play in it. That would tell you if it is a u-joint, wheel bearing, or something else. I had to replace my front driver side u-joint because of the noise it was making. problem solved. Eliminate the cheap stuff first before worrying about the more expensive stuff. If your case isn't running dry it shouldn't be broken.

 

[jhenderson]

U joint problems on the front shaft can be hard to spot. I just rebuilt the Cardin joint in mine. I could here a snapping noise when backing my trailer in 4 low. I had to remove the shaft to inspect it, and then I could just barely see a crack in one of the joint caps. The problem was obvious when disassembled.

 

[Bob4x4]

Kelley- that was my concern last summer when i changed the fluid. there were some metal filings, but definitely not out of the ordinary for a first change @ 50,000 + miles. i put in the recommended amount of ATF4, and as i checked it several times on level ground the following weeks, it spilled out of the hole each time. i know new fluid won't fix an issue, but all i can hope is that it prolongs any more damage

There should be 0 metal showing at the fluid changes... ... ... Pull it apart.

 

[DE Jeeper]

same thing happened on my truck from low fluid. the chain has streched and it is skipping. i got a rebuild kit and chain and rebuilt it. took about 2 hr, but a have also rebuilt a couple dozen jeep tcas that are a smaller version of the dodge one.



aaron

 

[EDankievitch]

If the chain streches too much it will run up on top of the teeth on the gear and you risk it blowing the side if the gearbox case out. One of the reasons you don't find many T cases in junk yards... .

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

My friend is having a similar problem with his. Definitely coming from the transfer case.

Does anyone know of updated/upgraded parts for the N271, or are stock replacements all that are available?

 

[Bob4x4]

The 271 is a very stout piece... ... .

But it must have the oil at the correct level

And be changed when it has deteriated

 

[CKelley1]

bob i agree, this is exactly what happened to one of our 03's we have the case apart now. in seeing how it works our dynatrac free spin hubs on our 06's is going to save a lot of chain wear. we changed the fluid in the 06's to dello synthetic syncromesh sae50 when new, this is the same fluid used in our road rangers. did not think about it in the 03

 

[DZink24]

same thing happened on my truck from low fluid. the chain has streched and it is skipping. i got a rebuild kit and chain and rebuilt it. took about 2 hr, but a have also rebuilt a couple dozen jeep tcas that are a smaller version of the dodge one.



aaron

Jeeper- how in depth is the rebuild?? i know t cases are fairly complicated things with lots of small parts and close tolerances. where did you get your kit from?

 

[wcjp]

I haven't rebuilt a 271. I have redone a few Jeep 231 Transfer cases. They are easy. I think I bought the last set of parts from Napa for the 231.

 

[Andres]

Yes, chain slipping. If it gets real loose it will smack the alloy case and crack it.



I took a 271 apart about 4years ago, real easy. It was for a conversion and I ordered a new one (it sits on the garage in the corner botheriong no one)



I bought one from Dodge 4 yrs ago, it was about $750 or so, no core charge.

That was "trade price" (through a friends garage), direct price more.



I'd rebuild that one.

 

[CKelley1]

ordered all of the parts yesterday all bearings and seals, chain thrust washers, oil pump shifting fork the two chain gear and miscellaneous small parts $527 from alstategear.com

 

[fox]

Transfer cases are simple and easy to go thru. If you get all the parts back in it it is right!



question is, WHY is it going bad?



I have talked with a few members who bought thier trucks new, put it in 4X4 and drove everyday like that for 10,000 miles and complained the transfer cases were junk.

I'm NOT trying to insult anyone.

 

[CKelley1]

there was no visible oil seep on ours anywhere, but was low on oil. i think we forgot to check the oil from the factory and did not do the 100,000 mile service we normally do and as fox stated the transfer case is very simple and easy to go thru

 

[GI Joe]

Bringin up an old thread, BuT......

I see many references as to how "easy" it is to go through.. Is there a reference or write up somewhere that I can get ahold of?
My Xfer case(NV273?) has had an nasty rattling(Gatling gun! Lol) sound since my trans imploded and ate 6th gear a two weeks ago.

I already have Way too much into this truck now, with just purchasing it used 4 weeks ago, I NEED to handle this rebuild in house...

Also, I've seen rebuild kits with bearings, seals, etc.... But NO chain? I imagine a lot of the noise is a stretch in the chain, from the force when the trans locked up?? hELP!

 

[mweiman]

Standard transmission and gear has all the parts at a reasonable price. Rebuild kit, chain and sprockets sold individually. Not too hard to rebuild. I would guess YouTube would have some helpful videos.