transfer case fluid

[Piersol]

Once again I'm pissed. I take my 1996 dodge diesel to the dealer for a transmission fluid change, differential fluid change, antifreeze change, and transfer case fluid change. They do the job and I have a note on the bill" transfer case fluid very low upon arrival" One year ago I went to the same dealer to have the transfer case rear seal replaced. They fixed it on the third try. Maybe they never put any back in, that would keep it from leaking. It never leaked so they didn't put enough in from the start! Now what do I do? They will never own up to it! I'm Pissed. I picked up my truck after hours so I couldn't talk to anyone. What potential damage was done? I do little towing but I have put 17,000 miles since the seales were replaced.

 

[Dieselnerd]

If you didn't do a lot of driving in 4 wheel drive it's probably OK. The chain and front output shaft don't turn when it's in 2 wheel drive, pretty much straight through drive that doesn't need a real lot of lube. If you did a lot of 4 wheeling you may have had extra wear depending on how low the fluid was. I know this sounds like "I told you so" but whenever a dealer does anything on my truck I check it all over, especially fluid levels. I hope yours is OK.

 

[Sled Puller]

Speak up loud and clear!



Document it, then at least if something happens you have a chance.

Gene

 

[Piersol]

Dieselnerd, Generally I always check things out too. Of course this one thing I don't check. Usually I find tools left in the engine compartment. I have 2 screwdrivers from the dealership! I did very little 4 wheel drive use so hopefully its ok. I don't have an allen wrench big enough for the t case drain and fill nuts. I think a trip to the hardware store is in order!

 

[illflem]

JP, if I'm not mistaken the fill hole is just like the oil plug, it takes a 3/8" square socket drive. Is the TC leaking now that it has fluid? Never thought of that trick for fixing leaks, just leave the fluid out. Leave it to a dealer.

 

[Extreme1]

Don't worry about any damage. The T Case has a lube pump which feed the bearings. When I went to check mine after driving it home (several hundred miles) I found the drain plug was loose! The only fluid left in it was BELOW the level of the drain plug! It was enough for the bearings (but not for the selector fork pads ) and is still working good 4 years later!

 

[djgwinn]

Hi, while on vaction in British Columbia I noticed a noise coming from the transmission area. This turned out to be the transfer case trying to engage into 4WD. We were able to make it to a dealer and they found that there was no fluid at all in the transfer case. This wore out the selector fork to where it was letting the gears try to mesh. Last tranfer case service was done by a 5* dealer. Turned into $1000. 00 repair, mostly for labor.



David Gwinn

 

[Extreme1]

OUCH! I think my parts ran about $95.