We have a 2008 with standard manual shift transfer case, 80,000 miles lifetime drivetrain warranty. Spouse drives it. I do rarely, basically in and out of the garage to swap winter/summer tires. I noticed what seems like partial binding when pulling back into the garage the other day (its been in 2WD all summer). Enough so that the traction control kicked in, I'm guessing as one wheel slid on wet leaves.. but not enough for something like a crow hop.

I switched back and forth between 4WD and 2WD, the indicator light flashed while the motor shifted and extinguished as I'd expect if the shift linkage moves and the position switch gets set.

I'm thinking something is binding in the transfer case, but perhaps normal for this case? I haven't checked the level yet, but its dry and the dealer checked it a few months ago..

When I said manual, I meant the type that has a manual switch that selects the mode... which eventually runs an electric motor to shift the t-case. Its not the auto mode optional t-case.

Its always seem to have a bit of "scrubbing", but this (on a maybe 75% sharp slow speed turn) activated the traction control (ABS type noise).... which surprised me.

I'll have to look into it a little further when I get a chance, its too nebulous and open ended question, sorry .

Oh... it is a 2009

By the way, the mode sensor is integral with the motor, so if, for example, the shift fork is broken, the motor will spin until the sensor indicates the selected mode and it stops. The switch indicates the new position but the case did not mechanically shift.