HELP!! Stealership says Transfer Case is shot!!! Possible??

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:36 am

Had front end shimmy/noise, replaced front tires/alignment same deal.
Stealership says left wheel bearing ($450 incl labor). AND Transfer Case ($1200 incl labor) :!:

90K miles less than 100 or so in 4wd. Is this possible? Can a Xfer case be rebuilt? Is it even causing the problem?

I checked locally for the bearing. Evidently no one but Autozone & NAPA carry it because it's a Hub/Bearing Assy (ABS Brakes - sensor included). Sourced locally for betw $250 (NAPA) & $350 (Autozone). 3 bolts. Does this sound right?

I ordered the Bearing/Hub, figure it's the cheapest possible fix given the choice of the 2 and the left side is definately wobbly.

Help!

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:41 am

www.newmoparparts.com shows the left hub/bearing assembly for $209.

What did they say was wrong with the transfer case?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:45 am

Quote:

www.newmoparparts.com shows the left hub/bearing assembly for $209

Ok, I don't feel so bad about that one. At least I'm in the ball park on that.

They said the xfer case was "shot" and was causing the vibration. My brother (who's owned 4wds before) says that doesn't make sense and even if it was, they should be able to rebuild it. I'm gonna see if I can get a local 4wd place to look at it but since I'm unfamiliar with 4wds before this one, I don't even know if this is possible. (both causing the vibration and being able to be rebuilt).

Also, which Xfer case do I have? I see they list 2 for an 03 on Moparparts.

Transfer case, liberty, nv231, all 2003 $732.00 $585.60

Transfer case, liberty, np242 2003 $1,075.00 $860.00

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:27 pm

Go out the the KJ...slide under...look at the metal tag on the t-case.

Or look at your build sheet.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:43 pm

231 is the part-time tcase and the 242 has the full time option.

You have almost 2k posts on Lostkjs and you dont know that?! :lol:

How many times have you changed the tcase fluid? If its never been changed then I would say its possible its bad.

Did you check the bearing to see if it was indeed bad before you ordered that?

I wouldnt trust the dealer for any amount of advice.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:06 pm

Quote:

231 is the part-time tcase and the 242 has the full time option.

You have almost 2k posts on Lostkjs and you dont know that?!

I told you it was my first 4wd!! :shock:

& I never broke one b4 so I didn't pay attention to those discussions!

(and I hate to admit it but I thought when they told me the T-case was bad that I'd find it in the back! Shhhh, don't tell anyone!) :oops:

As far as the wheel bearing goes, something on that left side is def shaking and making noise. The bearing seems like the logical choice since from what I could determine, there doesn't seem to be any play in anything else (LBJs, tie rod ends, etc.)

edit: just crawled under - I have the 231 (says 272 on the bottom - gear ratio?)

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:07 pm

When should a T-case fluid be replaced? Being lazy here and asking for others that haven't asked.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:15 pm

Around 15K miles for severe duty cycles... You can probably go up to 30K miles before really needing to replace it though

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:50 pm

Chris,

I had a problem like you. Mine started when I was up at Twin Arch. It ended up being my left wheel bearing, Front Drive shaft, CV joint. and a few other small costly parts. When it was repaired, I no longer had and problems.
total cost was like 8beans parts and labor

As for the T case, I don't think you have any issues with that.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:08 pm

Is there a rebuild kit avail for the 231 if that is the3 probl?

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:16 pm

[quote=
edit: just crawled under - I have the 231 (says 272 on the bottom - gear ratio?)[/quote]

Ahh, now you are a true Jeeper.... :lol:

This is my first Jeep and first 4x4 too...actually first non-Oldsmobile Cutlass to be exact... :oops:

chefdab · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:36 pm

Yes 2.72 is the gear ratio for low range. But remember that even when it's not in 4wd both output shafts still turn. The rear gives power to the rear axle and the front turns because it is still connected to the front axle (even when no power is applied). So there could still be significant wear on the internal parts especially if you've never changed the fluid. If you do need to rebuild it (yes it's possible), you could either rebuild it to stock specs or get a Tera-low conversion which changes the low range to a 4:1 ratio. Or there are other aftermarket options you could consider like an Atlas or Stak transfer case. I don't know about the clearance issues you would encounter though with an aftermarket unit.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:16 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

When should a T-case fluid be replaced? Being lazy here and asking for others that haven't asked.

I never change it. Same with trans fluid.

What can I say, I just drive the Jeep and it doesnt break. I dont know what all you guys are doing wrong.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:24 pm

Mine went in not long ago for LBJs to be replaced (moogs of course) and while my mechanic (not the dealer) was taking the hub/knuckle assembly off he discovered that my passenger side wheel bearings were shot, and the half-shaft needed to be replaced. Long story short....a $200 some dollar job turned into a $1000 job when all was said and done. I was quite surprised that the bearings were bad because I had no unusual noises, vibration, nothing that a Jeep doesn't already make on its own. My Jeep doesn't see that much water either. He said that maybe it was a defect from the factory....but I'm confused that they could have put it together wrong because part time and lo always worked good (wheeled it a few times before) anytime I used it. I would have thought I would know if something like this happened.

Cacher...this is my first 4X4 too...so you're not alone. There's plenty to learn, thanks to this site!

On a side note like Chefdab said...both output shafts move regardless of you are using 4WD. This was the problem when I blew the front diff...I wanted to limp it home but my only option was to pull the output shaft or trailer it. Needless to say I trailered it. (to MY knowledge) You can't pull the half shafts out of the hub, so regardless, when the front wheels turn, the diff/and front output shaft and t-case are still turning.

Pote · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:30 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Tokyojoe wrote:

When should a T-case fluid be replaced? Being lazy here and asking for others that haven't asked.

I never change it. Same with trans fluid.

What can I say, I just drive the Jeep and it doesnt break. I dont know what all you guys are doing wrong.

I'm with you...just good luck I guess so far. I'm right at 60K right now on the KJ and to my knowledge, the prior owner (leased vehicle) never changed it...although, on a lease, does the dealership usually do all the scheduled service maintenance?? Since they technically still owned the car, one would think its mandatory. if so, it might have been changed at 30K, but I don't know. The car came from PA and is now in my hands in OH.

I'm on the fence about getting it done now at 60K...I know I know...it needs to be done, but whenever I find myself in these places (the, it aint broke, don't fix it scenarios) I end up getting the service done and then crap starts happening everywhere. Its driving perfect now, but I might be going on borrowed time...I just hate to take it in to get it done, and then my luck runs dry and everything else starts to poop on me. I've read so many responses that say to never change it if you aren't towing or wheelin like a madman...I just want this KJ to last without them fudging something else up on me....not to mention, what I could do with the extra $300. that 300 is the cost on getting all the fluids changed out front to back. ...but the more I think about it...its a small price to pay for much preventative medicine.

nlife · **Joined:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:43 pm **Posts:** 226

Cacher123 wrote:

AND Transfer Case ($1200 incl labor) :!:

90K miles less than 100 or so in 4wd. Is this possible? Can a Xfer case be rebuilt? Is it even causing the problem?

That's what I'm dealing with right now. I looked all over for a bearing kit for the nv231 (asked here and in the KJ section to no avail

). My service shop (not the dealership) is able to find the parts to replace the bearings but at a cost of $350+ the labor to install which is approx 4 hours.

My problem is very clear. I put it in 4Hi or 4Lo and I get a distinct metal on metal grinding sound. No problems in 2Hi though. They do go, not often but they do go. I've also got to do a clutch as well. Estimate is running at $1900 right now. It'll be $150 less if I buy the clutch pack.

My Libby is sitting at 95K km and lord knows if the routine maintenance was done in the past. I bought it used from the people who bought it used.

N

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:47 pm

I know that there was a problem in the past with the Front Driveshaft Vibrating...Dealers were replacing them under warranty.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:19 pm

Maybe the transfer case is bad but seems like it maybe something else, unusual to have them go, well unless alot of rough treatment, heck my 95 Cherokee has over 266,000 now and its just now starting to make some noise, hoping the Liberty goes as far!

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:24 pm

Well, as I said, I ordered the hub/bearing and it's going in tommorow. Then I'll see if the vibe goes away. I got few choices in this area (1 I think) when it comes to 4 by shops. The guy here is pretty busy but from what I can determine he knows his 4 bys so I'll have him check it out after the bearing is in.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:29 pm

Pote wrote:

Sir Sam wrote:

Tokyojoe wrote:

When should a T-case fluid be replaced? Being lazy here and asking for others that haven't asked.

I never change it. Same with trans fluid.

What can I say, I just drive the Jeep and it doesnt break. I dont know what all you guys are doing wrong.

I'm with you...just good luck I guess so far. I'm right at 60K right now on the KJ and to my knowledge, the prior owner (leased vehicle) never changed it...although, on a lease, does the dealership usually do all the scheduled service maintenance?? Since they technically still owned the car, one would think its mandatory. if so, it might have been changed at 30K, but I don't know. The car came from PA and is now in my hands in OH.

I'm on the fence about getting it done now at 60K...I know I know...it needs to be done, but whenever I find myself in these places (the, it aint broke, don't fix it scenarios) I end up getting the service done and then crap starts happening everywhere. Its driving perfect now, but I might be going on borrowed time...I just hate to take it in to get it done, and then my luck runs dry and everything else starts to poop on me. I've read so many responses that say to never change it if you aren't towing or wheelin like a madman...I just want this KJ to last without them fudging something else up on me....not to mention, what I could do with the extra $300. that 300 is the cost on getting all the fluids changed out front to back. ...but the more I think about it...its a small price to pay for much preventative medicine.

Im hard on my Jeep, I floor it all the time, I think dirt roads are rally races, I think 4wheel drive roads are time trials, and when I drive it around town its always for short hops where it barely gets a chance to warm up.

The worst powertrain failure I've had was a snapped U-joint.

The worst electrical failure(s) I've had are the drivers window switches.

If your worried about the fluids pick a saturday, spend a little money on new fluids, and change them yourself, its pretty easy to do and chances are it'll make you feel less worried about it.

HELP!! Stealership says Transfer Case is shot!!! Possible??

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