Hi all, Just got back from a long trip back east towing a 8000 lb trailer in my 2001 4x4 excursion, 7.3 l engine. Heard a noise while on I-40 in Tn, pulled over to check trailer, no problem. Checked truck and found transfer case lying on the ground. Had it towed to mech who found a used transfer case and installed. Truck has 258000 miles on it.Tore i[ tje front drive line. Broke the cv joint. Rebuilt shaft and will have it installed later. Can someone offer a guess what might have happened? Could it have been caused by the front hubs being locked on? How do I tell if the hubs are on or off?

 

My guess would be that the joint on the front shaft failed and the shock of that coming apart broke the transfer case housing, at that point the transfer case could fall out. I have seen this a few times at the shop, mostly with Jeeps.

That would also indicate that the front shaft was being driven, locked hubs would do that. Ideally you wouldn't want the front shaft to be locked when you dont need it, it does put unnecessary wear on the front drive train, but it not uncommon for people to leave them locked.

Not being able to rotate the front shaft by hand with the wheels on the ground would be because the hubs are locked or the transfer case is in four wheel drive.

 

I took a C6 out in pieces one time. Back shaft came apart at slider.

 

after 258000 miles I am not suprised things are worn out. Got the front shaft back, they had to weld cv on and balanced. Will find out what else awaites me. Thanks for the feed back.