Warner 4406-21, Rebuild or Replace
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Warner 4406-21, Rebuild or Replace
My transfer case has been making some grinding noise while driving down the road. The grinding noise starts around 40 mph and the noise level increases as speed increases. I've heard it for a while, but haven't been able to pin point the noise to one area or part.
I finally locked down the transfer case as the problem this weekend. While driving down the freeway, I had this odd inclination to grab the transfer case shift lever and pull it to the left slightly. As soon as I moved the shift lever to the left, the noise decreased substantially. It did not diminish completely, but almost.
Once I got home I put the transfer case into Neutral and then put the transmission into overdrive to simulate driving down the highway. I got under the <nobr style="color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" id="itxt_nobr_3_0">truck
</nobr> and pin pointed the noise to the transfer case. I believe the noise is traveling through the shift lever into the cab.
I've spoken with a Jeep guy at work, and he explained that it might be the chain in my transfer case slapping on the case. Does this sound right? It makes since to me. The noise does not occur while the vehicle is in <nobr style="color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" id="itxt_nobr_4_0">4x4</nobr>.
What should I do now?
Should I have the transfer case rebuilt? (It has 170,000 miles on it)
Will I be able to muscle it down and back up into place?
I read in another thread that the transfer case needs to be aligned. Is this true?
A re-manufactured transmission is out of the question. I've got one quote for $1200 and I don't have the funds to buy a re-manufactured transfer case.
I finally locked down the transfer case as the problem this weekend. While driving down the freeway, I had this odd inclination to grab the transfer case shift lever and pull it to the left slightly. As soon as I moved the shift lever to the left, the noise decreased substantially. It did not diminish completely, but almost.
Once I got home I put the transfer case into Neutral and then put the transmission into overdrive to simulate driving down the highway. I got under the <nobr style="color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" id="itxt_nobr_3_0">truck
</nobr> and pin pointed the noise to the transfer case. I believe the noise is traveling through the shift lever into the cab.I've spoken with a Jeep guy at work, and he explained that it might be the chain in my transfer case slapping on the case. Does this sound right? It makes since to me. The noise does not occur while the vehicle is in <nobr style="color: darkgreen; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucida grande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" id="itxt_nobr_4_0">4x4
</nobr>.What should I do now?
Should I have the transfer case rebuilt? (It has 170,000 miles on it)
I spoke with a local driveline shop and they said it would cost $175 to drop the transfer case, $175 to open the case, and then around $200-$300 in bearings, chains, and seals.
Or should I replace it with a transfer case from a junkyard?I've found a transfer case from a local junkyard with 78,000 miles for $250. I think I'm leaning towards this route, since my transfer case has so many miles on it, unless you convince me otherwise. Is there a certain year transfer case that I should be looking for, or a certain year that I should stay away from?
How hard is it to remove and replace the transfer case?I've called 2 local driveline shops, and they want $175 to remove the transfer case and replace, if I decide to go that route. I'm used to doing all the wrenching on my truck, but I just moved to Vegas and don't have the garage space and tools like I used to have. I have a coworker that is willing to let me work in his driveway and he will help me, but I'm not so sure I can complete this in a day, unless you tell me otherwise.
How much does the transfer case weight?Will I be able to muscle it down and back up into place?
I read in another thread that the transfer case needs to be aligned. Is this true?
A re-manufactured transmission is out of the question. I've got one quote for $1200 and I don't have the funds to buy a re-manufactured transfer case.
