Part two of a three part series on transfer case repair, explores symptoms of transfer cases going bad as well as maintenance schedule. Part one explained how a transfer case worked, and part three will cover transfer case types and fluid.
Four Wheeling and Transfer Case Repair
Transfer cases work on auto-mechanical engineering principles. As a rule, to increase torque, you must decrease speed. For example, if you’re using first gear, you won’t be able to faster than 5 miles per hour, but you will be able to easily ascend very steep hills that normal vehicles can’t, and do it in a smooth way. A lack of torque is a good sign you need transfer case repair. If you do any driving using your four wheel drive, you must have a transfer case in good working order as it can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Consider if it you will. You’re going up a hill with a steep angle over rocks. What do you do if your transfer case goes out? You could find your truck locking, then starting to slide. You could find your vehicle starting to slide down the hill, out of your control, and hope that wherever you are you have cell phone reception. What is scary is the scenario just described is not the worst case scenario. 4X4 vehicles can be top heavy. It could be fatal to have your vehicle lock up and then flip over. You could roll your truck in such an event. Then, it is obviously too late to get into a mechanic.
Transfer Case Repair: When Should You Do It?
Transfer case repair depends on a great many factors. For one the make and model of the vehicle can determine when you need to get it taken care of, as different cars have different maintenance schedules. When in doubt check your vehicle’s owner’s manual. A good rule of thumb, however, is every 30,000 miles to get the transfer case fluid replaced if nothing else.
As a rule four wheel drive vehicles are usually a bit more money than cars with just two wheel drive. And it is obvious why. Four wheel drive trucks have a lot more complicated components, all of which will need repair sooner or later. And if you need transfer case repair, make sure you pick a mechanic who can do the work in shop.
Trail Transmission
11240 East Apache Trail
Apache Junction, AZ 85120-3529
(480) 986-7367
Get Transfer Case Repair
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