DT-08Driveline
Transfer Case and Differential Repair
If you drive a 4x4, an all-wheel-drive vehicle or a rear-wheel-drive truck, the transmission isn't the only part sending power to the wheels. The transfer case splits power between the front and rear axles. The differentials let the wheels on each axle turn at different speeds in a corner.
Signs you need this
- 4WD won't engage or disengage, or the 4WD light flashes
- Grinding or clunking when you shift into 4WD
- A whine or howl that changes with road speed
- A clunk when you take off or let off the gas
- Gear oil leaking near the axles or where the driveshaft connects
What we do
- Transfer case diagnostics, including electric shift systems on push-button 4WD
- Transfer case rebuilds and replacements
- Front and rear differential repairs
- Bearing and seal replacement
- Gear oil service with the correct oil for your axle
- Road test before pickup
More about driveline
We diagnose, rebuild and replace transfer cases, repair front and rear differentials, replace bearings and seals, and change gear oil.
What these parts do
A transfer case sits behind the transmission on 4x4 and many all-wheel-drive vehicles. Many use a chain inside, and that chain can stretch with wear. Newer trucks often shift into 4WD with a button or dial that runs an electric motor on the case.
Differentials use gears and bearings that run in gear oil. When the oil gets low or old, the gears and bearings wear, and you'll often hear it before you feel it. A whine or howl that rises and falls with road speed is a common sign.
Common problems, simpler fixes first
- 4WD won't engage: on push-button systems this can be a switch, wiring or the shift motor, not the case itself.
- Leaks: a leaking axle or pinion seal can often be fixed with a new seal and fresh gear oil, if it's caught before the bearings are damaged.
- Noise: worn bearings can sometimes be fixed with new bearings and seals. Worn or broken gears need more work.
How we handle it
We road test and inspect the vehicle to find where the noise or problem is really coming from, because tires and wheel bearings can sound a lot like a differential. You get a written estimate before any work, nothing is done without your OK, and if the job changes, we call first.
Questions about driveline
How do I know if the noise is my differential or something else?
A differential whine usually changes with road speed, not engine speed. Wheel bearings and tires can make similar noises, so a road test and inspection is the way to be sure. We find the source before we quote a repair.
How often should differential and transfer case fluid be changed?
Check your owner's manual. Intervals vary a lot by vehicle, and many list shorter intervals for towing or off-road use. Transfer cases and differentials each use their own specified fluid, which isn't always the same as the transmission's.
My 4WD light is flashing. What does that mean?
On many trucks, a flashing 4WD light means the system tried to shift and couldn't finish, or found a fault. The cause can be electrical or mechanical. A scan and inspection tell us which.
Downtown Transmissions · Plantation
Not sure what it is? That's what the diagnosis is for.
Written estimate before any work. Nothing gets done without your OK. Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 5 PM.