Afternoon everyone!

I have a bit of a problem with my transfer case. It has a quarter inch crack in it that runs from the bottom of the case to damn well near the top. If you want to see the damage, please reference the attached photos.

The incident happened two weeks ago. I was driving down the highway at 65 mph and thinking, "damn, for 140k miles, this vehicle is awesome!" Shortly after that, I heard a loud crunch, bang, metal on metal, and continued banging. The front driveshaft dislocated from the transfer case. When I pulled over, I was lucky enough to pull the front driveshaft, shift into 4HI, and make it back to home. I have been driving like this for the past two weeks, with no problems (now I probably will get one) over 300 miles and 3 long trips of 60-70 miles on the highway (averaging 65 mph).

My question to you fanatics is if I need to replace the transfer case if I plan to keep it as a 2WD vehicle? Up to this point, I have had no problems (there I go jinxing myself). With the front driveshaft removed, is there any need for the transfer case or to worry about problems.

I am sorry if I sound like a n00b, but a replacement is running $550 (used) and I don't have the cash to do that, nor buy a new vehicle. So basically, can I continue driving my vehicle with the aforementioned crack?

 

as far as i know you shouldn't be driving in 4hi at all unless your in offroad conditions. you have a chance of doing further dammage to your vehicle

 

I understand that, but if I were in 4HI with both axles providing power I would cause damage to the transfer case. As I see it, with the front driveshaft off, hence the front axle recieving no power from the transfer case/transmission/engine, running in 4HI is the same as having a RWD vehicle.

But that is my limited automotive knowledge, hence why I am appealing to the people of this forum to help me answer my question.

 

There have been numerous threads about removing the front driveshaft and with that, many many opinions about damage possibilities. Have you done a thorough search on this forum?

 

Did you even read my post or are you just trying to up your response totals to get a better "title?"

Yes, I am aware of the damned search feature but it is kind of hard using someone else's situation to help me with my problem. So as to using the search function, I prefer not to.

If you cared to read, I SAID THE DAMNED TRANSFER CASE IS CRACKED! I don't give a f*** about how much damage I could create by having it in 4HI driving for long distances. The front driveshaft is disconnected (eg, in my backseat whilst I'm driving my vehicle), so the damage I could create does not exist. I am aware of those problems, and they usually hurt the TRANSFER CASE, which is already broken.

 

First of all, I couldn't care less about the title or number of posts. Second, chill out! You don't have to get bent out of shape. It was simply a question. If you spend much time on here, you'll see that the same questions are asked over and over. And third, a reasonable, logical thinking individual can take information from a similar circumstance and apply those principles and solutions to another circumstance.
I'm out, good luck...

 

dude chill... samnbensdad i agree... you start blowin up that quick and people are going to be less likely to help you... just sayin.

 

Whoah.... easy! Hopefully you're just having a bad day and SamnBensDad's post pushed you over the edge. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it.

Back to the problem, IMHO I don't think you'll be doing any more damage than what's already been done, but I would be fearful of what happened if the transfer case locks up or decides to self destruct. Also, since you don't have the $$$ for a new case or replacement vehicle, it sounds like your choice has been made for you! Keep an eye on CraigsList, junkyards, etc. Maybe you'll be able to get one cheaper.

Bob

 

look at insurance auctions too... if you find a durango that was pretty much demolished but has a good transfer case you might be able to get it for cheep

 

you cannot leave the transfer case in its current state, it WILL end up seizing up without any fluid in it the question is WHEN NOT IF.

if you wanted to convert the truck to 2wd you would need to pull out the t-case and get a 2wd drive shaft to go to the rear, that said your best and easiest (not necessarily cheapest) solution is to replace the t-case. Models from 01-03 durangos should fit as should 01-04 dakotas, im not sure about any others, but a user by the name Master Tech works for a dealer and can reference the case to your truck if you get him the part number.