First off let me say these forums rock! I have been reading them for awhile but just got off my duff and registered.

I have a 2001 Durango R/T with 93K miles that I adore. I bought it in 2002 and have had great luck with it up until Monday. While driving through downtown Atlanta on my way home from taking the family to Disney World for a pre-Afghanistan deployment vacation, I felt something smack the bottom of the truck and then I had no forward transmission. It had just started making a weird whining/grinding/chattering noise while in Orlando but didn't do it all the time.

The truck won't move at all now. When I climbed under the truck to see what was wrong I noticed what looked like a drive shaft hanging out on the drivers side of the tranny. The thing-a-ma-joby it was supposed to be inside was broken open.

I have the Haynes manual for the truck but it doesn't really tell me much. I am not sure what the part is that is broken or if anything else is damaged.

Can anyone point me to some pictures or drawing of the driveline components? I have tried searching the forums, but without knowing what the heck it is has been kinda limiting :-)

Thanks in advance for any help

 

I will try to post some photos as soon as I can. I already miss driving her :-(

 

it sounds to me like you are describing the transfer case but pictures will be necessary to confirm

 

Here is a manual for a 2002, but it is the same: http://www.mediafire.com/?fqnnjdzq252

 

pm me and i can email you a copy of the manuals i have... i have the service manuals for 98 durango and a 2000 durango

 

Thank You!

 

2000 and 98 are very similar, but are different from the 01-03 trucks

 

Are there any drawings of the drivetrain components? The part that "blew" is attatched to the rear of the tranny and off to the driver's side. The entire front of the case is cracked near the tranny, and the drive shaft came off/ out from that side. It is still attached to the front case.

Thanks for the service manual. I am pouring over it now. I know just enough about car repair to do simple things. I have no experience with AWD/4WD.

Still working on pics as the truck is at the in-laws and the computer is at my house :-)

EDIT: After looking through the service manual (Thanks a ton Hydra) it appears that it was the transfer case that exploded. Are there anything else I should look at/ tear down with the transfer case failing? I want to make sure everything that could have been damaged gets checked and fixed/replaced.

 

Your very welcome. Haven't been there yet. Was part of the GW World Tour back in 2003 though :-D Still got the T-Shirt

 

my bad sharps, i misread the vehicle type... lol... damn eyes, i knew i should have kept the glasses on... lol...

i second what samnbendsdad said.

Thank You!

our armed forces dont get enough thanks in my mind