I have a 99 durango 5.2liter 4x4 auto transmission. I noticed about a week ago a grinding noise. I thought it was a wheel bearing assembly because it sounded similar to an earlier issue I had when it was the wheel bearing. My wife was driving to town on the interstate with some of her friends and said all of a sudden the grinding got real loud. Then she heard a very loud bang or pop. She immediately pulled over and saw fluid pouring out from underneith. I had it towed home and jacked it up. I noticed the outer metal case on the transfercase was completely broken and severed from the rest of the transfer case. The break was where it connect to the front driveline. I had noticed a few days before this when I put it in 4wheel drive I would hear a clattering. It only did this in 4wheel drive. Also the vehicle was not in 4wheel drive when the transfer case broke on the interstate. Does anyone know what could have caused this? I know I need to replace the transfer case but I do not want to put a new one in and have the same thing happen to it. Thanks for reading and any help.

 

I'm no expert on the matter. In fact I'm currently researching whining symptoms on my own 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. I read a couple of possible causes. 1. Snap rings failing. 2. Bad Ujoints. 3. Low fluid. However, if you had fluid all over the place, rule that one out.