My 2001 Dakota Sport 3.9 4wd makes a strange growling noise occasionally and I can't figure out where it's coming from. It sounds like it is directly under me and it happens at all different speeds and doesn't affect the performance. I thought it might be coming from the transfer case, so I changed the fluid in it. It seems to do it less now but it still happens. Has anyone experienced this and know what the cause might be?

 

What transfer case does it have?

 

Not sure, Is there a way to tell?

 

Tag on the back side of the t-case. It's round, should have a red-checked border.

 

The transfer case is a New Process Gear Model 233D.

 

Drop the rear driveshaft, and remove the extension housing from the t-case. There is a snap ring that holds the rear output shaft support bearing in place.... if it breaks/disappears/abandons shaft, the shaft, and associated parts, will walk in the housing, and cause all sorts of expensive problems. For some models of t-case, there is a fix for that, but, I can't come up with it for the 233. have a look, see what ya find.

 

So you think it might be a broken or missing snap ring? Is that a common problem?

 

On the 231 and 241 t-cases it certainly is........ and it uses pretty much the exact same setup.

 

If that turns out to be it, are the snap rings available somewhere? Is it a specialized part?

 

Just a standard snap ring. Just need the right size..... I would be tempted to contact these guys, and see if they make a t-case saver for the 233......