I have posted this on other caliber forums and no one has heard of this so I'm gonna ask, has anyone had to replace their power transfer unit (transfer case) in their R/T AWD. Mine is a 2007, I bought it used from a dealer. Had it checked by a trusted mechanic when I got it and it was in great shape. Now 2 yrs later, I was told I had main seal leak and it would be $575.00. I got the car serviced at the dealer where I bought it (not a Dodge dealer) and was going to make an appointment for the seals and now they tell me it's not the seal but the entire transfer case needs to be replaces for $2200.00 because of the leak. it seems unusual, and after checking the servive manual there are at least 3 seals associated with it, youd think they would be what causes the leak.

I'm getting a 2nd opinion today from the place that used to be a jeep dealer as they still have alot of their Chrysler guys there. The closest Dodge dealer is 60 miles away and an entire day off work so they are a last resort. I am going to take it to a highly recommended driveline place next week.

 

I can't imagine that a leaky seal would warrant a complete replacement. The only reason that I could see replacing it for a leak would be if the case was cracked.
I would get a 2nd opinion too!!

 

OK this is what the Ex-Jeep place said: it looks like to them that the unit had been overfilled and it was blowing oil from the vent. They set the oils to the proper level, cleaned up the mess and asked me to drive it for the next week or ten days and the bring it back so they could check again if it's still leaking. They didn't think it was cracked but it could still possibly be a seal.How could it get cracked anyway, it's not like I take out 4 wheeling. The saga continues. I'm going to hold off on the driveline place until then.

 

Good luck. Overfilling can cause some major problems. Sounds like they know what they are talking about.

 

So I go back and check all my service receipts for the car. I have them all, of course. Funnny thing there's no leak prior to the 60k service but they mention it when I get the oil changed next service after the 60K. So after the Jeep place checks it again, I will take it up with the service manger where they did the 60k service. At least I kept all the paperwork. Hopefully if there is damage to the seals they'll do right by me, who knows.

 

I hope they do ya right. Good luck.

 

Well I now have more to this story I guess. I went to the Dodge dealer to have the CVT service done and they said the PTU was leaking. Since I've kept an eye on it, and check for a leak periodically, this has happened just since my last oil change, around 3000 miles ago. Now I have to wonder if the seals have finally gone bad due to the previous over filling or is it something else? The car now has 115,000 miles on it. Just in the past few months I had to replace the alternator, and that was pricey. And the dealer said the tie rod ends are loose. But I had new tires and an alignment about 4 months ago and the tire place didn't mention anything about that. Don't know. guess the car is trying to fall apart now that it's old.

 

That is the average service life of the tie rod's it seems on these cars. I would have another shop, such as Sears, that does alignments check the front-end for a second opinion. Might do the same for the PTU as well, just to be safe if this is the same dealer that you had issues with before.

 

No different dealer told me about the tie rod ends while I was having the tranny serviced. Seems odd though cause I just got 4 tires and had a 4 wheel alignment in August and the tire shop didn't say anything. I'm getting them rotated next week maybe I'll ask them. The leak, I just don't know. wasn't leaking until my last service. There are only two seals in it as far as I can tell from the service manual. Shouldn't have to replace the entire unit.