[Brian L]

Last weekend while hunting, I went in 4 wheel high to get through a nasty muddy road. At one point, I got a little stuck, so put it in 4 wheel low. As I was driving away, there was a loud tapping noise coming right under the center console / transfer case area that got louder/faster as I drove faster. It was like something coming around and banging with every turn of a gear. I'm not sure if it was internal or external to the transfer case. I was finally able to get it back into 2wd, but now something is obviously broke. The transfer case shifter is completely loose, with no resistance or clicking points when sliding it back in forth. If I bump it with my knee, it just slides into N or 4, but doesn't actually engage.

The question is, did I break something bad internally in the transfer case, or did some part of the linkage break? I haven't crawled up under there yet to take a look, and I'm not so sure there's even room to see the top of the transfer case, but I was just wondering if anyone thinks they have a diagnosis.

BTW....it's a '00 Durango, 4.7L, with 176k miles.


Thanks,
Brian

 

[Primus]

The transfer cases in the Dakota's and Durango's are chain driven, not gear driven from the engine input shaft. More than likely the chain broke.

 

[Brian L]

Alright, well if I'm okay with not having 4wd, am I going to damage anything any further just driving around as is in 2wd? I don't hear or feel anything, and I've had it up to like 75 on the highway for a while.


Thanks,
Brian

 

[Brian L]

Update: Had a shop take a look. The shift lever was broken. Had to replace it, and also some kind of big grommet, which apparently had come off and make the lever break.

Much better/cheaper than need to replace something internal.