You may have never even heard of a transfer case, but if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you have one. A 4x4 transfer case allows your car to have 4-wheel drive. Routine transmission maintenance is important, but not many of us keep up with it. If we don’t schedule routine maintenance checks, our vehicles could have trouble shifting into four-wheel drive when we least expect it.
Repairing or replacing a transfer case on your own isn’t always a good idea. Just because you’ve repaired a transfer case on your old vehicle, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same process on your new car. 4x4 transfer cases differ depending on the make and model of your vehicle. If you are having problems with your transfer case, call a professional repair service.
What is a transfer case?
The transfer case allows you to have power available for both the front and rear axles. If you have a rear-wheel drive SUV, the power goes to the rear wheels. Once you need 4-wheel drive, the transfer case will transfer some of the power to the front wheels. Depending on your vehicle, you may use a shift lever or a button on the dash to go into 4-wheel drive. Some newer or upgraded vehicles will go into 4-wheel drive automatically.
Most transfer cases are driven by chains, but some consist of gears. If your transfer case fails, you might lose power in either your front or back wheels, causing an emergency.
How do I know if my transfer case needs repair?
There are a few things to look out for to determine if your transfer case needs to be repaired:
- If you hear strange noises when you drive at certain speeds or shift gears, check your transfer case. If it sounds like your gears are grinding, your transfer case might not be properly lubricated.
- Do you hear weird noises coming from the front of your car in colder weather? This might mean that you need more lubrication. Check your transfer case fluid every time you get an oil change. If you take your car to a professional to change your oil, they should be checking all the fluids already.
- If your car is in motion and has difficulty shifting gears or is kicking out of gear at random, it could be a problem with the transfer case.
- Is your vehicle jumping in and out of 4-wheel drive? This might be a result of low fluid or broken parts.
If you are not sure experiencing any of these problems, it could be a problem with the transfer case. Take your car to a repair shop for a professional’s help. Most shops offer a free diagnostic test, so call a few shops beforehand to see what they offer.
What do I do next?
Transfer case parts wear out just like every other part of your car. After a while, they need to be serviced or even replaced. However, properly servicing your transfer case will help ensure you won’t need a replacement anytime soon.
It is always best to call a professional to help with your vehicle’s transfer case. If you are worried about expenses, look for a discount repair shop in your area. These discount shops hire professionals, but they also have the customer’s best interests at mind.
Professionals will service the transfer case by periodically draining its fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid. They will also check for any leaks or damage. Transfer case fluid cools and lubricates the gears, chains, bearings, shafts, and other parts. The additives of the fluid will wear out over time and won’t give as much protection as it should. Little pieces of metal and clutch material can also wear off and contaminate the fluid. Transfer cases don’t have a filter, so it is essential to seek service – or the contamination can speed up and worsen the wear on the transfer case.
If you live in the San Antonio area, call Sergeant Clutch for your transmission case repair!
If you are having trouble with your transfer case, contact Sergeant Clutch Discount Transmission Repair Shop for the best deals. We offer free transfer case performance checks, free transfer case estimates, and no credit check payment plans. At Sergeant Clutch, we ensure our customers are properly taken care of. That’s why we even offer free towing services.
Our repair shop offers many services for transfer cases: transfer case maintenance, transfer case fluid change, transfer case re-seal, transfer case minor repair, transfer case overhaul, transfer case rebuilt, new transfer case replacement, remanufactured transfer case replacement, used transfer cases, and heavy duty transfer cases. Sergeant Clutch will meet or beat any written estimate.
Save yourself time, money, and unnecessary headaches. Call Sergeant Clutch at 210-239-1600 today!
