Well, the dreaded transfer case snap ring got me today.

Thankfully I wasn't going to fast when it did. Was almost to a stop when it violently popped into neutral. It was kind of a "HUH"

I knew something was wrong, so I turned around and headed for home, it did it again just before I got there. I figured it was the ring because the front end was binding up when I made a turn left or right.

Popped the rear shaft out, dropped the extension housing off and out fell the pieces, BINGO! So, luckily, after about a $100 in a few parts and an oil change, she will be good as new instead of nuking a transfer case and taking a whole bunch of stuff out.

Of course, because of my work schedule and my trip up North to E-town, I'm stuck driving an 08 1500 Ram. Even with the Hemi, it's a bit of a dog compared to the old war wagon.

Now, when the new clutch gets here Monday from PDR, I'll get that put in and then I can finally turn the power back up.

Jeff

Wow, is this a common failure? What is the snap ring holding in? (sorry for all the questions).. New clutch? going with something heavier I assume.

Glad you didn't tear it up homestead.:cool:

From what I understand, it is a pretty common failure.

The snap ring holds the output shaft and drive chain in alignment with the front output shaft and chain driven gear. When it fails or breaks, the 2 gears and the chain come out of alignment and essentially, the chain chews thru the case or the transfer case just locks up and goes boom in a catastrophic failure.

I have read about it over the last few years and kind of had an idea that this was the problem happening. The chain was going out of alignment and for the most part was going into 4 wheel drive, hence the binding felt when turning.

I had the transfer case apart this last summer to fix a huge oil leak from between the cases, of course you have to spread this snap ring to get it off the shaft to allow total splitting of the cases. The spreading weakens it and in hind site, I should have replaced it. I'll drop a temporary new one in until this part arrives. http://www.drivetrain.com/gillies/Tcasesaver.html

As for the clutch, just putting a CON OFE back in. I don't plan on going any higher power wise so I'm happy with staying with the same clutch. Besides, PDR has them cheap right now.

Jeff

Which Con OFE part number clutch did you order??

Just thinking ...Another person I know had the same problem.But his 2001 dodge blow the whole transfer case to pieces.I think the cost was close to $1500 to replace it.Maybe some of the guys with the 4x4, would like to do a group purchase of the upgrade.$32 upgrade is better than $1500 transfer case.So does anyone want to do a group buy??

Just thinking ...Another person I know had the same problem.But his 2001 dodge blow the whole transfer case to pieces.I think the cost was close to $1500 to replace it.Maybe some of the guys with the 4x4, would like to do a group purchase of the upgrade.$32 upgrade is better than $1500 transfer case.So does anyone want to do a group buy??

Heck, I'm in. $32 is peanuts and it looks simple to do.

Don't forget boys no group buys on the site before you get in trouble.

Opps that $40...for the kit...

Don't forget boys no group buys on the site before you get in trouble.

I guess we are on our own then...Oh well.

Don't forget boys no group buys on the site before you get in trouble.
I should know that...[duhhh]

I should know that...[duhhh]


I didn't know that...I guess I should of read the websites rules and policies better...

I'm sure it could be organised another way [tapdshut]dr

Just thinking ...Another person I know had the same problem.But his 2001 dodge blow the whole transfer case to pieces.I think the cost was close to $1500 to replace it.Maybe some of the guys with the 4x4, would like to do a group purchase of the upgrade.$32 upgrade is better than $1500 transfer case.So does anyone want to do a group buy??

my dads truck did this this summer, took out the t-case split it in half then buggered up the tranny enough for a rebuild and coated the road and truck in dextron. Parts bill was close to 4.5 K but we installed a con fe at the same time and rebuilt the tranny. tough lesson

keep me in the loop I be in for a $32 part even though I baby mine this days, diesel is enough cash without breaking parts[duhhh]maybe I'm getting wiser in my old age....

Jason

I haven't had a chance to order that Transfer case saver part yet, been a little hectic around here.

I just put a replacement snap ring in for now to get the truck rolling so I could take it in and get the clutch changed out, it will be done tomorrow morning.

I'll get the snap ring replacement ordered in the next few days and pop it in, only takes about 30 minutes start to finish.

We got our house so that's kind of my priority at the moment, have to get the truck going so we can start hauling the animals.

Jeff

Congrats on the purchase Jeff!!!

I would like to get in on this idea for the Tcase. Sounds pretty simple.

Now you guys got me worried about mine. Is this issue prevalent on the newer trucks?

The snap ring upgrade is a good fix and cheap, mine broke some where north of 20 pounds of boost. TKOed the whole tcase. All I had left was the casing. I have heard that the Ford snap ring will work and is better. But for the small investment for the transfere case saver do it. This is some thing like the KDP as far as putting on the list of things to do. I paid $1600 to get my tcase back in order. Also I don't think this fix will work on the HD tcase.

Thanks guys, I haven't broke a T-case yet. My dad broke his but his was a Duramax. He only got 140000 kms out of it. I'm scared to take it apart and to see the broken pieces in it. If I known known this things wear-out so fast[duhhh] My heavy foot hasn't helped much either.

Just called the company.You guys should check which transfer case tag number you have.The NP241HD does't have the snap ring problem.The other TC do.I have to check mine this weekend.I think it has the HD transfer case.

Ok guys with the 4x4.I called the company again and they said the transfer case model NP241 DHD does not have the snap ring problem because of the larger input shaft.If your TC tag is anything else beside the NP241 DHD,then they recommend the snap ring fix.I was lucky,my truck has the DHD.

Ok, what mileage does the Transfer Case die at. I just nail the normal 200k front end issue, so the TC can't be that far off either. How long does the diff's/axles need to be rebuilt. I might just do everything and just be done with it. The hubs might just as easy. My buddy out here just put in $5k in front repairs, the truck only had 160000km on it.

i think im going to check mine tonight haha, the last thing i need right now is something to break on thats thing. Maybe we should have a snap ring party and solve this problem alberta-wide haha

Check the transfer case tag.If its not a 241 DHD,then the snap ring could be a problem.This is the information the company gave me who sells the upgrade..$30 is better that $4200.

I'm just installing a Whole NP205 for a t-case fix.............[laugh]

Ok guys with the 4x4.I called the company again and they said the transfer case model NP241 DHD does not have the snap ring problem because of the larger input shaft.If your TC tag is anything else beside the NP241 DHD,then they recommend the snap ring fix.I was lucky,my truck has the DHD.


what the cost of the fix part?
and where do you get it if you have a weak t case

Here you go....Thanks Homestead..

http://www.drivetrain.com/gillies/Tcasesaver.html

Anybody in town sell that part? It will fix the problem or is this something to have to check regularly?

Dam--no such luck--my tag say NP241 DLD,something else to think about fixing

It's my understanding that the snap ring isn't really a problem unless you have had the transfer case apart and don't replace the snap ring. Yes they are known to fail or break on their own but from what I'm finding from sources I've talked to, it's when they are stretched or sprung open to remove them and then reinstalled, they are very prone to fail.

In my case, I didn't replace mine and it broke exactly opposite the split in the ring. I knew I should have dropped a new one in while I had the case apart but didn't. I guess I dodged the bullet on this one.

I haven't had a chance to order the case saver part on the part of us trying to get our move to the new house in order, but I will order it shortly.

It only takes about 20 minutes to install when it does get here.

Jeff