This was posted on another forum. Hope this never happens to mine.

http://www.azbasszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97810

 

One more reason to get a hub kit.

 

I didn't see where they said anything about the hubs causing this.??

 

any ideas how this happened

 

With the free spin hub kit like Dynatrac, when the hubs are unlocked or in the free position, that big chain in the transfer case is not moving while going town the fwy. Not saying that the transfer case still won't blow but it does seem like it would be unlikely.

 

acually the chain doesn't spin when you are in 2wd going down the highway. not untill you put it in 4wd.

 

I do not know what happened, but I could guess that the centering bearing in the front drive shaft constant velocity joint failed. This could throw the drive shaft so far out of alignment that it destroyed the transfer case.

This is something that everyone should inspect everytime you go under the truck. Move the shaft side to side or up and down and if there is any play in the cv joint it mst be repaired or replaced or major damage will result if it completely fails.

 

I am having a hard time seeing $15k worth of damage. Actually, I am having a hard time seeing $5k worth of damage.

 

I see alot of damage, new tcase, probably a new trans, wiring harness(es), maybe driveshaft parts, plus the new cab floor and carpeting. Probably not 15K, but still quite a bit of money.

Wonder if anything would be covered by Chrysler/insurance?

 

Yes it does spin on 3rd gens with AAM axles. People always replace the chains way more than the 2nd gens. IT'S THE SORRIEST DESIGN EVER ALONG WITH THE STUPID A/C SYSTEM ON 3rd GENS.

 

Impossible to tell without the itemized assessment of the actual damage.

 

if the chain is streched would it cause a vibration or a slight noise?

 

If you don't have manual hubs up front, when you are doing 70 so is that chain. It's being driven by the front drive shaft that is also doing 70. Even when in two wheel drive. Putting it in four wheel drive just locks the chain to the rear driveshaft. That is a simple explanation. 180+ pounds of spinning steel all the time between the front wheel bearings and whatever the connection is in the transfer case.

 

Are there any heavier duty replacements or rebuild kitsfor this transfer case available? I watch those goobers on the 4 wheel drive shows on TV and there seem to be lots of aftermarket options availabe on transfer cases.

 

I concur, I'm currently having this issue along with many others with this truck.