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Dealer, TSB's and Recalls
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TonyC
Dodge Dakota
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2/03/2003
21:37:51

Subject: Transfer Case Disaster
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I have a 2001 QC, 4.7L, 5sp, 4WD. My transfer case is shot and is being rebuilt at a cost of $800. I'm beside myself! The truck only has 42K miles on it and the transfer case is blown. How can this be? I don't beat on it or take it off-roading. I only have used it during major snow storms and never on dry roads. I put it into 4WD the last New Hampshire snowstorm, and it sounded like someone let a bag of marbles loose inside it. My "Friendly New England Dodge Dealer" (Bonniville and Sons) basically said that because the warranty has expired (3yr-36K), it is my problem.
Help folks! Is this an isolated incident, or are these common problems? I will be calling the area Customer Service Representative as soon as the truck is fixed and it would be nice if I knew that this happens a lot, so maybe I can get some help covering the cost of this repair.
I had a Toyota before this and never had any trouble with it. I decided to buy American this time to support our country and it has already cost me a set of front rotors and brake pads at 30K miles and now this a couple of months after the warranty expired. This can't be right!
TonyC



Salinas 4x4
Dodge Dakota
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2/05/2003
16:27:24

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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From what I've heard the Dakota transfer case is crap. Mine has the grinding whine in 4wd too. I negotiated a lot off the used price because of that so I knew what I was getting into. It seems to work fine though. I'm not going to fix it until something really breaks or the grinding happens in 2wd. I figure it works fine, but has a noise so I can live with it.
Also the rearend clunks into gear on wet roads or burnouts. I'm not sure if it's the rearend or the transfer case so by process of elimination I will figure out witch on breaks first and if that replacement fixes the problem.
By the way, my local Salinas, CA, dealer - Bob Wills Dodge can eat shzit and die...



no-neck
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
18:40:41

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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Man, my transfer case is fine compared to yours so I'm beside myself. I have a leak that bugs me but I can live with that. I couldn't imagine the t-case giving me as much trouble as it has caused you guys but I will definately look more into this leak now to make sure that the t-case is okay on the inside.

Sorry to hear about your trouble but thanks for sharing your info, it might keep me out of major trouble by fixing it now.



yathink
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
22:26:31

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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you guys should have 7/70 on all drive line componets



THRASH1
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2003
22:50:33

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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Mine lasted on my 98 v6 for almost 100000 miles. i went fourwheeling regulary, and it was on 32s and then 33s....

i had the 5year/100000 warrenty so i got it replaced for a hundred bucks...

kevin



TonyC
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2003
02:03:43

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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AN AMAZING UPDATE!!!!!

The main output bearing and front drive shaft had to be replaced on my truck at a cost of $800.00. The CV boot on the drive shaft fell apart and took the CV bearings with it and once it began to chatter, it took out the output bearing in the transfer case.

I called Daimler-Chrysler's New England service representative to complain about the transfer case failing so soon and they agreed to pay for half of the job. HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT!! I thought that was pretty good considering the truck was out of warranty.

The one thing I learned from this experience........Don't waist your time arguing with the dealer. If they refuse to help, call the service representative. They want you to be happy so you will buy from them again.

TonyC
http://www.geocities.com/tony_cricco/techie.html



RowanW
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2003
12:31:29

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I had the same thing. In 2WD it felt like driving over washboard road and then...nothing. No power trasfer to the wheels at all. Turns out the transfer case was blown due to the U-joint coming apart and shredding the case. Apparently it punctured the housing! No half measures here! The Dealer (surprise,surprise) wanted to charge an insane sum (3500.00 CDN) to replace everything. Fortunately I have a good mechanic who can rebuild it and repair the drive shaft. I would advise anyone who has unknown and severe NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) to get it checked. I have 130000km on my 2000 sport club cab 4WD, so warranty wasn't an issue. Still, that's the only problem, and I love my truck, no matter what.



Thomas
Dodge Dakota
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11/01/2003
23:23:08

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I have the same problem. Not sure what caused it. I noticed my U-Joint failing around 40K or so, maybe earlier. I also felt a vibration in the front wheels. Unfortunately, I let the U-joint go until it failed (at the front of the rear drive shaft). 4 wheel drive worked fine at that point, so was still able to drive truck to shop to get it fixed. Still felt a rather high frequency vibration in front end (enough to shake out the caps over the axle bolts). But was ok. Then I had an accident (slid into tree on icy road, then truck slipped down enbankment and landed on its side). When I got the truck back, it sounded HORRIBLE when I put it in 4 wheel drive. Been hearing a clicking sound for a while now even in 2WD. I brought it into the shop to have a brake job at 60K. Had him look for the clicking sound (I thought it might be the CV joints). He said the sound was coming from the transfer case. He must have done something playing with it, cause now it sounds horrible in 2 wheel drive at speeds over 35 MPH. Now I have to put it in 4WD drive to quiet it down. He said it has something to do with a chain in the transfer case. I've gotten a quote of a minimum of $1000 to get it fixed. Now I'm wondering if it's worth getting fixed or just get rid of it.

I've been told I've only got 36K warranty on my 2000 4WD club cab 4.7L SLT, though I haven't checked my warranty papers yet. Any suggestions on getting it fixed? I'm hoping maybe the damage can be attributed to the accident, then insurance will cover the repair.

Thanks



thebestman
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
13:09:52

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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i hear your pain, i have a 1991 4x4, i don't beat it, but i do have a plow on it, worked fine until i went to put the plow on this year, out it in 4x4 to drive up the plow, and she just ground gears right there... stretched chain...
i fix it as problems come up and i think thats the key. booth cv joints, u joints, checking fluids ect...
although i'm at a crossroads with this t case, rebuilt or used... used is sounding cheaper and easier, but i think i'm going to rebuild the old t case and save it for later ;)




underdog76
Dodge Dakota
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11/30/2003
04:10:34

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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my 97 had some serious problems, first it blew the intake gasket in five places, then it destroyed the T-case with no warning. and I mean destroyed it. my dad who has been a mechanic for thirty+ years and a long time drag racer said he had never seen a T-case torn apart that bad. Everyone else in the shop agreed. The case itself was in four pieces and it took the rear end with it. There was no warning what so ever we were driving up a mountain road only going 35mph or less and suddenly the rear locks up, the drive shaft pulls the pinion nut off after shoving the pinion into the third member, and we come to a complete and grinding halt. scary



Garth
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2004
12:59:39

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I just had my 99 Dakota go toally TU. The engine quote unquote "grenaded." according to dealer which apparently damaged the tranny. I expecting at least 1500 to get the tranny dealt with after 5700 on a new engine.

I saw mention of a service representative. How do I find my local rep?

I would love to see dodge explain how my engine went bad after 4 years and 60,000 miles with regular maint.

The dealer was useless as was their corporate customer service.

Thanks for any help.



411
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2004
23:19:32

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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1-800-992-1997, this may be the corporate # that you already dealt with. try calling and asking for your local rep.



Garth
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2004
16:27:50

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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Thanks much I'll give it a try.



James Hillwig
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2004
10:29:42

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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The transfer case on my 2001 4.7L, 5 speed Quad Cab Dakota went at 55,000 and 65,000 miles. Same thing both times. Chewed up bearings. The truck gets used for work sometimes, but I maintain in on schedule "B" maintenance, even though it gets driven more like schedule "A". Fortunately I have the 7 year/ 100,000 mile Maximum Care warranty with a $50 deductable so I'm OK for now. I'm trying to find a stronger transfer case from an aftermarket supplier. Once the repairs start coming out of my pocket, I don't want to replace it with another piece of crap from New Venture.



Clay
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2004
11:17:33

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I have the same problem with my 95 dak... Its a 5 speed with the 5.2l the transfer case blew at 75 MPH it didnt take out anything else but the case itself was demolished the rear half of the case is cracked clear around and a large hole approx 3 inches in diameter is now above the filler hole.... 120,000 miles on truck

UPDATE
89 Dakota 5 speed V6 t-case GOING out chain slips extremely bad in 4 wheel, slight noise in 2... just biding time till it goes too... aftermarket t-case? has anyone actually made one for us dak users yet??

Great truck love them just the t-case BLOWS... horrible desing on New Processes part.



Vince Hartney
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2004
14:54:51

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I just finished puting a new out-put shaft in my transfer. The origional shaft snapped right behind the chain & sproket, inside the out-put housing 1/2 inch past the oil pump. There is an obvious flaw in the metal. Has anyone else experienced this?
I was goose hunting 100 miles from home in the middle of no where so this really made my butt ache. The fix was a $290.00 shaft and a couple snap rings. Total time was about 5 hours. Removing the unit & getting it up on a bench, & re-installing it. A used transfer here in Oregon is $750.00(best price) Ford & chev usses the same box in their half tons



John_V
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2004
19:09:35

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I think (I will know shortly) the best bet with a dakota transfer case is to get the NP231J (jeep). It is different then the NP231D (Dakota) but a decent shop will take the tail piece (that does not seem to break) and the shaft ($128.00)from your broken Dakota tcase and will use a jeep transfer case (on Ebay every day of the week for a couple hundred) and for a few hundred you are back in business again. The best price I have seen if you must go Dakota is (I think) tranfercaseonline.com. They charge around $800.00 with no core charge and sometimes they are free shipping.
John_V



Thomas
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2004
13:36:09

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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Hmmm. I'm still trying to figure out what to do here. The prices you guys are quoting are much lower than what I've been quoted. I've been told around $1000 - $2000, probably closer to $2000.

Should I bother to have them take apart the old transfer case, or should I just tell them to put in a new/rebuilt one?

What's the quality of rebuilts?

Should I just sell the truck instead? How much value will I lose for selling it with a broken transfer case?



Chris
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2004
10:53:57

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I have a '99 Dak w/ 91k miles and the transfercase detonated recently.. stretched chain and 2 bad gears. Dodge dlr wanted to rebuild for $1000. Rebuilt is $750-800. Used from wreck is $700. Obvious decision, but the Jeep version is interesting. Hardly use 4x4, but apparently the cause of this is bad seals that leaked out fluid. So, once used, the case heats up, leading to chain failure.



outlaw
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2004
00:11:03

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I have a 89 dak 4x4 5spd and it starts vibrating at about 45. I dropped the driveshaft on I-5 and had it towed home. I replaced the u-joint and it still does it. When I pick up on it to check the u-joints the shaft moves up and down in the transfer case. I saw diagram and it looks like there is a bushing in there is this hard to replace or can I do it without tearing the whole case apart? I think the bushing was probably damaged when the rear u-joint went. I was doing 60. Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Pete
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2004
13:11:53

RE: Transfer Case Disaster
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I noticed that several people mentioned that they hardly use four wheel drive.

This could be part of the problem. You need to use it at least once a month, and long enough that everything comes up to operating temperature.

Find a dirt road nearby and use that four wheel drive.

Just my opinion, but it is what the dealer told me when I bought my 4x4.

Pete



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