I just bought a 97 jimmy for a grand. It's in great condition as far as aesthetics and the motor runs great. When I bought the car I was told that the transfer case and everything such as sensors, control unit, vacuum lines had all been replaced and through a visual inspection everything seemed legit. My problem however occurred when I was on the freeway and all of a sudden the car halted like a just hit a car or thrown it in reverse. Now of course I have a really bad clunking sound that sounds like its coming for the t-case. I looked under it and saw nothing visually wrong but when I spin the front driveshaft I can hear a grinding noise and it also has at least a 1/4 inch of play in the shaft. This ls what leads me to the assumption that the t-case is blown, I'm just looking for some input on how this would exactly happen. Improper installation of the t-case? I'm not sure. This is the first 4wd I've owned so not to familiar with the system. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help.
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Blown Transfer case?
- Thread starter GMC97
- Start date
A: is it push button/slap stick 4x4? B: if so then you should not be driving it in 4x4 mode especially on dry highway/roads. 4x4 is only meant for loose terrain and low traction. C: with that being the case, had you been in 4x4, which by the sounds of what you said is wrong now, you were, you may have caused the t-case to bind. Henceforth, possibly shredded/exploded some of the gearing in it.
If none of this is the case then it is also possible that the linkage broke.
Your best bet is take it to a mechanic that you know well and have them look at it.
They will likely tell you the same thing about driving in 4x4 mode when you shouldnt, but if they dont then let this be a lesson learned.
If none of this is the case then it is also possible that the linkage broke.
Your best bet is take it to a mechanic that you know well and have them look at it.
They will likely tell you the same thing about driving in 4x4 mode when you shouldnt, but if they dont then let this be a lesson learned.
RMasters
New member
Yeah, I see that all the time as well.
My buddy bought a Explorer last year, it has 4 wheel drive, but not the automatic one. You can only use it on permanently slippery surfaces.
He did not believe it (hence every manual tells you so), he drove it in 4 wheel drive all the time, in June this year his whole drivetrain started making grinding noise, regardless whether in 4wd or 2wd now.
Mechanic says front/rear differential and transfer case are worn, need overhaul.
Greetings!
My buddy bought a Explorer last year, it has 4 wheel drive, but not the automatic one. You can only use it on permanently slippery surfaces.
He did not believe it (hence every manual tells you so), he drove it in 4 wheel drive all the time, in June this year his whole drivetrain started making grinding noise, regardless whether in 4wd or 2wd now.
Mechanic says front/rear differential and transfer case are worn, need overhaul.
Greetings!
Once in a while, though you may or may not be much of an offroad type of person, take your vehicle down a loose gravel road so you can go from 2wd to 4HI then back to 2wd. take about 2 minutes to do that, it will help ensure that you are in 2wd. Another obvious way to tell, as i found out with my old jeep and my jimmy i have now, when you are on a straight-a-way slow down or stop. without spinning your tires, accelerate faster than you normally would, i normally throttle about 1/4 way when im driving, but for this i throttle about 1/2-3/4 to do this. If you are in 2wd, your front end will come up a lot more from the rear wheel torque. If you are in 4x4, the front will not rise as much or not at all, depending on what type of t-case you have and the front-rear torque ratio it has. Either way, 4x4 will cause your vehicle to accelerate with less nose up action than 2wd would. Its a simple and easy way to test what mode you are in if you are ever unsure your t-case is lit up correctly.
current vehicle: 1999 GMC Jimmy SLE (completely stock, for now)
previous vehicle(s): 1993 Jeep Cherokee Country (completely stock, too much money to fix it up)
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 w/ v8 Magnum (rolled in a corn field)
current vehicle: 1999 GMC Jimmy SLE (completely stock, for now)
previous vehicle(s): 1993 Jeep Cherokee Country (completely stock, too much money to fix it up)
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 w/ v8 Magnum (rolled in a corn field)
RMasters
New member
There are so many components involved, the list of possibilities what could be wrong is long.
Why not having it checked out professionally and on site? Your car should be worth it to you.
I simply called 2 GMC dealers, one offered right away that they would check it out, free of charge.
Then I knew for sure.
Why not having it checked out professionally and on site? Your car should be worth it to you.
I simply called 2 GMC dealers, one offered right away that they would check it out, free of charge.
Then I knew for sure.