missakian

Hello forum.
I have a question regarding the transfer case seal.
I just used the truck today to tow my boat (for the first time this season) and noticed when I got home there was fluid on the driveway. When I looked under the car the underbody was wet and I noticed the seal around transfer case was leaking. Is this a job any garage can do or should this be something I have done at the dealership? Should I not use the truck anymore until I get this repaired?

The truck just hit 80,000 and it's a 2003. I just had it at the dealer last week - the catalytic converter melted. Thankfully it was replaced under warranty - I had 79,818 miles on it for the 80,000 warranty - what luck!

Anyway, any advise on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

maxxman04

this is easy enough for any competent shop. i would call a few, get quotes on price, turn around time. call the local better business bureau as well, to see if there are complaints or not. as far as driving, if it is a minor leak, you should be fine to drive, just keep an eye on the trans fluid level, fill as needed.

missakian

Thanks for the quick reply. I have dumb question (I'm a computer guy not a car guy) Does the transfer case get it's fluid from the tranny or does it have it's own fluid? Transmission fluid makes sense b/c the fluidin my driveway is pink.

Thanks.

maxxman04

yes, the transfer case and transmission share fluid.

missakian

Thanks. I know enough about cars to be dangerous.
Just checked the fluid - and it's at the bottom of the hash marks.

MDTAHOE

Are you sure the fluid did not come out of the vent?

missakian

I'm not sure I know where the vent is but seal around the transfer case is wet an after I drive the car I can see it slowly dripping from the seal.

missakian

Does this estimate sound fair???
I just called the local Chevy dealer explained where I think the fluid is leaking from and his first reaction was that maybe it was the front seal and the fluid was leaking back. That estimate was $175. I told I think it's the seal between the 2 housings of the transfer case. He said that could be the adapter gasket and that repair would run close to $400.

Do these sound reasonable?

Thanks.

maxxman04

are these estimates for parts and labor and all other costs? get these quotes in writing too, and make sure no other work is done. otherwise, if these are full quotes, they sound fairly reasonable. just check fine print, get everything in writing and signed.

Ear Mountain

In the manual for my Trailblazer (2005) there are different fluids and different change intervals for the transmission and transfer case. So in my case the two do not share fluid.

According to my Haynes Repair manual replacement of either the front or rear seal on the transfer case should not require a dealer's service department. A good qualified local mechanic should be able to do it.