Broken transfer case link
05-09-2009, 07:08 PM
#1
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Broken transfer case link
I will start off by saying 
So several of us made a run up Martinez Mine here in AZ today. There were a couple of JK's (me and jrock776) a few TJ's and we were joined by one Toyota FJ. Prior to making the run, the FJ owner stated that he had never been on a run with Jeeps where one did not break down. Talkin a little smack, but that was ok, it was in fun.
We made the run up to the mine and had a great time. The Jeeps all handled the trails with ease, where as the FJ had its fair share of struggles, but made it none the less.
We turn around and head back out, make it past the most difficult parts and I go to shift from 4 lo to 4 hi and my shifter is moving freely and not engaging. I was still in 4 lo, however, it felt like a cable had broken with no resistance on the shifter whatsoever.
We stop and take a peek underneath and finally find where the cable from the shifter attaches to the transfer case. The small plastic clip that holds the cable on the transfer case arm was broken and the cable slipped off the arm. (this is where I will have pictures later I swear).
I do not know if this is normal, but it was held on with a plastic retainer clip!!
Thankfully we were able to get the cable to slip back on and hold it in place manually long enough for me to be able to shift into 2wd for the rest of the ride home.
I am sure you guessed it, the FJ owner looked at his rig and laughed and said he didn't seem to be having any problems. Again in fun, but I was pissed. A Rubicon with just over 3000 miles on it and it breaks.
Appointment at the dealer on Monday.
Has anyone else experienced this? Surely by the way it was put together, I can't be the only one.
So several of us made a run up Martinez Mine here in AZ today. There were a couple of JK's (me and jrock776) a few TJ's and we were joined by one Toyota FJ. Prior to making the run, the FJ owner stated that he had never been on a run with Jeeps where one did not break down. Talkin a little smack, but that was ok, it was in fun.
We made the run up to the mine and had a great time. The Jeeps all handled the trails with ease, where as the FJ had its fair share of struggles, but made it none the less.
We turn around and head back out, make it past the most difficult parts and I go to shift from 4 lo to 4 hi and my shifter is moving freely and not engaging. I was still in 4 lo, however, it felt like a cable had broken with no resistance on the shifter whatsoever.
We stop and take a peek underneath and finally find where the cable from the shifter attaches to the transfer case. The small plastic clip that holds the cable on the transfer case arm was broken and the cable slipped off the arm. (this is where I will have pictures later I swear).
I do not know if this is normal, but it was held on with a plastic retainer clip!!
Thankfully we were able to get the cable to slip back on and hold it in place manually long enough for me to be able to shift into 2wd for the rest of the ride home.
I am sure you guessed it, the FJ owner looked at his rig and laughed and said he didn't seem to be having any problems. Again in fun, but I was pissed. A Rubicon with just over 3000 miles on it and it breaks.
Appointment at the dealer on Monday.
Has anyone else experienced this? Surely by the way it was put together, I can't be the only one.
05-09-2009, 07:16 PM
#2
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yes this has happened to a number of jk's there is a really easy cheap trail fix check out this thread
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...corbett&page=5
they all carry those nuts now
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...corbett&page=5
they all carry those nuts now
05-09-2009, 07:25 PM
#3
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Geez! 
No fun
I'm glad you got out AOK. I hope the dealer takes care of it with no problem.
I can't wait to see pics. I want to go look at mine to see how "weak" it looks
. I will tomorrow when it's light.
No funI'm glad you got out AOK. I hope the dealer takes care of it with no problem.
I can't wait to see pics. I want to go look at mine to see how "weak" it looks
. I will tomorrow when it's light.
05-09-2009, 07:29 PM
#4
JK Enthusiast
same thing happened to me last Saturday. thankfully a friend was there to help me while i shifted in and out of 4WD 
i got it fixed yesterday so we could wheel today without having to mess with it. i was worried the dealer would give me crap about the 35's, but they were actually cool about it.
i got it fixed yesterday so we could wheel today without having to mess with it. i was worried the dealer would give me crap about the 35's, but they were actually cool about it.
05-09-2009, 07:52 PM
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Pics
Ok, here are the pics. A little hard to see, but just to the left of the driveshaft you can see the cable from the shifter. Follow it back and you can see where the end is free hanging and not attached to the transfer case arm.
Attachment 23861
Attachment 23862
Thank you for the link posted above. I will check it out.
Attachment 23861
Attachment 23862
Thank you for the link posted above. I will check it out.
Last edited by wayoflife; 07-24-2009 at 04:42 PM.
