Leaking Transfer Case

Stranger ranger · January 18, 2010

This probably could have been answered in the heavy duty section, but it might be a warranty issue. My 06 2500 hd is leaking transfer case fluid from the output shaft where the drive shaft goes in. Doesn't look like much but its there and its irritating to see it when the truck only has 36K miles. Would this be worth my time in bringing it in for warranty or can it just be a bad seal? If that's all it is, I will just do it myself, but if its more, then I need to bring it it. Looks like its only leaking when its moving and its not a significant amount, yet because i checked it and it wasnt low.

any input will be appreciated, thanks.

Stranger ranger · January 19, 2010

I do have a 12 month factory warranty, for the reason the truck was traded on. Previous owner complained and traded due to the nv4500 making noise, which they all do. I'm not one bit concerned with that, I'm more worried about why its leaking or the cause. From 0-100mph there is not one drive train vibration, that I can feel anyways. I dunno, I'm gonna let it go for a while longer and see if it gets worse, or maybe just change the seal and see if it goes bad again. If it does, she gotta come in.

Nytemare · January 19, 2010

I do have a 12 month factory warranty, for the reason the truck was traded on. Previous owner complained and traded due to the nv4500 making noise, which they all do. I'm not one bit concerned with that, I'm more worried about why its leaking or the cause. From 0-100mph there is not one drive train vibration, that I can feel anyways. I dunno, I'm gonna let it go for a while longer and see if it gets worse, or maybe just change the seal and see if it goes bad again. If it does, she gotta come in.

Sometimes seals are bad...they get nicked when being put it, or they are just the 1 out of X number of seals that are crap...

Replace it...it takes like 20 min and about 25 bucks...don't just let it leak...you'll have much larger problems if you do.

Westlotorn · January 18, 2010

Changing a seal is pretty easy and faster than a trip to the dealer but you don't want to void a good warranty.

I checked and GM used 4 transfer cases in these trucks. New Process model 246, 261C and 262C or a Borg Warner 4482.

All of the New Process designs listed use a National Seal Part # 710496 The book says this is a booted design ( the seal has a rubber boot in addition to the seal

The BW design uses National part number 4503N. National has been building seals for years and has a good name for quaility products.

I have changed the 1/2 ton shaft seal but have not done a 3/4 ton in quite a while. If you do it, jack the back of the truck up high so the oil stays put while the seal is out, or it is a great time to change the oil and change the seal while the oil is out.

Good luck

Nytemare · January 18, 2010

Changing a seal is pretty easy and faster than a trip to the dealer but you don't want to void a good warranty.

I checked and GM used 4 transfer cases in these trucks. New Process model 246, 261C and 262C or a Borg Warner 4482.

All of the New Process designs listed use a National Seal Part # 710496 The book says this is a booted design ( the seal has a rubber boot in addition to the seal

The BW design uses National part number 4503N. National has been building seals for years and has a good name for quaility products.

I have changed the 1/2 ton shaft seal but have not done a 3/4 ton in quite a while. If you do it, jack the back of the truck up high so the oil stays put while the seal is out, or it is a great time to change the oil and change the seal while the oil is out.

Good luck

Yeah, exactly...the part is pretty cheap too.

Stranger ranger · January 19, 2010

is this common? i mean 36k miles and a bad seal. i know anything is possible but dang.

gmtech4 · January 19, 2010

you have no factory warranty ,what warranty do you have ?

the deductible is way more than doin it yourself if it's an extended warranty

Westlotorn · January 19, 2010

is this common? i mean 36k miles and a bad seal. i know anything is possible but dang.

No, not common at all. I would check for a balance condition on the Driveshaft. If it has been damaged in some way, 4x4 over rocks maybe? When a driveshaft takes a hit it can cause vibration that can make the seal leak.

Maybe the Ujoints are just worn out causing vibration.

Usually if they don't leak when new they won't start leaking until something changes or they age and get hard. All seals of this type will age. Maybe someone else has a better take on this.

BrockwayMT · February 22, 2010

It happens. No big deal to change. It's been know to happen in trucks that are lightly loaded most of the time. The yoke stays out in an unloaded truck and you get some surface rust on the outer end of the yoke. You then put a load of topsoil in and it pushes the rust into the seal lip and you have a seal leak.

Slip yoke is an inherently flawed design. Lots of problems with rear output seals. Ford uses a fixed flange on the transfer case and they don't have that problem. We tried to sell GM on a fixed flange transfercase but that means a driveline that is $20 more so the vehicle platform groups refuse to allow it. Now Ford is going back to using some slip yokes because they want to save the $20. Everything to do with these trucks is about cost.