Transfer Case is starting to fail.
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Transfer Case is starting to fail.
My transfer case is starting to fail and I need some advise about rebuilding it.
Does anyone have any info on how I might be able to improve this NV-271D. What brand of parts would you recommend and which would you avoid?
I can bring it in and have it rebuilt for $950 but I have no true way of knowing quality of parts their using.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone have any info on how I might be able to improve this NV-271D. What brand of parts would you recommend and which would you avoid?
I can bring it in and have it rebuilt for $950 but I have no true way of knowing quality of parts their using.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
- verdesardog
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I can't answer your questions but what's wrong with the xfer case? How do you know something's bad?
2006 Big Horn 2500 Ram CTD. IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE LIVING LIFE IN PEACE

- bstefanic
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
$950 seems really expensive. You can buy a used transfer case on ebay with a warranty for like $1100. When I did my slip yoke eliminator a while back I bought a master bearing rebuild kit and that including the labor to do the work ran me about $400 but that was also pulling the transfer case myself which is a bit a pain in the ass so if a shop is doing it they'll probably charge you at least $300 just for that.
Old '06 PW (Sold)- BDS Long Arm Kit, 37" Interco M16's, ATX Cornice Wheels, DT Pro Fab steering box brace, Dynatrac Ball Joints, SY Eliminated Transfer Case, Custom Tom Wood's DS, Dynatrac Free Spin Hubs
'13 Cummins - 4.56s, front ARB locker, Thuren Alien Arms, Stage 6 king 3.0's, LT leafs, 40"s on Trail Ready's
'13 Cummins - 4.56s, front ARB locker, Thuren Alien Arms, Stage 6 king 3.0's, LT leafs, 40"s on Trail Ready's
- 05PWrockcrawler
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Interesting. What's wrong with your transfercase? What's it doing?
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I'm just spitballing here but IMHO, if it is "wearing out", it is because the fluid is too thin or too low.
How many miles & what, exactly is it doing or not doing ?
Bearing failure, output/input bearing ?
I am running a 1 qt ATF+4 & 1 qt Lucas Lube 140 wt gear oil mix, with no issues.
How many miles & what, exactly is it doing or not doing ?
Bearing failure, output/input bearing ?
I am running a 1 qt ATF+4 & 1 qt Lucas Lube 140 wt gear oil mix, with no issues.
Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I don't recall of ever hearing about a t-case failure on this forum or DT either.
- coder
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
This is not very common the NV-271 is a stout transfer case use on 4x4 Ram trucks up to 5500's. $900 does seem high most likely its the labor cost, you can get a new one for about $1328.20 from moparpartsoverstock.com.
Vehicle: 2007 Power Wagon Quad Cab - Factory Options (Inferno Red, Premium Cloth Bench Seat, Light Group, Automatic Transmission, Leather Steering Wheel)
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass
Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Agreed the NV271 is a beast of a transfer case these really don't fail very often... I have heard of one issue and it was due to running improper fluid and it overheated. These transfer cases are pretty much the strongest T case in a factory pickup truck today. These transfer cases are being used to launch 800 horsepower+ diesels at drag strips LOL. Always possible you have defective parts inside though I would try a junkyard. Ford uses the same case in their super Duty trucks as well I believe.
2005 Wagon Standard Cab Auto,Bilstein 5100's,White Knuckle Sliders,Dodge Offroad Diff covers,Cooper St Maxx's stock size, Hardwired lockers,Evo manual sway bar disconnect conversion, DT Pro Fab Sway Bar links
- coder
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Note, if you start looking for a junkyard replacement the NV-271 t-case on the RAM's are specific to the trucks gearing, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, etc. you need the one that came with the 4.56 gears on the PW.
Last edited by coder on Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Vehicle: 2007 Power Wagon Quad Cab - Factory Options (Inferno Red, Premium Cloth Bench Seat, Light Group, Automatic Transmission, Leather Steering Wheel)
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass
Suspension: Carli 3" Hemi Coils, Carli Control Arms, Carli King 2.5 Pin-Tops, Carli Stainless Steering Stabilizer, Carli Trackbar | Synergy 1" Rear Shackle
Performance: Magnaflow Muffler | Magnaflow Y-Pipe
Wheels/Tires: Yokohama X-A/T 35x12.5x17
Steering/Drivetrain/Axles: Carli Front Diff Guard | Dynatrac Ball Joints | Mopar HD Steering Gear
Miscellaneous: Line-X Bedliner | Locker Bypass Switch | Mopar Rock Rails | Odyssey Extreme 65-PC1750T | Performance Friction Brake Pads | Weathertech Digital Fit Mats | Winch Thermal Protection Bypass
- bstefanic
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Fords also use a flange yoke and not a slip yoke so you would need to change our the rear drive shaft
Old '06 PW (Sold)- BDS Long Arm Kit, 37" Interco M16's, ATX Cornice Wheels, DT Pro Fab steering box brace, Dynatrac Ball Joints, SY Eliminated Transfer Case, Custom Tom Wood's DS, Dynatrac Free Spin Hubs
'13 Cummins - 4.56s, front ARB locker, Thuren Alien Arms, Stage 6 king 3.0's, LT leafs, 40"s on Trail Ready's
'13 Cummins - 4.56s, front ARB locker, Thuren Alien Arms, Stage 6 king 3.0's, LT leafs, 40"s on Trail Ready's
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Sorry for the delay. My Serv 4wd light comes on periodically, not unusual for the power wagon. But recently the light has come on without the locker lights blinking. Then about a week ago while in 2wd and flexing the suspension I hear a pop and then another, like when in 4wd and the driveline is binding. It's showing sign of something either binding or broke. 83000 miles. The popping sounds like the chain hoped a tooth but it should only be making that sound if in 4wd.
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I'm using amsoil ATF. I added fluid to see how low the fluid was, took 1/3 of a quart.TwinStick wrote:I'm just spitballing here but IMHO, if it is "wearing out", it is because the fluid is too thin or too low.
How many miles & what, exactly is it doing or not doing ?
Bearing failure, output/input bearing ?
I am running a 1 qt ATF+4 & 1 qt Lucas Lube 140 wt gear oil mix, with no issues.
Have 83000+ miles. Initially I thought it was a rear u-joint but that isn't the case. First indication was Serv 4wd light, then the popping sound from the driveline while in 2wd. Then while shifting into 4lo the shift lever felt mostly normal, 4wd light was a little inconsistent. Wondering if somehow the case isn't allowing the front shaft to spool seperately from the rear. If I'm going to take the case out I'm going to at least put a new chain in.
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
From what I see all the NV271D t-cases where 272 ratio and the differences in the power wagon with 456's is the transmission gear ratio's from the regular ram. I'm referring just to the ratio because there are some other difference between years and automatics and manuals.coder wrote:Note, if you start looking for a junkyard replacement the NV-271 t-case on the RAM's they are specific to the trucks gearing, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56, etc. you need the one that came with the 4.56 gears on the PW.
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I checked out the mopar site and I could only find the NV273's which is the electric shift. I see what your your talking about though, new transfer case at just over 1300.coder wrote:This is not very common the NV-271 is a stout transfer case use on 4x4 Ram trucks up to 5500's. $900 does seem high most likely its the labor cost, you can get a new one for about $1328.20 from moparpartsoverstock.com.
- verdesardog
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
hehe op is mia
he/she must not know what's going on or how a 4x4 is supposed to work....
he/she must not know what's going on or how a 4x4 is supposed to work....
2006 Big Horn 2500 Ram CTD. IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE LIVING LIFE IN PEACE

Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Years ago (2005-08), there were some with this issue IIRC, turned out to be: trans case linkage was not adjusted properly or the bolt came loose that holds the adjustment point in place on the rod, so it was not fully engaged into lo range or high range 4x4. They were not getting lights though. Still, worth checking. Mine popped out of lo range once. I got under & checked, my bolt was about a 1/2 turn loose when i checked it with a wrench. Tightened it up, no more issues.
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Wow, and you wonder why the number of people staying actively involved in the forum, long term, is so small. Nice!verdesardog wrote:hehe op is mia
he/she must not know what's going on or how a 4x4 is supposed to work....
Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
The light has nothing to do with this, but what condition is your constant velocity joint on the front drive shaft? Could that be making the noise? Just thinking..hope you figure it out.OldSchool2 wrote:Sorry for the delay. My Serv 4wd light comes on periodically, not unusual for the power wagon. But recently the light has come on without the locker lights blinking. Then about a week ago while in 2wd and flexing the suspension I hear a pop and then another, like when in 4wd and the driveline is binding. It's showing sign of something either binding or broke. 83000 miles. The popping sounds like the chain hoped a tooth but it should only be making that sound if in 4wd.
2010 with 37" hooves, controlled by numerous Thuren parts and Thuren Custom King 2.5's (Moved to a new home)
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
- verdesardog
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
OldSchool2 wrote:Wow, and you wonder why the number of people staying actively involved in the forum, long term, is so small. Nice!verdesardog wrote:hehe op is mia
he/she must not know what's going on or how a 4x4 is supposed to work....
You still haven't told us what the symptoms are...how can anyone help if we don't know what your complaints are???
2006 Big Horn 2500 Ram CTD. IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE LIVING LIFE IN PEACE

Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I have a thread with my complaints listed and no help has arrived, what do you know about the horn?verdesardog wrote:OldSchool2 wrote:Wow, and you wonder why the number of people staying actively involved in the forum, long term, is so small. Nice!verdesardog wrote:hehe op is mia
he/she must not know what's going on or how a 4x4 is supposed to work....
You still haven't told us what the symptoms are...how can anyone help if we don't know what your complaints are???


2010 with 37" hooves, controlled by numerous Thuren parts and Thuren Custom King 2.5's (Moved to a new home)
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2333
I only do what the majority of the 4 voices in my head tell me to. In most cases, I ignore two of them because one doesn't speak English, and I suspect the other is talking to someone else.
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I can't help but to step in here and say something but I just have to.
First I'd like to say thank you for spreading your knowledge and contributing to this forum.
Second, this problem is a lesson to teach my 14 year old son how to track down information, research a problem and fix the problem. You see I told my son "You want to learn how to drive? You learn to fix, then you learn how to drive." My day has come and gone and most people out there don't know sh*t. There is no way I can teach my son everything I know so I need to teach him how to problem solve, I just don't have the time to teach him myself. People are coming to you for your knowledge, take it as a compliment. My son said "maybe we should check out another site" why? Hmmm I wonder.
Promote the sport and spread the knowledge.
Thanks
First I'd like to say thank you for spreading your knowledge and contributing to this forum.
Second, this problem is a lesson to teach my 14 year old son how to track down information, research a problem and fix the problem. You see I told my son "You want to learn how to drive? You learn to fix, then you learn how to drive." My day has come and gone and most people out there don't know sh*t. There is no way I can teach my son everything I know so I need to teach him how to problem solve, I just don't have the time to teach him myself. People are coming to you for your knowledge, take it as a compliment. My son said "maybe we should check out another site" why? Hmmm I wonder.
Promote the sport and spread the knowledge.
Thanks
- bigblackdodge
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Transfer Case is starting to fail.
I replaced my tcase a few months ago. When I was in 4wd and hard on the gas, you could hear the chain skipping on the gears. I took it apart and found that the inside looked pretty much like a grenade went off. Ordered a new case, put it in the truck. All is well. Could never get my indicator light to work properly. It would like up as 4wd when I was in 2wd, low when in neutral, etc. disconnected the light and called it good. Haven't had a problem since. As much as I would like to just rebuild it, if I gave up the core, I got a discount. I forget how much. Hope this helps. Only a handful of guys on here are dicks. Don't paint us all with the same brush. I've had lots of help just by lookin thru old posts.
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- jeep_boy02
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Position sensor is likely bad. Heard of some chains stretching but I haven't had any problems luckily.
2010 black pearl(PXR) on 35s, bypass harness, gooseneck, CAI, 3" magnaflow catback, bulldog hemi GT.... more to come soon
- 05PWrockcrawler
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Damn I'm lucky mine is holding up because I beat on it regular and pretty hard. If it ever goes out I will probably get an Atlas.
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Re: Transfer Case is starting to fail.
Kudos on teaching your son the right way, vs. the " I'll let daddy throw his money at it " which is so prevalent today.OldSchool2 wrote:I can't help but to step in here and say something but I just have to.
First I'd like to say thank you for spreading your knowledge and contributing to this forum.
Second, this problem is a lesson to teach my 14 year old son how to track down information, research a problem and fix the problem. You see I told my son "You want to learn how to drive? You learn to fix, then you learn how to drive." My day has come and gone and most people out there don't know sh*t. There is no way I can teach my son everything I know so I need to teach him how to problem solve, I just don't have the time to teach him myself. People are coming to you for your knowledge, take it as a compliment. My son said "maybe we should check out another site" why? Hmmm I wonder.
Promote the sport and spread the knowledge.
Thanks
Another valuable lesson for a 14 yr. old , the internet is a microcosm of the real world and there is no shortage of dicks where ever you go.bigblackdodge wrote: Only a handful of guys on here are dicks. Don't paint us all with the same brush.
OldSchool, If you need any info or specs from a 2005-2008 Factory Service Manual let me know and I'll try to help .
2005 Power Wagon