4wd problem after a drunk guy smacked my parked 2011 RAM 2500 SLT HD cummins diesel 4wd automatic transmission.

[Daram2011]

hi everyone. 1 year ago a drunk guy crashed hard his bmw sedan at my parked truck rear. Struck directly to right side rear wheel, so broke both spring, shocks, rear drive shaft was like an accordeon, and lot more. After 5 months in shop, my truck had returned and looks pretty good, but cant use it because seems like 4wd is engaging by itself and have tyre slipping noise in turns like when you have 4wd engaged in paved dry road. Dealer cant figure it out yet. No 4wd light on in dash. Some times have a ugly grinding noise and service 4wd light came on once (but turned off when restarted the engine). I suspect issue with transfercase (i read a lot of forums about). Tranfer case actuator seem to work fine and 4wd lock and low engages when i turn the dial. Engine sounds normal and automatic shift works normal. Thanks for you help! And sorry for my english.

 

[Daram2011]

 

[Daram2011]

So, after reading bunch of other treads, i removed my front driveshaft. And discovered a grinding noise from transfercase turning the part where driveshaft was. Maybe the chain? I trying to post the video put dont know how to yet.

 

[SouthTexan]

So, after reading bunch of other treads, i removed my front driveshaft. And discovered a grinding noise from transfercase turning the part where driveshaft was. Maybe the chain? I trying to post the video put dont know how to yet.

Ouch! I would have never guesses that was the issue

 

[Daram2011]

Well, i dont know yet what is the problem. Can find a transfercase technitian yet. The only dealer in my country dont repair the transfercase, dont have a new in stock, neither inside parts. And they told me that the last price was 4k usd. I see that in US OEM is like 2.5k and refurbished 1.5k... im watching bunch of videos of people repairing their own transfer case... but if i tear down my one and find the issue, ill be unable to find any internal parts here. Im searching for used parts from wrecked trucks, but didnt have luck yet.

 

[62Blazer]

Well, i dont know yet what is the problem. Can find a transfercase technitian yet. The only dealer in my country dont repair the transfercase, dont have a new in stock, neither inside parts. And they told me that the last price was 4k usd. I see that in US OEM is like 2.5k and refurbished 1.5k... im watching bunch of videos of people repairing their own transfer case... but if i tear down my one and find the issue, ill be unable to find any internal parts here. Im searching for used parts from wrecked trucks, but didnt have luck yet.

The transfer case obviously took a heavy impact via the driveshaft in the accident. The only way the driveshaft could have been damaged like that is when it was pushed into the transfer case. Wouldn't be surprised if the transfer case is cracked.

 

[GsRAM]

If the xfer case was cracked I'd suspect there would be fluid leaking,,but perhaps not.

I would suspect internal component damage though as said. Can you buy one from the US and have it shipped to you?

That was a hard hit to snap those leaf springs like that. Was the rear end scribed and checked real good to make sure items still straight? I would be concerned about that also. Was the truck put on a frame machine and the frame checked for damage?

 

[Daram2011]

The transfer case obviously took a heavy impact via the driveshaft in the accident. The only way the driveshaft could have been damaged like that is when it was pushed into the transfer case. Wouldn't be surprised if the transfer case is cracked.

No leak in trasfercase, no single oil stain. I think there is a transfercase internal damage, but want to discard everything before touch it.

 

[Daram2011]

If the xfer case was cracked I'd suspect there would be fluid leaking,,but perhaps not.

I would suspect internal component damage though as said. Can you buy one from the US and have it shipped to you?

That was a hard hit to snap those leaf springs like that. Was the rear end scribed and checked real good to make sure items still straight? I would be concerned about that also. Was the truck put on a frame machine and the frame checked for damage?

I can certaily buy one in US and bring it here. But 250lbs airfreight will be like 4.5k... the only way will be by sea, it will take minimum 3 months but much cheaper. But want to be sure its trasfer case damage first.
The crash was really hard. Moved the truck like 5 meters, accident was at 3am and sleeping, security called me but didnt heard and just saw my car in the morning, couldnt believe what i was looking! Lol. I doubt rear axle or frame was checked... we only have crappy shops over here. But thank you to remind me that, ill make it checked after solve this issue first!

 

[Daram2011]

As i usually dont use 4wd, i thought about if there is some way to take out the transfercase or bypass it some how. Anyone knows its possible?

 

[GsRAM]

Typically when you want to do what your contemplating, you'd have to change the rear transmission tail shaft cover to one for a 2wd truck. I dont know if that's even possible with these transmissions, or what the cost would be or if you'd need a 2wd complete transmission. You would then need a different driveshaft.

Its probably cost prohibitive and your resale value would take a huge hit, folks typically dont want 2wd trucks, with some exceptions. You may not use 4wd much but if you remove it and then need it at some point you'll regret removing it.

Your in a tough spot that's for sure

 

[62Blazer]

Did they replace the entire rear axle by chance? Just a thought, but if they did replace it maybe the new one has the wrong gear ratio and doesn't match the front? Having mismatched front and rear gear ratios could cause an issue like this.

 

[Daram2011]

Did they replace the entire rear axle by chance? Just a thought, but if they did replace it maybe the new one has the wrong gear ratio and doesn't match the front? Having mismatched front and rear gear ratios could cause an issue like this.

No, rear axle is the same. Rear drive shaft was replaced with a used part. Thank you for the comment!

 

[Daram2011]

Hi there, its a big headache. I think that my truck sale value after fixing the issues is at most 20k (yeah, is much more expensive than US, a new 2021 ram 2500 laramie is like 100k in cash). So spending 5k to replace the transfercase is hard. Anyways, i dont have plan to sell it and probably will use it until it dies. Thats is the reason i thought about oppening the TC my self and if find something broke, just remove all stuff and leave only needed for 2wd if its possible..

 

[62Blazer]

I'm really not sure how practical it would be to modify the transfer case.

One thought would be to remove the front driveshaft and try driving it.

 

[Daram2011]

I'm really not sure how practical it would be to modify the transfer case.

One thought would be to remove the front driveshaft and try driving it.

I already removed the front drive shaft. Issue is almost certain in transfer case.

 

[Daram2011]

Hi guys. Finally found the issue with my truck, it was the transfer case as thought. A part of TC rear facing cover, where the rear bearing of the main shaft goes was broke due the accident that hit hard my rear end. Lot of metal shavings was found and chain was pretty loose. Bc of lack of parts needed to repair the TC, i decided to remove the chain and the broken part soldered in position to hold the bearing in place until i get a new TC from US (will take several months). So far truck rides very well and very happy i can finally use it. Thank you guys for your help! And if you have any recommendation but getting a new TC will be welcome!

 

[LouM]

I take it that the loser that ran into your truck isn't taking care of the damages he caused.