The transfer case helps send power to the wheels in all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles. If you have issues with your transfer case, you’ll have to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Replacement cost can range from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your vehicle, while repair costs will vary depending on the type of fix required. For example, replacing an output shaft seal will typically cost around $350, while more complex repairs can run into the thousands of dollars.
Here’s a closer look at what a transfer case is, the factors that affect transfer case repair and replacement costs, and options for financing repairs.
Key Points
• Replacing a transfer case can be expensive, with costs ranging from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the vehicle and specific issues involved.
• Repair costs vary widely; for instance, replacing an output shaft seal may cost around $350, while more complex repairs can escalate into thousands of dollars.
• Signs of a bad transfer case include unusual sounds coming from underneath your car, fluid under your vehicle, your car not staying in four-wheel drive, and your car not shifting into a low gear.
• Regular maintenance, including checking for leaks and ensuring proper fluid levels, is crucial to prevent transfer case failures and avoid costly repairs.
• If paying out-of-pocket isn’t feasible, options like personal loans, credit cards, or auto loan refinancing can help manage the financial burden of transfer case repairs or replacements.
Transfer Case Repair and Replacement Cost Breakdown
The chief factors that will affect transfer case repair and replacement costs are parts and labor. On average, you can expect to pay a mechanic between $75 and $130 per hour. Rates will vary depending on where you live, with mechanics in big cities, for example, possibly charging more than those in more suburban or rural areas. Removal and replacement of a transfer case takes about 3.5 hours. It’s a heavy component, so it may require more than one set of hands to complete the task.
In addition to labor costs to replace a transfer case, you can expect the cost of parts to be about $2,400, on average, while labor will likely cost between $650 and $975.
There is a wide range of costs associated with transfer case repairs depending on what the issue is. For example, if there is a hole in your transfer case, you may be able to replace half of it instead of the whole thing. That could cost you $450 to $675, with parts costing $115 to $150. Replacing a damaged encoder ring could cost you $425 to $800, with parts costing $30 to $60. While labor costs for these fixes may be high, it is still cheaper than replacing the transfer case entirely.
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Getting an Estimate
Get estimates from multiple mechanics to ensure you’re getting the best deal for the repair or replacement of your transfer case.
You may want to start by consulting online tools like Kelley Blue Book’s Repair Pricing Tool or the Consumer Report’s Car Repair Estimate. They can give you an estimate of the price range you can expect to pay in your area for the make and model of your car. This range can act as a benchmark against which you can compare estimates from local mechanics to determine if you are getting a fair price.
Before settling on a mechanic, be sure to look up reviews to see if other customers have had trouble in the past. You can also look them up on the Better Business Bureau to see if they’ve received any recent complaints.
What Is a Transfer Case?
A transfer case is a vital component in four-wheel-drive (4WD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles that distributes power from the transmission to the front and rear axles. It allows a vehicle to switch between 2WD and 4WD modes and may include gear ranges for off-road or low-traction conditions, enhancing traction and control.
Why Do Transfer Cases Fail?
Transfer cases can fail for several reasons, often due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance. Common causes include:
• Low or contaminated fluid – Insufficient or dirty transfer case fluid can lead to overheating and internal damage.
• Worn bearings or gears – Over time, components inside the case can wear out or become damaged.
• Faulty seals – Leaking seals can cause fluid loss and allow contaminants in.
• Electrical or sensor failure – Modern transfer cases rely on electronics to shift; faulty sensors or control modules can prevent proper operation.
• Improper use – Frequently switching in and out of 4WD incorrectly, or using 4WD on dry pavement, can put unnecessary strain on the system.
Regular maintenance, including fluid checks and replacing worn components, helps prevent failure.
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Signs of a Bad Transfer Case
Keep an eye out for these common signs that your transfer case is failing.
Unusual sounds: A failing transfer case could cause grinding, humming, or whirring sounds that come from under your vehicle.
Fluid under your vehicle: Low fluids are one of the number one reasons that transfer cases fail. Pooling liquid under your vehicle could be a sign that your transfer case is leaking.
Your car won’t stay in four-wheel drive: If your transfer case is not functioning properly, your car may have trouble staying in four-wheel drive.
Your car won’t shift into low gear: A four-wheel drive system has a low gear that allows your vehicle to creep slowly in rough conditions. If your car can’t shift into this low gear, your transfer case may be malfunctioning.
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Can I Drive With a Bad Transfer Case?
It’s not a good idea to drive with a bad transfer case. It could, for example, cause your car to jump in and out of four-wheel drive mode unexpectedly. If you allow damage to persist and get worse, there could be ripple effects on other parts of your vehicle, such as the transmission, drive shaft, and axles. If these get damaged, you could end up having to repair or replace other expensive components, as well.
4 Ways to Cover Transfer Case Replacement Costs
Consider the following ways to cover the cost of transfer case replacement.
Cash Savings
Cash savings, such as an emergency fund, will allow you to pay for a transfer case replacement and is the cheapest way to cover costs, as there are no fees or interest on cash transactions. Consider setting aside some money in a cash savings account to cover the cost of car repairs.
Credit Cards
If you don’t have cash on hand, you could consider a credit card. However, be aware that if you carry a balance on your card, you will owe interest, which can be higher than 20%. If you carry a balance for more than one month, your interest payments will compound. This means you’ll owe interest on your interest, and you can end up in deep cycles of debt.
As a result, credit cards are best used when you know you will be able to pay them off each month.
Personal Loans
Personal loans may be a cheaper alternative to credit cards for financing car repair. They allow individuals to borrow a lump sum, which the borrower agrees to pay off in regular monthly installments with interest. Interest rates may be significantly lower than credit card rates.
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Auto Loan Refinancing
You may also consider auto loan refinancing. When you refinance, you pay off your old loan with a new loan, ideally one with a lower interest rate, which can save you money over the life of your loan. You can put that savings toward other expenses, including car repair.
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The Takeaway
Transfer case replacement can be one of the most expensive items to replace in your vehicle. However, if yours is faulty, it’s necessary to fix or replace it to prevent further damage to your car. Signs of a bad transfer case include strange noises coming from the engine, leaking fluid, or your car not shifting into lower gears. If you notice any of these signs, take your vehicle to the mechanic as soon as possible.
If you’re seeking auto loan refinancing, SoFi is here to support you. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop and compare financing options for your car in minutes.
FAQ
Can I continue driving my vehicle with a faulty transfer case?
You should not drive with a faulty transfer case. Driving with a faulty transfer case could damage other components of your car or you could find yourself in unsafe driving conditions, such as having your vehicle slip into four-wheel drive unexpectedly.
Are there different types of transfer cases for different vehicles?
Yes, the type of transfer case depends on whether your vehicle has part-time four-wheel drive, full-time four-wheel drive, active four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive.
Can a transfer case be repaired, or does it need to be replaced entirely?
It is possible that your transfer case will only need a small repair, which can be significantly cheaper than replacing the entire component.
How long does it take to repair or replace a transfer case?
A transfer case will typically take 3.5 hours to replace. Repair times will vary depending on how complicated the repair is.
Does the make and model of the vehicle affect the cost of transfer case repair or replacement?
The make and model of your car will determine what type of transfer case you need to purchase and how long it takes to replace. Both of these factors will affect cost.
Photo credit: iStock/g-stockstudio
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