It seems that an increasing number of vehicles on the road are now becoming four-wheel-drive, as manufacturers look for reliability, stability and cater for a growing trend in customer demand. You may thus be thinking about overall maintenance and how this type of vehicle may differ from your traditional ride. Obviously, the main difference is drive to all four wheels and there is one particular component that is crucial when it comes to achieving this objective: the transfer case. What do you need to know about this component and specifically, how you should look after it?
How the Transfer Case Works
In a two-wheel-drive car, the front or rear wheels provide the traction and the other pair basically come along for the ride. In a four-wheel-drive version a complex device needs to be put in line to orchestrate the power created by the motor so that it is split between the rear and front axles effectively and according to the road conditions encountered. Typically, this case is situated alongside or behind the transmission and is connected to the front and rear through driveshafts.
Within the case are several interrelated gears that can help the driver pick two- or four-wheel-drive and shift between low or high range. When in 2WD mode this case transmits all the power toward one axle without any input from the other.
Random Problems
In the normal course of driving, the transfer case should last for a considerable period of time without issues. On the other hand, you may notice that it is difficult to engage the gear shift, and this could be due to several different internal problems. If the lubricant goes below the recommended level, additional wear and tear could be caused to the gears and bearings, but you should be careful here, as this lubricant is not necessarily the same as the product used in the transmission. You'll also need to watch out for a loose linkage mechanism, as this component can sometimes be complex or multidimensional depending on the configuration of the vehicle. It may need to be readjusted so that it is back in its original position.
Torque Buildup
If you've been driving for quite a distance without any rest, a considerable amount of torque may build up within the transmission system and make it difficult to shift gears. If you come across this problem, pull over to the side of the road for a couple of minutes and wait. Then, shift down into two-wheel-drive mode and begin driving again, before shifting back to all-wheel-drive when your road speed is relevant to the condition.
Scheduling
If you take your vehicle in for repairs on a regular basis you can avoid some of these problems before they occur. When you finally pick up your new vehicle, schedule your first visit right away, just to be safe. Talk to services that can work with 4 wheel drive transmissions to learn more.
Share25 September 2018
I rely a lot of my car as I am a paraplegic. I can only drive a car that has specially modified with wheel controls, so it's very important that I get my car serviced by a company that knows what it is doing. I also need my car to be serviced quickly as I am very limited in how much I can get around without it. This blog has some tips on how to find a car servicing company that will suit you if driving a disability-modified car. I hope it will be useful to other people with disabilities who rely on their cars as much as me.
