What is a Transfer Case Housing and where is it Located?

The transfer case housing holds and protects one of the most important parts of the four-wheel drive (4WD) system – the transfer case itself – and is found on the underside of the vehicle. Four-wheel drive systems allow the engine to drive all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously. The benefit of a four-wheel drive system is that, by being able to drive four wheels instead of two, you have the ability to double the amount of traction applied to the road surface. So, both traction and acceleration is enhanced. This is particularly useful in low-traction conditions where wheel slippage is much more likely to occur, such as off-roading, wet or snowy conditions, climbing slippery hills, or on dirt roads. For these reasons a 4WD system is common on trucks and SUVs including Jeep models.

The transfer case is attached to the transmission on a 4X4 vehicle. Through gears or a chain, the transfer case connects the input from the transmission to the rear and front drive shafts. When four wheel high - “4HI” - is selected, the transfer case shift motor meshes a gear which links the front driveshaft to the rear one. When four wheel low - “4LO” - is selected, another set of gears with a lower gear ratio is engaged that reduces the output speed to both drive shafts resulting in an increase of torque to the wheels. Four wheel low is useful in tricky off road situations, when high torque is needed and speed is not. The necessary gears are meshed by a selector arm controlled by the manual shift lever or by the transfer case shift motor.

How do I Know if my Transfer Case Housing Needs to be Replaced?

The transfer case housing, located underneath the vehicle, is constantly exposed to the elements. It can become corroded or develop cracks and leaks, causing it to lose lubrication. Leaking fluid around your transfer case should be a warning sign that your transfer case is in trouble and may need to be resealed or replaced.

The transfer case housing can also be susceptible to wear from the inside. 4WD vehicles manufactured by General Motors from the model years 1998 to 2007 sometimes develop a problem called “pump rub.” Inside the transfer case housing is an oil pump which helps lubricate the transfer case’s moving parts. On GM transfer cases from the years mentioned above, one of the pump mounting clips could break. The increased vibration of the oil pump would then rub a small, pinprick hole in the transfer case housing. This, in turn, leads to lost fluid, and can eventually damage the transfer case. 

If your transfer case housing is showing signs of pump rub, you will be pleased to know that 1A Auto carries an improved design transfer case housing for those GM models affected by the problem. Our housing contains redesigned clips that hold the oil pump better and prevent pump-rub. 

Can I Replace a Transfer Case Housing Myself?

Replacing the transfer case housing will certainly take some time and effort. We would recommend that you have some prior repair experience before trying to tackle this job yourself. You will need to separate the front and rear drive shafts from the transfer case, and pull the transfer case off of the vehicle. Then you can separate the housing to open up the transfer case. You’ll want to clean the internal parts of the transfer case while you have access to them. Then you can reassemble the transfer case with the new housing, remount, and reconnect the drive shafts. 

Need a Transfer Case Housing Replacement?

If you are need of repairing your transfer case housing assembly, you have come to the right place. 1A Auto has the parts you need, at the prices you need. Our new 4x4 transfer case housings are high quality, aftermarket replacement parts, and have good cost savings over dealer units.

At 1A Auto, we make shopping for a replacement transfer case housing for your vehicle easy - we're here to help you select the right part! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our 4WD transfer case covers, warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online.