Confirm T-Case Problem

[WaffleStomper]

I've been creeping sound this forum for a while since picking up my LC and finally signed up. Sadly, I need to confirm a potential mechanical issue.

Symptoms: When making slow tight turns (like going into a parking spot) both forward and back, it feels as if there is a rubbing. However going backwards it feels like the wheels are stuttering. I had a guess of what the issue was but took it to Toyota to confirm.

Potential Problem: Not being the type to fully trust the word of a dealership's service department, I'd like to confirm that this problem would be caused by a damaged transfer case. Apparently, when they drained the oil there was metal.

Predicament: They want about 5k to fix it which is more than the LC is worth. So the question is... Rebuild?, Replace, or Junk. I've replaced AWD transmissions and tcases before (granted on an AWD eclipse) and want to know how difficult it is on the LC. Should I just eBay a replacement?

Thoughts?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Sounds like your center diff is locked. Is there a light on the dash?

 

[WaffleStomper]

No lights, no issues at regular speed

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Could be the actuator for the center diff is stuck locked. Super rare on these trucks to get a bad t-case. Now given if the center's been locked a long time and you've just driven with the symptoms you'd described for awhile, the case may subsequently have some damage now.

 

[n55luvr]

CDL locked was my first guess too. Even if no lights are on it can still be engaged. The stuttering you mention is a tell tale sign CDL is on when making tight turns on dry pavement. It's hard to notice at speed and making sweeping turns.

Can you press the CDL and see if it lights up on the dash? Can you see if you hear the CDL engaging?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Good call, CDL could be engaged and bulb out.

 

[AimCOtaco]

But burned out bulbs won't leave metal in your t-case though. Did you see what they drained, are we talking dust, or chunks?

If it's is in fact a rare T-case issue, I would think used ones would be cheap and plentiful. Install sounds like you could handle it at home to me, LC will be a lot more accessible that the eclipse I'm guessing.

 

[n55luvr]

Good point of clarification. A metal slurry would be considered normal IMHO, even a few tiny visible metal fragments happen from time to time and isn't necessarily time to panic. I don't recall if the tcase has a magnetic plug as it's been a while since I replaced my fluids.