I'm preparing to change the transfer case fluid in my 2008 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 3.7L gas engine, QuadraTrac 1 full-time 4WD. There is a 4" diameter by 4" long cylinder mounted horizontally to the rear of the transfer case blocking wrench access to the drain plug. It is mounted on 4 long bolts and the cylinder is about 1 1/4" away from the surface of the transfer case, but doesn't appear to actually be connected to the transfer case except for the 4 mounting bolts, nor is there any electrical connections to this cylinder. It almost looks like some sort of counter weight or ballast. I don't see this cylinder in my Haynes manual, nor in any of the online posts or videos on YouTube.


The 1 1/4" clearance between the drain plug and this cylinder prevents getting to the plug with either an Allen wrench or a hex socket. The only way I can see to drain the case is to either cut down an Allen wrench to fit the clearance that I have, or to remove this cylinder, which I don't want to do-there's a lot of rust and I'm concerned about breaking one or more mounting bolts. Anyone know what this cylinder is or the best way to access the drain plug with the cylinder in place? Photos attached.

 

That is a vibration dampener, remove the three 10mm bolts and get the dampener out of the way.

 

It's only there to cancel the inherent vibrations of the V6 and make the powertrain seem smoother. Nothing really important anyway. In my opinion, if you break a bolt, so what?

 

Thanks-it's Saturday morning and I'm getting started.