xanderz

Hey everyone.

So a while back I had my transfer case crack and my front driveshaft u joint break. I drive a 1996 Cherokee that has 200k miles and is modified to be a rock crawler. I am wanting to buy a used transfer case and a front drive shaft and fix it myself. I was wondering if anyone had any experience and tips doing this, as I don't have any. Any videos that you have used or instructions on making this fix would be much appreciated. A shop told me it would cost 3000 dollars to fix, and I am hoping to get all the parts for less than a grand and do it myself. If anyone has tips on how to proceed it would be much appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Paul Standaert

This sounds more like a $700 parts and labor job based on the description. I could literally buy ALL the tools, misc supplies, a jack, provide the labor and this and that and still come in under $3,000.

The 231 transfer cases are roughly $100-$150 at the salvage yards around here. They are heavy, but not ludicrous heavy. They are bolted in. The front and rear drive shaft need to be removed to swap that out, which isn't a big deal. There's the shifter linkage and electrical connectors to contend with, but again, not the end of the world. I can't remember if the transmission crossmember has to be removed, but I would plan on it and it kinda sucks to do.

A u-joint is what? $30? Then to properly press the old one out and the new one in requires some tools that aren't horribly expensive. Even if the whole drive shaft is junk, that's not the end of the world, nor super expensive.

If it is the axle shaft u-joint that broke, that's not a difficult fix, either. This sounds like the perfect job for someone who is willing to learn how to do stuff like this. Don't forget to fill the new transfer case with oil.