Couple more pics if you like carnage..

 

Bummer, at least you didn't have to waste a lot of time diagnosing the problem.
Those 301 horses were hard on the transfer case.
Haven't seen you on the forum in a while, always liked your posts.

 

Ouch.. Never let your wife drive your car

 

So what are the price points for fixing something like this - used, junk yard parts, versus new? And you’re going to do the work yourself (I presume), but what would an independent shop charge (never mind the dealer)...?

I’ve never owned an AWD or 4WD vehicle (for winter driving) - even when living 12 “driving years” up in (southern) New England. When I’m home visiting family I see tons of AWD vehicles on the road these days - more than I ever remember seeing years ago. Makes me wonder if this is yet another one of those cases where the manufacturer has essentially created artificial demand by increasing production and then convincing buyers - through marketing and salesmanship - that they really need AWD, when they don’t.

A failure like the OP has experienced here is probably pretty rare, but prospective AWD buyers take note: do you really *need* AWD? Unless you live in Canada, one of the northernmost U.S. snowbelt states, or otherwise “out in the boonies” where roads get plowed when your town “gets around to it”, the answer is probably “no”. So keep it simple, drive a FWD vehicle, put the up-front ($1500?) savings into your pocket, enjoy the “extra” 1-2 MPGs along the way, and sleep tight knowing you’ve got one less transmission-related failure point to worry about.

 

So what are the price points for fixing something like this - used, junk yard parts, versus new? And you’re going to do the work yourself (I presume), but what would an independent shop charge (never mind the dealer)...?

The dealer wanted $950 for a new one but it is not available due to the current strike. Aftermarket rebuild was $750 with the same 3 year warranty and a weeks wait so I went with that. Labor guide says 4.8hrs so an independent shop around here would charge around $500, dealer probably $6-700.

We live in NJ so AWD isn't a necessity but great to have in the winter. And my wife works on the other side of a small mountain so shes up and down a steep grade every day.

 

I dont need it in Canada either but it is shoved down our throats by manufacturers ..you want a decent vehicle option wise the only way you can get one is with awd as I learned with the Terrain.
We are an easy target for over paying for vehicles because it never gets above freezing here lol

 

Appears the OP is handy with tools... based on his screen name... and has the tools and know how to do the work himself in his garage.
Yeah- should not have happened.

 

Dayum. Looks like every single piece is worked, even the case.

Tom

 

You are correct AfterHoursFab
It should not have happened ..... transfer cases should not fail at 66k miles!

Last January, A Chevy mechanic said (about these AWD Equinox's) ==>>>. "AWD Transfer case tend to go (fail) between 50k and 100k miles...."

Like with other issues on these cars,
Such as blown rear main seal in the winter,
Or oil consumption,
gm would probably say "its normal" for transfer cases to fail.

What can we do as owners?

As a preventative measure,
I immediately changed the AWD transfer case oil in my traverse (was at 70k miles) and my 2013 Equinox (was at 30k miles)
And going forward, I will change the oil in transfer cases every 25 to 30k in all my cars.
Also,
I try to keep cold tire pressures between 35 and 37 psi.
And rotate tires and align tires at every oil change...

Will it ^ help prevent transfer case failures?
Will it make the transfer case last at least 150k plus miles?
Who knows?

 

I’ve had to replace the rear output shaft seal on the transfer case twice. Each one lasted around 20k miles. Both were under warranty (had an extended one). They wouldn’t replace the transfer case. We’ll see if the seal goes again. Not sure if it’s any kind of indicator on the durability of this particular transfer case. 54k on the Nox now.

 

Strange, maybe the rear bearing is a little sloppy? Mine was dry as a bone at the seals..

 

Here is the new transfer case. Also required is synthetic 75W90 gear oil, new sealing o-ring 19132943, and Dexron VI transmission fluid equal to however much came out previously. I opted to completely drain the trans and then it sat for 2 weeks and the converter drained further so I needed 6 quarts total. If you don't want to change the fluid then you can drain about 1 qt out and it should be low enough that you don't take a bath when the t-case is removed.

 

Here are all the parts that were removed to access the transfer case for my V6. Not a terrible job but depending on mileage, age, and region you may have problems with the exhaust coming apart.

 

Tech tip: if you look closely you can see I made a couple alignment dowels out of 12mm x 75mm bolts with the heads cut off. This will help align the transfer case and keep the o-ring from getting pinched or cut and causing a fluid leak.

In the 2nd pic you can see one of the exhaust studs is shorter than the other. I had to heat these nuts with a torch to get them off and then the one snapped the stud when it was halfway off. Luckily there are just enough threads left for the nut to hold.

Also 2 of the tiny 5mm x 15mm bolts that hold the heat shield on the transfer case broke off inside the aluminum so I had to replace those with a dab of antiseize for good measure.

 

Hello kind sirs...I have a question. My 2013 Equinox needs a new transfer case and everyone I tell that to says it shouldn't need one at 53K miles. The dealer wants $3,000 to fix it and I'm disabled on a fixed income and barely have $3 to spare. Is this a normal mileage for them to fail or should I fight with GM about it? I bought it used and of course, my warranty expired in December of 18. I still owe about 12k on it...I know I know...there was nothing I could do at the time, I needed a car so please don't judge

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Debbie

 

Too early to happen, but stuff happens. It is worth complaining to GM, but they may only cut some slack, it will still cost a ton. You can try an independent shop, and it will be cheaper.

 

Thank you so much!! The 'too early to happen' seems to be a running answer from all around. The dealer actually put in paperwork to get some help from GM...it was declined. But they gave me the contact info for me to complain about it myself. Which I intend to do.

Thanks again for your reply...have a great day!
Debbie

 

Anything failing under 100k is too soon in my opinion. Yours went out at 56k, mine at 70k. Get recommendations from friends for an independant shop, it should be far cheaper than the dealership. Tip: don't tell the shop what the dealership wanted to charge you! Still expect to spend at least $2000 tho 😕

 

The transfer case on our 2013 Equinox V-6 AWD failed at 44,000 miles. Chevy does not call back our independent repair shop that is trying to source the part. The local Chevy dealer called the part status as: National Control Part, which means 'it's either discontinued or made on a case-by-case basis'. How do I get a new transfer case? I don't want a used one, that may fail at any moment. What has been your experience on getting a new one? And cost for the parts & labor?

 

Available on GM PartsDirect.
It doesn't say new so might be GM Factory Reman with warranty.
Part number # 23247710 ....$987.63 plus shipping.

 

I had my transfer case self destruct as well. When I bought the Nox 5+ years ago the transfer case was replaced by chevy at 75,000 km. It had been leaking and the first dealer couldn't seem to fix it. Took it to a second dealer who said the case was cracked and put in a brand new unit.

Fast forward 5 years, July 2021 ....... I'm at about 325,000 km so 250,000 on the transfer case. Oddly enough I was turning into a parking lot, same as OP, when all hell broke loose. I knew right away what it was - transfer case fluid all over the parking lot. I am too old and too busy to deal with it so I took it to a garage. I went online and "found" a brand new one from Chevy parts online for @ $1279 CAD. The garage found a used one with 116,000 km on it for $1200 and 6 month warranty - he said the junkyard told him they were hard to find. I offered to pay him extra to make up for his lost part markup so I could get the new one with one year warranty. As an ex-mechanic I knew it was bad form to ask this but the make up cash worked. He was a reasonable guy and I would recommend him to anyone in the ottawa area.

Ordered the part and on delivery day I got a call from the Chevy part place saying it is backordered 4 to 6 weeks from GM. Asked them to refund my money and called a few more places, same story - B/O from GM and none to be found, another Covid victim. Had to call the garage and ask him to get the used one - now the one they had was 130,000 km for same $1200. They offered a reman unit for "only" $2400!!!

I have no idea if the Covid transfer case shortage is now over, hopefully no one else has to deal with things like this.

 

I had my transfer case self destruct as well. When I bought the Nox 5+ years ago the transfer case was replaced by chevy at 75,000 km. It had been leaking and the first dealer couldn't seem to fix it. Took it to a second dealer who said the case was cracked and put in a brand new unit.

Fast forward 5 years, July 2021 ....... I'm at about 325,000 km so 250,000 on the transfer case. Oddly enough I was turning into a parking lot, same as OP, when all hell broke loose. I knew right away what it was - transfer case fluid all over the parking lot. I am too old and too busy to deal with it so I took it to a garage. I went online and "found" a brand new one from Chevy parts online for @ $1279 CAD. The garage found a used one with 116,000 km on it for $1200 and 6 month warranty - he said the junkyard told him they were hard to find. I offered to pay him extra to make up for his lost part markup so I could get the new one with one year warranty. As an ex-mechanic I knew it was bad form to ask this but the make up cash worked. He was a reasonable guy and I would recommend him to anyone in the ottawa area.

Ordered the part and on delivery day I got a call from the Chevy part place saying it is backordered 4 to 6 weeks from GM. Asked them to refund my money and called a few more places, same story - B/O from GM and none to be found, another Covid victim. Had to call the garage and ask him to get the used one - now the one they had was 130,000 km for same $1200. They offered a reman unit for "only" $2400!!!

I have no idea if the Covid transfer case shortage is now over, hopefully no one else has to deal with things like this.

The transfer case failed in October 2021 in our 2013 Equinox V6 at 44K miles. A new transfer case is still not available from Chevy dealers, as of Jan 20, 2022. A Chevy dealer in PA said the part would be available mid March 2022. (I was told in October 2021 that availability would be 'January 2022'.) Is anyone waiting for a transfer case? How long? What did you dealer say. Thanks.

 

Just because they show in stock, does not mean they actually are. Last August I ordered one online at ChevyParts or similar, Chevy dealer in Edmonton, AB. It said in stock, they took my $1400 and then called me day of delivery to say 4 to 6 weeks back order. I found other similar sites and called or emailed, they all had no stock.

Not saying these are the same, but call or email before ordering.

 

Holy carnage batman! I thought mine was bad. Mine just needs a new bearing on the big end. All gears look good. But I have asked 5 places here in Sarasota that do big truck stuff and nobody rebuilds them because you can't get the freaking parts for them. One guy was nice enough to go through GM for me and if you need a certain part you need to buy a 2nd part...in order to get the 2nd part you need the 3rd part and so on and so forth. Totally ridiculous. That same shop is now rebuilding my transmission that finally failed at 150K miles.

 

Our 2013 Terrain Denali has less than 46K on it and it was my parents car new from day 1. I have owned for a few months when I took in to the dealer just before Thanksgiving due to the weird noises. I suspected a final drive or transfer case problem and I just didn't want to try and tackle it myself. This transfer case is not available anywhere in the country. The dealer is capable of doing a national search by part number 84953427. There was only one in New York or New Jersey, I don't remember, back in November and that dealer would not sell it since it was for a customer awaiting it to be installed. The parts department at the dealer said that it has been on backorder since March of 2021 I believe! Supposedly the part is undergoing a redesign but I can't confirm this. A little digging and I believe I found that it is made by Gertrag which is a Germany company which makes manual transmissions and drive components for a very long time. According to the parts department there was over 690 of these on backorder in November of 2021. I'm not sure what that number is as of now. I have also called the local GMC Regional Zone Office back in December. They could not give any direct resolution. When I pressed them about a loaner or a replacement they acknowledged the fact that there is a problem getting the part from the supplier. Also if I needed a vehicle I could rent one and that after my car was repaired I could submit the expenses to GM and that they would reimburse up to something like $43 or 46 a day. A can't imagine how big this rental cost can get to alone for the manufacturer. I suggest anyone with their car at the GM dealer should call the Regional Zone office and let their voice be heard. I am somewhat fortunate as that this is an "extra" vehicle for us and I'm not making any payments on it other than car insurance. I would not recommend to put a used transfer case in your car because this is obviously a problem and you will be repeating the cycle unless your intension is just to sell it off.

 

Same exact situation for us. We bought our 2013 V6 Equinox new, transfer case failed at 44,000 miles, so we cannot risk driving the car. We have been waiting since Sept 2021 for a new transfer case from GM. Time for a class action lawsuit? If anyone else has had a car out of commission, and cannot get a transfer case, I'd like to hear your situation.

 

Similar situation. 2015 GMC Terrain, 2.4l AWD with 79k miles. Transfer Case destroyed last week. Was pulling into a parking lot and started hearing a grinding noise on sharp turns. GMC dealer looked at vehicle and said transfer case was shot. $3,100 for the repair. 2 years out of powertrain warranty and no extended warranty. Dealer said no leaks or other issues they could see that caused it, just destroyed itself. Sounds like the theme is to avoid AWD if possible. No other issues with the vehicle since I bought it new so not sure if I should chalk it up to "these things happen" or start the complaint process as I have never in my life had a bad transfer case issue on any brand of vehicle.

 

I own a 2015 GMC AWD Terrain SLT, 75,000 miles. An object within the transfer case broke loose & shattered the case beyond repair,November 18 2021. It is June 2022, my car is still sitting at the dealership waiting for the part. The service manager stated that GM Rep will not state where the part is being manufactured. Supply chain delays & GM Vendors being understaffed or closed during 2021 has caused a lot of issues.
GM has been paying for my rental vehicle in 60 day increments, at this point the cost for the rental is more expensive than the part plus labor.

I have truly been inconvenienced. The sales person at the dealership had the audacity to ask me if I want to purchase a new vehicle with a $2500 rebate!!
In actuality they should be giving me a new vehicle for free: $13,500 market value, $2500 rebate & priceless value of emotional distress.

Why is not GM loyal to the customer when the assistance is needed? Considering that the transfer case seems to be a reoccurrence with GM, there should be a recall for the part.

 

This AWD Transfer Case fiasco just reminds me how glad I am to not own an AWD vehicle.

I think people have been brainwashed into thinking they need AWD, or that having it somehow makes their vehicle more "valuable".

I've been driving for over 30+ years, a third of that time in New England. I've never needed AWD.

Please explain to me who needs AWD?

Is it the person who lives out in the boonies where the snow can pile up, and where the roads don't get cleared quickly enough for them??? And .. then what (??) ... this person wants to drive through that with their AWD vehicle anyway ????

Don't most people who live in snow belt states live in places where the roads get sanded (or otherwise treated), and then plowed repeatedly as the snow is falling ??? By the time they're on the road ... the roads are cleared. What's AWD doing for you at that point? You hit a sheet of ice it isn't helping you any...

Is there another reason for wanting AWD? Do people want to go off-road, driving up and down sand dunes, or over uncleared paths full of mud holes and exposed boulders??? Is that what they're doing with it?

I've been away from New England for 27 years now, but I've been visiting at least twice a year since I left. I can't believe, during my home trips, how many vehicles I see in traffic up there that have the "AWD" badge on the back end! And this is in areas where I know the roads are cleared (religiously).

And now, down here in a "Sun Belt State": Same thing! AWD vehicles galore!

None of these people in these areas need AWD.

I think this stuff is just being jammed down people's throats by manufacturers and salesmen because it's more money up-front for them, and more repair dollars down the road.

 

This AWD Transfer Case fiasco just reminds me how glad I am to not own an AWD vehicle.

I think people have been brainwashed into thinking they need AWD, or that having it somehow makes their vehicle more "valuable".

I've been driving for over 30+ years, a third of that time in New England. I've never needed AWD.

Please explain to me who needs AWD?

Is it the person who lives out in the boonies where the snow can pile up, and where the roads don't get cleared quickly enough for them??? And .. then what (??) ... this person wants to drive through that with their AWD vehicle anyway ????

Don't most people who live in snow belt states live in places where the roads get sanded (or otherwise treated), and then plowed repeatedly as the snow is falling ??? By the time they're on the road ... the roads are cleared. What's AWD doing for you at that point? You hit a sheet of ice it isn't helping you any...

Is there another reason for wanting AWD? Do people want to go off-road, driving up and down sand dunes, or over uncleared paths full of mud holes and exposed boulders??? Is that what they're doing with it?

I've been away from New England for 27 years now, but I've been visiting at least twice a year since I left. I can't believe, during my home trips, how many vehicles I see in traffic up there that have the "AWD" badge on the back end! And this is in areas where I know the roads are cleared (religiously).

And now, down here in a "Sun Belt State": Same thing! AWD vehicles galore!

None of these people in these areas need AWD.

I think this stuff is just being jammed down people's throats by manufacturers and salesmen because it's more money up-front for them, and more repair dollars down the road.

I'm glad I had it in MA with some of the snow I dealt with. now that I'm in Sarasota the next vehicle I buy will be RWD or 4WD and probably a Duramax Tahoe.

 

Who services the T case oil? Very few folks and how many have failed without a regular 35k mile service.
Also incorrect or mixed size tire can be a factor also on AWD.
Lots of factors including who's performing the services/maintenance.
My ''fleet'' is all AWD or 4wd.

 

2015 GMC Terrain just under 80K and transfer case needs replacement. Thankfully I purchased an extended warranty which is covering a used/aftermarket transfer case replacement and labor. Saves me over $3,000. No leaks just failed. Chunks of metal inside the fluid. This will give me another year to start looking for a vehicle. Staying away from GMC.