Topic: This can't be good...

[JFanaselle]

While running the lines for my OBA system under the rig today, I noticed a substantial amount of oil around the transfer case. Further investigation quickly led to the conclusion that I have a leaking transfer case seal where the front drive shaft attaches. Looks to have just started within the past few days (based on the very small amount of oil that has accumulated thus far). It's going to the dealership first thing in the morning (still under warranty), but I have a strong feeling they're going to spend the morning diagnosing it, and tell me to bring it back Monday after the parts come in. I have this feeling because the tech who will be working on it, who is a buddy of mine, told me via text today to expect that very thing since he has the weekend off. I may get lucky and they'll have the parts in stock and he can do the whole job tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll have him top the fluid off tomorrow so I can drive it to Duff Man's house on Saturday.

I'm just glad this was noticed now, before the bradshaw run. Serves as a good reminder to give everything a thorough inspection before a trip out to the desert. I only have 52k miles.

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[Celt]

 Man looking for leaks would make me pull off the skid plates. Besides layers of dust seems to solidify any leaks pretty good. Kinda like redneck silly putty.

[Motorpig77]

Hey Joe,

SOOOOO...while I was Titan Swapping last weekend I noticed the same thing.  Unfortunately for me, it was the propeller shaft seal, it was the actual Transfer Case seal.  It took 7 days for the parts to come in, BUT the dealer knocked out the work in three hours.  Get to the Dealer ASAP so they can get the parts on order!!!

[JFanaselle]

That sucks Clint. Mine really looks to be coming from the shaft seal. There is even a little ring of oil all around - on the underside of the body tub, on the muffler heat shroud, etc - that looks to be the oil flinging up as the shaft is spinning. Keeping my fingers crossed that the parts are a little easier to come by.

The tech told me he actually repaired the same issue on a 4X4 frontier yesterday. He said the shaft seal and flange that cover it have actually been redesigned by Nissan because this design fails often, and that the parts that will be installing will be the new ones. Not sure if he was feeding me BS or not, but he's an old buddy of mine so I doubt he'd feed me a bunch of crap.

Either way - keeping my fingers crossed that this won't stop me from making the Bradshaw run. I'll be in the dealership at 8:00 tomorrow and let you know how it goes.

[RBduffer]

Good news that you caught it now! 
I noticed your posting times, don't you guys sleep?
I'm missing a whole world out there

[JFanaselle]

Ironically, I have not been sleeping very much lately.  A few hours a night is a good night for me these days.

Unfortunately, Motorpig77's prediction was pretty much spot on. The parts were ordered this morning, but it's a 5-7 day wait for them. With any luck, They'll show up Tuesday or Wednesday of next week and I'll try to have the work done the same day if possible. I am hoping like heck that this doesn't get in the way of the Bradshaw run. 

[Motorpig77]

Sorry I was right,  I was hoping to be wrong  on this one...keeping my fingers crossed for you too! 

[JFanaselle]

Leaky transfer case shaft seal is all repaired and bone dry. Ready for the desert!

While the tech was test driving it, his "trained ear" thought he heard a whine coming from somewhere within the drivetrain at around 55 mph. He installed some kind of audio sensors on the rig and drove it around and narrowed the whine down to the rear diff. Checked the fluid and found metal shavings, and the fluid was nasty.

As a result, I'm now rolling with a completely new final drive assembly, including a complete rear axle with new diff, and new rotors and calipers. Apparently Nissan would rather replace the full assembly under warranty than actually rebuild the diff because it's less labor and therefore less expensive.

[Celt]

Leaky transfer case shaft seal is all repaired and bone dry. Ready for the desert!

While the tech was test driving it, his "trained ear" thought he heard a whine coming from somewhere within the drivetrain at around 55 mph. He installed some kind of audio sensors on the rig and drove it around and narrowed the whine down to the rear diff. Checked the fluid and found metal shavings, and the fluid was nasty.

As a result, I'm now rolling with a completely new final drive assembly, including a complete rear axle with new diff, and new rotors and calipers. Apparently Nissan would rather replace the full assembly under warranty than actually rebuild the diff because it's less labor and therefore less expensive.

 Glad you are back up and running....

[GreenGoon]

Glad you'll be ready for this weekend.

[0317]

Dang that's sweet, wish I had a warranty.

[knightrider]

what dealer was this, i totally need a new dif wink wink

[Motorpig77]

Ya know...I think I hear a whine coming from my a$$ too!!!  Maybe I should go see him next!