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DIY transfercase chain replacement

97K views 102 replies 42 participants last post by  bguild  
#1 · (Edited)
A lot of 04-05 modell V8 equipped SRXs will have to have the chain replaced at some time because the chain gets stretched. I have heard that the 06+ models got a stronger chain. However, I just replaced mine on my 04 V8 AWD model and the only cost was the $180 chain, and some silicon seal from an auto supply store. I ordered the borg-warner 4476 transfer-case chain, part# CT-HV-095, from Cobra Transmission i FL. They offered excellent service. Im not a mechanic and it took me about 7 hours in my small garage.
These are the steps for replacing chain:

1. Raise car and remove exhaustpipes.
2. Disconnect front axel from transfer-case. torx head bolts.
3. Remove transfercase and transmission supportplate/assembly where the rear driveshaft is connected to transfercase in the following order: First remove the to bolts (19 (17?)mm) inside the supportplate/assembly. These are little hard to access. Secondly, remove the four 15mm bolts attaching the supportplate to the car.
4. Disconnect rear driveshaft from transfercase. Torx head bolts.
5. Disconnect rear transmission gearselector/shifter to gain access to transfercase bolts. The bolt one the shifter linkage that has to be removed is one 10mm(?) bolt where the shifter comes through the floor underneath the car. (left rear side of transfercase housing).
6. swing the gearselector linkage away and remove all the 15mm bolts attaching transfercase to transmission. Some of these are hard to access, but not impossible.
7. After all 15mm bolts are removed, pry the transfercase off the transmission. This was pobably the most difficult part of job. Make sure not to ruin the aluminum housing. I used a flat screwdriver.
8. After the transfercase has come loose, put it on a table, drain it, and remove all torxhead bolts from the side, not vertically.
9. After they all are removed, CAREFULLY take the two parts of the housing apart. If one part of the housing is removed vertically, all the gears can fall out, and you wont know which order to put them in. So, take it apart horisontally.
10. Carefully take the chain out.
11. Install the new oiled chain.
12. clean and add silicone seal to one part of the housing. Put the other part sideways back together and install and fasten torxbolts.
13. Grease the shaft coming out of the transmission which goes into transfercase.
13. Follow step 7-1 to put it all back together. Be carefull when installing the transfercase to transmission.
14. Fill transfercase with dexron 3 or better ATF untill oil comes out of the fillport.


Take a ride and let the Northstar stretch its legs!
 
#3 ·
The reason was a loud noise and some vibrations from transfercase under moderately heavy loads. Only when accelerating and slowly going up a steep hill.

I would guess that a "grone" isn`t the t-case. It is not the t-case chain if it goes silent when you let off the gaspedal. Checked your hubs and bearings?
 
#5 ·
05v8awd, good question. I was worried about the sprockets when swapping the chain. Fortunately, the sprockets were in excellent shape. You could not see that the chain had been jumping on the sprockets. The sprockets looked like new with sharp edges. There were no pieces of metal or anything like that in the oil.
 
#17 ·
Excellent writeup, JD. Thanks for sharing the knowledge! I replaced our case chain two weeks ago and the car's running great! Wish I'd have done it earlier. My wife was nervous before I started, so I called the local GM dealership to discuss this problem. They informed no recall and won't give us a break. Further, they do no transfer case repair in their shop but only replace the entire case at car owner's expense. Their ignorance and this write-up made my decision final. We still have the tailpipes off so it's loud to run right now, but 4 exhaust bolts broke off upon removal so I'm still waiting on that order.

Here's some pictures to help anyone else. I referred to them a couple times as well as a service manaul I bought online with diags while putting our case back in the car. I'd have to agree the hardest parts for me were getting the case free from the transmission as well as splitting the case which was also tricky. It took me a little longer doing the whole project because I didn't have access to a lift and worked in only 2 feet of clearance (2 floor jacks and large oak logs to help support heavy front end). Estimation of 6 hours for removal, 3 hrs splitting case/new chain/gasket seating scrub, and 3 hrs mounting back in the SRX. I spent one Saturday removing everything. Split the case the following day then ordered the chain from Cobra. It took a week to arrive as they had it on back order.

Feel free to ask any questions.. The picture link below points to snapfish so you may have to open a free account to view (only takes a minute). I also have a video clip of the northstar with exhaust pipes dropped if anyone wants to hear it. Nice sound but ear piercing to drive. Good luck!

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/s...brandOid=1000/campaignName=ShareeNewReg_30FreePrints_2010Feb/otsc=SYE/otsi=SANR
 
#23 ·
I have a brand new chain I am looking to get rid of if anyone is looking to do this repair themselves. I'll sell it for $149 shipped! A price that can't be beat.

I bought the chain from Cobra Transmissions (ebay) about a year ago to do the rebuild myself as well. But once I got the transfer case out and split in half, I chickened out and just took the transfer case to a transmission shop and had it fully rebuilt with new seals, bearings, and chain (sold to me as a kit, thus my having this chain leftover to sell).

Good luck with the rebuilds guys!
 
#25 ·
Very nice write up!! I'll be using it this week end.
Just one Question..I'm not really that skilled in awd or even 4x4..
when u say "After they all are removed, CAREFULLY take the two parts of the housing apart. If one part of the housing is removed vertically, all the gears can fall out, and you wont know which order to put them in. So, take it apart horisontally"
do you mean the same way it is positioned installed??

Thanks!!
I'm a caddy newb..
1981 El camino..
2005 srx v8 awd aka head ach!!

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im interested in the chain i was gonna order today!!
 
#26 ·
Yes, the same way it is positioned installed.

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About step three in the write-up. Make sure to put a jack or something under the transmission pan to support it when the suppportplate/assembly is released/removed. Othervice, the transmission will only be supprted by the engine-mounts which is not good.