GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cause

Correction

DEFINITION: A visible indication of an external fluid leak from the transfer case.

Review the Symptoms - Transfer Case and perform the necessary inspections.

Drain plug or fill plug leak

  1. Inspect the drain or fill plug gasket for being faulty.
  2. Install the plugs correctly. Refer to Transfer Case Fluid Replacement .

Hole plug leaking

Replace the access hole sealer.

Vehicle speed sensor (VSS) leaking

  1. Remove the VSS.
  2. Inspect for the following conditions:
  3. • Cross threaded
    • Cut or damaged O-ring seal
    • VSS over tightened causing deformation in the VSS
  4. Replace the VSS O-ring seal, if faulty. Refer to Transfer Case Speed Sensor Replacement .
  5. Replace the VSS, if faulty. Refer to Transfer Case Speed Sensor Replacement .

Rear output shaft seal leaking

  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
  2. • Overfilled or improper transfer case fluid
    • Blocked vent
    • Seal improperly installed, worn, or damaged
    • Seal bore damaged or cracked
    • Rear output shaft bushing for excessive wear
    • Slip yoke seal surface for wear or pitting
  3. Repair or replace the following components, if found faulty:
  4. • Adjust or replace the transfer case fluid. Refer to Transfer Case Fluid Replacement .
    • Clean or properly route the vent hose.
    • Replace the slip yoke if the surface could cause leakage. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement , One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement.
    • Replace the rear bushing, if worn. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.
    • Replace the rear case half if the seal bore is damaged. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.
    • Replace the rear output shaft seal. Refer to Rear Output Shaft Seal Replacement .

Front output shaft area leak

  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
  2. • Overfilled or improper transfer case fluid
    • Blocked vent
    • Loose yoke flange nut
    • Missing or damaged yoke flange O-ring seal
    • Yoke flange seal surface worn or damaged
    • Seal improperly installed, worn or damaged
    • Seal bore damaged or cracked
  3. Repair or replace the following components, if found faulty:
  4. • Adjust or replace the transfer case fluid. Refer to Transfer Case Fluid Replacement .
    • Clean or properly route the vent hose.
    • Replace the front case half if the seal bore is damaged. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.
    • Replace the yoke flange nut and O-ring seal if loose. Refer to Front Output Shaft Seal Replacement .
    • Replace the front output shaft seal. Refer to Front Output Shaft Seal Replacement .
    • Replace the front yoke flange if seal surface is faulty. Refer to Front Output Shaft Seal Replacement .

Control actuator shaft seal leaking

Replace the control actuator shaft seal. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.

Leaking at the vent tube

    • Transfer case overfilled
        Inspect for the correct transfer case fluid level. Refer to Transfer Case Fluid Replacement .
    • Replace a damaged or broken vent and seal the vent pipe with the correct sealer. Refer to Transfer Case Assemble.

Leak at transfer case adapter weep hole - automatic transmission only

  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
  2. • Transmission fluid level low
    • Transmission rear seal for leaking
    • Transfer case input shaft seal for leaking
    • Cup plug in transfer case input shaft for leaking
  3. Repair or replace the following components, if found faulty:
  4. • Replace the transmission rear seal, if leaking.
    • Replace the transfer case input shaft seal.
    • Inspect for the following conditions:
       - Seal improperly installed, worn or damaged
       - Seal bore damaged or cracked
       - Input shaft seal surface worn, grooved or damaged
    • Replace the cup plug in the input shaft if leaking. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.

Leak at transfer case mounting weep hole - manual transmission only

  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
  2. • Transmission fluid level low
    • Transmission rear seal for leaking
    • Transfer case input shaft seal for leaking
    • Cup plug in transfer case input shaft for leaking
  3. Repair or replace the following components, if found faulty:
  4. • Replace the transmission rear seal if leaking.
    • Replace the transfer case input shaft seal if leaking.
    • Inspect for the following conditions:
       - Seal improperly installed, worn, or damaged
       - Seal bore damaged or cracked
       - Input shaft seal surface worn, grooved, or damaged
    • Replace the input shaft if the seal surface is worn. The rear output shaft seal, of the manual transmission, seals on the input shaft of the transfer case.
    • Replace the cup plug in the input shaft, if leaking. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.

Case leaking

  1. Inspect for a cracked case or case porosity.
  2. Replace the faulty case half. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.

Front case half to rear case half seam leak

Disassemble and seal the case halves. Refer to Transfer Case Assemble.

Switch leaks

  1. Remove the NEUTRAL switch or 2/4 indicator switch, if leaking.
  2. Inspect for a faulty gasket.
  3. Replace the faulty switch gasket. Refer to Transfer Case Neutral Switch Replacement or Transfer Case 2/4 Indicator Switch Replacement .

Shift shaft detent plug leaking

  1. Inspect the leaking plug for the following conditions:
  2. • Proper sealant
    • Stripped or damaged threads on the plug or the case.
    • Incorrectly tightened
  3. Replace the detent plug, if faulty, and install correctly. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.

Shift shaft plugs leaking

Replace the leaking shift shaft plug. Refer to Transfer Case Disassemble and Transfer Case Assemble.