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Changing Transfer Case Chain - 2013 GL450 Offroad Package
Hi All,
Our 2013 GL450 with off-road package has developed the transfer case chain issue with grinding noise at acceleration and turning. I came across the forums here while researching and while there are threads on changing the transfer case chain, they are all about non-off-road package. eBay sellers don’t have a chain for the off-road package. A tech at my local dealer advised that the gear/ratios are different in the off-road version and using the regular chain might cause further issues. We’ve already changed the front axle because a local mechanic thought that was the issue so would prefer not to guess and take a chance again.
Does anyone have experience or know if the regular transfer case chain will work in the off-road package GL450? Also, if anyone has a recommendation for a indy shop in Central/North Jersey, would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry, can't help you with a chain, but as another option, here's a guy on ebay who rebuilds transfer cases for MB, BMW, Porsche etc. It's $4,400, but you get $1,700 back when you ship your old one to him (he ships his in a large plastic box with a prepaid return label). He rebuilds them fully - chain, bearings, seals etc. The one in the link says ML/GLE, but I think it's the same as the GL one. You can send him your vin to confirm.
That's what I did with my transfer case, although mine is without the off-road package. Everything was great from the initial order to getting the money back for my old case. The rebuilt case looked like new and I've now put over 10K miles on it with no issues.
As for the shops in NJ, I've only used Bell's in Paramus/Ridgewood, but their prices are not far from dealers' and they don't like to use your parts. Before I left for NC, a friend recommended Mercedes Computerized Care in Long Island - when I called them about my transfer case, they sounded very knowledgeable and said that if I bring them my own transfer case, they'll replace it for about $750, which I think is reasonable, and that's what I later paid here in NC. You can give them a call and see what they recommend (516) 750-8419
Sorry, can't help you with a chain, but as another option, here's a guy on ebay who rebuilds transfer cases for MB, BMW, Porsche etc. It's $4,400, but you get $1,700 back when you ship your old one to him (he ships his in a large plastic box with a prepaid return label). He rebuilds them fully - chain, bearings, seals etc. The one in the link says ML/GLE, but I think it's the same as the GL one. You can send him your vin to confirm.
That's what I did with my transfer case, although mine is without the off-road package. Everything was great from the initial order to getting the money back for my old case. The rebuilt case looked like new and I've now put over 10K miles on it with no issues.
As for the shops in NJ, I've only used Bell's in Paramus/Ridgewood, but their prices are not far from dealers' and they don't like to use your parts. Before I left for NC, a friend recommended Mercedes Computerized Care in Long Island - when I called them about my transfer case, they sounded very knowledgeable and said that if I bring them my own transfer case, they'll replace it for about $750, which I think is reasonable, and that's what I later paid here in NC. You can give them a call and see what they recommend (516) 750-8419
Good luck!
Thanks for the recommendations. I called the place in LI and they recommended replacing whole transfer case as you mentioned, sounded like they don’t do just chain replacements. I’m looking to avoid spending $3-4K on a reman/rebuild/used unit because the car has been a money & time pit in the 45K miles we’ve owned it (only 130K miles total) and this is the last straw. I’ll try Bell’s tomorrow and hopefully wait to see if anyone else chimes in with experience on a off-road chain replacement.
Looks like on quick look the chain is the same for reg or off road. We replaced only the chain in our tuned 550. Took my buddy at best an hour to pull out and back in. No issues in over 20k miles or more in the last 2.5 years
i used this chain from Amazon
labwork GearTransfer CaseChain A2512800900 Transfer Case Chain Fit for Mercedes ML & GL & R Series 2003-On Transfer Case (HV-091) https://a.co/d/e84Mo7n
Last edited by black06c230; Feb 25, 2023 at 04:48 PM.
Our 2013 GL450 with off-road package has developed the transfer case chain issue with grinding noise at acceleration and turning. I came across the forums here while researching and while there are threads on changing the transfer case chain, they are all about non-off-road package. eBay sellers don’t have a chain for the off-road package. A tech at my local dealer advised that the gear/ratios are different in the off-road version and using the regular chain might cause further issues. We’ve already changed the front axle because a local mechanic thought that was the issue so would prefer not to guess and take a chance again.
Does anyone have experience or know if the regular transfer case chain will work in the off-road package GL450? Also, if anyone has a recommendation for a indy shop in Central/North Jersey, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
call Cobra Transmissions (https://cobratransmission.com [786-472-8500])- When I bought my 13 GL350 the transfer case had 2/3 of a thimble of fluid in it and the chain was worn bad enough to start skipping a tooth when I stood on it. They hooked me up with an OEM Borg Warner chain. I split the case in 1/2 under the car and replaced without removing the complete unit. Probably one of the easiest jobs on this heap of metal. Great knowledgeable people. Since it only holds 3/4 of a quart I am using Valvoline synthetic TFC fluid with a little Liqui Moly MoS2 (1/2 teaspoon full) added. Also, in addition to their internal magnet I epoxied a really strong rare earth magnet to the drain plug and it does collect quite a bit of wear metal. Since it’s such an easy job I change it every other oil change. As a matter of fact I did it today. I think it’s been around 50-55k since I did that job. Level 2 on my DIY scale.
Looks like on quick look the chain is the same for reg or off road. We replaced only the chain in our tuned 550. Took my buddy at best an hour to pull out and back in. No issues in over 20k miles or more in the last 2.5 years
i used this chain from Amazon
labwork GearTransfer CaseChain A2512800900 Transfer Case Chain Fit for Mercedes ML & GL & R Series 2003-On Transfer Case (HV-091) https://a.co/d/e84Mo7n
Thanks but seems to be only for 2014-2019 GL/GLS per the Rock Auto site. When I pick the 2013 year, they don't show a transfer case chain at all. I'm not a DIYer so hesitant to play around with different year parts since the car at least runs for now.
call Cobra Transmissions (https://cobratransmission.com [786-472-8500])- When I bought my 13 GL350 the transfer case had 2/3 of a thimble of fluid in it and the chain was worn bad enough to start skipping a tooth when I stood on it. They hooked me up with an OEM Borg Warner chain. I split the case in 1/2 under the car and replaced without removing the complete unit. Probably one of the easiest jobs on this heap of metal. Great knowledgeable people. Since it only holds 3/4 of a quart I am using Valvoline synthetic TFC fluid with a little Liqui Moly MoS2 (1/2 teaspoon full) added. Also, in addition to their internal magnet I epoxied a really strong rare earth magnet to the drain plug and it does collect quite a bit of wear metal. Since it’s such an easy job I change it every other oil change. As a matter of fact I did it today. I think it’s been around 50-55k since I did that job. Level 2 on my DIY scale.
It is an easy straightforward process. Remove rear driveshaft only, remove all of the case bolts from the perimeter of the case, split it, slide the old chain (HV-091 is the correct chain IIRC) and reassembly is just as easy. I used loctite gasket eliminator to seal the case. Changing the fuel filter is harder in my book.
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