2013 Gl450 with 146k on the clock. No off-road package. I’m trying to figure out my next move/option. Back in April on a trip from Va to Mi, I started to hear popping from the under carriage. Mostly from leaving a stopped position. I researched and found that it was the transfer case chain slipping. I drove it until it was impossible to leave a stopped position going downhill without it slipping. Went to my local German car service center and they could not find a new transfer case anywhere in the country. So I said if I find one, would he install it and he agreed. So I sourced one on eBay. $900 for the unit as opposed to 3000 for OEM. He charged me $800 to install. 3 days later it’s all good and rolling fine. This was May. Fast forward to last month, I bought a 7x14 enclosed trailer in PA. Drove up to pick it up, no issues. On the drive back in MD, I would hear an occasional pop and my heart sunk. This can’t be happening again. The trailer has an empty weight of 2000 and a tongue weight of 600 so it is well within the vehicle’s capability and the only thing I have loaded was 1 motorcycle for in town transport.

So my question is, after I RA this part and they send me a new one, should I repeat this process? I was thinking to fix it and sell it and let someone else deal with the future headache. I have seen pics of people towing large travel trailers and I just don’t understand why I it didn’t last 3 months after replacement. Could it be because it’s a non OEM unit? Thanks in advance.

 

I had the same issue on my 2013 at around 150K. Found a guy on ebay who rebuilds transfer cases with OEM chain and gears. After sending back my old transfer case (he ships his in a large rubbermaid box and encloses the UPS label for return shipping) it cost me about $1,500 + $750 for labor at a local shop. Been perfect ever since, at 175K miles now.

 

how much towing do you do?

 

I'd say mtm is doing it right by buying a rebuilt unit. Otherwise, in buying used, you're getting exactly that: A used unit with no known history. Get yours rebuilt or find a rebuilt but don't put an unknown into your car unless you're ok with it not lasting long.

 

I've actually never towed with the GL, but chain stretching is very common with these cars with high mileage, towing or not. The new chain should last you at least another 100K miles, and towing won't shorten its life.

You likely got a transfer case from another high mileage car, so the chain was on its way out.

 

Has nothing to do with transfer case. Parking lock in transmission