Transfer case issues, when it rains it pours!!! Options

[SCCA Stang]

not even a week after getting my GSX on the road..... trouble strikes again!!!

the transfer case locked up on me two blocks from my place

I can't help but think that I screwed up somewhere when I put it back in, but then again, maybe I didn't... (I hope not)

but never the less, I need to get this fixed quick
what's the deal with the transfer case recall????
how do I persue it????
if it isn't gonna be covered, does anyone have one for sale on the cheap, ie, KOU, anyone else????

help as soon as possable will be appreciated, thanks in advance!!!

[ICGerms]

Sorry this took so long. I got it from vfaq.com...

There is nothing wrong with the transfer case - there *is* something wrong with the brass plug in the centre of the transfer case yoke. This plug can leak. If enough lubricant is lost out of the transfer case, it will wear out and lock up. Leakage may cause premature wear on the transfer case even if it does not seize up. The Transfer Case Leak page is a must read on the subject, as are Paul Lyons' definitive posts on the transfer case recall.

There is a safety recall on this problem for all model year AWD DSMs from both Mitsu and Chryco, up to and including mid-1998 models. The wording of the recall is such that:

the dealership will inspect the transfer case yoke to determine if there is a leak or not.
upon evidence of a leak, the dealer will replace the yoke and yoke seal at no charge.
if, in the dealer's opinion, the transfer case has undue wear on it, it will also be replaced at no charge.

***Because of the wording of the recall, transfer cases are not automatically replaced. All the crying and bitching in the world won't change that. However, the transfer case and yoke are warrantied for the life of the car. This is because the recall is a safety recall. Future leaks will be covered under the terms of the recall notice. These terms are not within the discretion of either the dealer or the manufacturer - thus spake the NHTSA, and so mote it be. Do not be afraid to stand up for your rights on this crucial point.***

Many DSMers have been happy with the recall work. However, there have been several reports of owners who have not received satisfactory service from the dealerships performing the recall. The causes include:

no parts available. At one time or other, all the involved parts were reported as backordered.
dealerships not recognizing the transfer case leak for what it is; it is sometimes misdiagnosed as engine oil or U-joint oil.
a DIY repair of the transfer case yoke, which fools the dealer into believing the yoke is not leaking.
dealerships not believing that the transfer case has experienced undue wear as a result of the leak.
Owners who do not get decent service should do the following:
phone the Mitsu/Chryco and NHTSA telephone numbers, listed on your recall notice, to report the difficulty.
Have them intervene on your behalf with the dealer. Dealers and Mitsu/Chryco do not have the power to deny you in this matter. Remember that the NHTSA does not have to guarantee you a replacement t-case!
contact Todd Hayashi regarding your bad experience - he is putting together a list of people who have had problems with the recall. Include your name, your car (year/make/model) and the name and address of the dealership with whom you had problems.
The phone number for Mitsubishi is 1-800-222-0037, for Chrysler it is 1-800-521-2777 (or perhaps 1-800-992-1997). Canadians phone Chrysler Canada at 1-800-465-2001. The NHTSA is at 1-888-327-4236. (Note: Troy Davis reports that one of these numbers may have changed to 1-800-853-1403.)
Mitsubishi owners who have already had the transfer case repaired, either by a dealer or a third party, apparantly have the option to get reimbursed from Mitsu. Details on this are sketchy.


Hope this clarifies the topic for some people,
Joe