Transfer Case - Help !
 

Hi !
Please,I need help.
1999 ML320 - What is wrong?
On max turn left or right - coming noise - some peoples call chatterening.
This is the problem of Transfer Case or front - CV joints.
I am just confused.
On 1999 Transfer Case ratio was change from 50/50 to 52/48.
What I need replace to make working properly.
torque split f / r after 10-19-98 48 - 52

Best Regards.

This is a problem with the transfer case. This is very common on earlier ML's. MB called this "normal" after we replaced quite a few of them under warranty. it is not a safety hazard, although it will get progressively worse over time and get more and more annoying. It used to be that they could only be replaced. MB has now made the parts available to rebuild them.

My transfer case may be going. I get a grinding noise now (definately not brakes) and shuddering at 65 and above. Seems to be from the rear. Sounds more right than left.

Tell me more about these rebuild parts.

I'm no convinced that it's the transfer case yet. It makes no difference whether I'm turning or not or whether I'm in low range or not.

Bearings? CV joints?

Center bearings seem to be a common problem. I'd check that first...

If you mean that mid support bearing on the drive shaft. I replaced that 2-1/2 years ago.

The ML's with the "early" transfer case WILL have transfer case problems!

Time & driving style can cause early failure.

We are seeing WORN out chains on some as early as 125,000 miles.

Best thing to do is change the fluid to synthetic & change it often.

IF failure does happen..get A transfer case from a 2000+ model..

Avoid those sharp turns is parking lots!

This '98 has the original transfer case and it has almost 160,000 miles on it.

Roy Hunter and I drove it around yesterday. The sound is definately coming from center right behind the front seats.

Does anyone have any information about the rebuild kit?

The rebuild KIT is 163-283-00-17..$600.(list).. you will need both OUTPUT seals & a tube of sealer...and about 6 hrs

A worn chain will make a popping sound under a load condition as it slips
Around the sprocket. The diagnosis is to power brake the car lightly. One foot on the brake
And the other on the gas pedal if you hear a popping noise it’s the chain

Thanks!

Do you know what is in the kit? Is there anything else I may need once I get inside? (Besides the output seals).

The sealer part number 003-989-98-20-10 is $13.
The 2 in/output seals are 163-284-00-60 are $8ea. number 83 in picture


Here is a picture of the internals... number 14 is chain kit

The dealer could not find that part number.

They did however find 163-283-00-13, with no expalanation as to what kind of kit it was. List price $590, available in Germany only.

We have several (163-283-00-13) in stock... Have sold 12 in the prevoius year...


AGAIN buying a used one (complete transfer case) from a (junk yard) for a 2000 & later with low mileage is a "BETTER" idea for the DIYer...

Yes, crawling under there, it didn't look too bad. A connector, mount and a couple of shafts.

Now to locate a part...