96 Explorer 2 Door transfer case problem

[Evan Burgess]

I was under my explorer the other night and I saw a leak from the transfer case right here. Its soaked the wheel on the back (Pic here isn't mine but its the exact same.) I have been experiencing my manual transmission shuddering while in idle and while driving as well as its hard to shift in on occasion. Could it be related to the transfer case?

 

[RangerX]

Behind that round damper are the fill and drain holes, maybe one is leaking?
Also, it might not be the tcase that’s leaking. Possibilities include the transmission leaking and blowing rearward from wind while driving. Same for engine oil.
Tcase and trans will have ATF in them, inspect the fluid that’s leaking and see what it is.
If it’s not the drain/fill plugs, I’d look next at the top of the trans up just behind the shifter, at the three rubber plugs, they are known to dry rot and leak.