Help - tranny self destructing? (slips out of gear)

[beau]

I was driving down the road the other day and the tranny came out of gear at about 45 - 50 mph. There was a gear grinding noise (winding sound) and I put it into neutral and coasted to a stop. Then I put it back into drive and drove away. No problem. I figure I just knocked the shift lever or something.

But then it did it again last night 2x.

Is this a dying tranny? What will it cost to fix? A major or minor problem? Seems to work fine until it just slips into neutral and grinds.

Vehicle is a 97 Sport 4x4 with 105K mi

 

[xmodster3o3]

I don't know what your problem is, but don't get a new tranny till that thing doesn't move anymore, I just had mine rebuilt at 180,000 miles it didn't move anymore. The rebuild cost me about $1000, only beacuse my uncle owns a tranny shop. :roll:

 

[beau]

It has gotten much worse today. I took it in to a local tranny shop and they drove it with me. The guy said he thought it was the transfer case, and that he was going to throw it on a lift to confirm, then give me a price quote.

Anybody know what I should pay if it is "the transfer case." Not even sure what that means, but I'm looking for a price range $500? $1500? $2000?

Any thoughts. Will try to update with additional info as available.

 

[Sallad420]

A Transfer Case is like a mini gear box attached to the back of the tranny. It basicaly "transfers" power from the tranny to the rear and front wheels.

Mine was slipping, not popping out of gears, but I drove it until it died. The complete overhaul cost me $3000 (Canadian) Luckily for me my warranty covered about $2200 of that.

From what I've read on here, trannys do not give you warning, they just die.

 

[beau]

Shop guy called. He says it is the transfer case on the 97 Sport.

He quotes $179 to tear it down and find out what's wrong. $1400-$1500 to rebuild it or $2400 for new, depending on whether it can be rebuilt or not.

Any thoughts on whether I should have him go ahead?

 

[beau]

Told him to go ahead. Not sure what else to do at this point. Transfer case is model F77AGA. Anybody have any experience?