Well it was the transfer case itself, whilst at the X specialist (only 1 in Oz) he checked the shift motor but it was working fine, he showed, explained & asked what I wanted to do every step of the way, which was great as you don't get that 99% of the time. The oil in the transfer case (t/c) was like a metal flake paint job or xmas decoration, anyway as there are no new ones in Oz & nobody but this guy does them here he told me the easiest way was 2nd hand, the best way was rebuild. As being a bit strapped for cash (being pensioners) we went the 2nd hand. He had one there that had done 150 000k's (which is less then my X at 179 000k's) so told him to put it in.
As we had not found a place to stay overnight he let us use his pc to find a motel then drove us there himself, about 10-12k's away in Gold Coast afternoon peak hour then picked us up the next day when WE were ready after car finished, how's THAT for service that you don't get anymore.
He also hooked us up with a free 6mth subscription to a roadside assist mob, could only give us 1mth warranty on used part but that's ok, chucked in some Wynn's engine oil conditioner & did a handbrake adjustment as well. Also did a quick check over & warned me of things that will need doing in the future - both bottom ball joints, engine tensioners are starting to rattle slightly & thermostat housing starting to leak into valley.
This all came to $1800 being 1100 for 2nd hand t/c (only 1 for over 600k's) & 700 for labour, wife now thinks he's god (specially for all the "little" things he did) & we have to take it there for everything LOL. He gave me all sorts of info & tips on Explorers, most of which I knew but some I didn't, you guys in the US have to remember that over here in Oz they stopped bring them at the end of 2004 & as such there is nothing & nobody who will even work on them, except for the odd one here & there scattered all over this big country.
Seems to drive better now all round, don't know why that would be???
Even got an e-mail this a.m. (being Monday here) asking how it went on trip home & wishing us a Merry Christmas.
For you guys in Oz this guy seems to specialise in anything American from hot-rods to 4x4's & actually owns a couple of Explorers.
p.s. forgot, he's called GMT Auto's & he's on the Gold Coast
:australia
