For vehicles that offer four-wheel drive, a transfer case is a necessary engine component. Most vehicles have a front-wheel drive transmission, as the design layout of the majority of automobiles makes this the simplest option. In order to split and share the power generated for turning the front wheels, a transfer case is needed.
Sitting in the junction between the front drive shaft and the rear drive shaft, the transfer case handles incoming power from the transmission while distributing power to turn the rear wheels. Because the transfer case is often used on front-wheel drive vehicles that switch between front-wheel and four-wheel drive, it’s often forced to work overtime, making regular maintenance important.
Trouble with your transfer case can sound like grinding gears and result in choppy performance. If the components inside aren’t meshing together correctly, you’ll hear an unproductive humming noise. Smoke may even emanate from the area, the clearest sign of transfer case distress.