1998 DODGE RAM 1500 FRONT HUB

(6) Remove the mode hub (Fig. 31) from the output
shaft.
INPUT AND PLANETARY GEAR
(1) Remove input gear seal with suitable screw
and slide hammer.
(2) Remove input gear retaining ring (Fig. 32) with
heavy duty snap-ring pliers.(3) Place front case in horizontal position. Then
remove input gear and low range gear as an assem-
bly (Fig. 33). Tap gear out of bearing with plastic
mallet, if necessary.
INPUT AND PLANETARY GEAR
(1) Remove snap-ring that retains input gear in
low range gear (Fig. 34).
Fig. 34 Input Gear Snap-Ring Removal
1 - INPUT GEAR SNAP-RING
Fig. 31 Remove Mode Hub
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - MODE HUB
Fig. 32 Remove Input Gear Retaining Ring
1 - INPUT GEAR
2 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 33 Remove Input Planetary Assembly
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - INPUT PLANETARY ASSEMBLY
21 - 492 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(2) Remove retainer (Fig. 35).
(3) Remove front tabbed thrust washer (Fig. 36).
(4) Remove input gear (Fig. 37).
(5) Remove rear tabbed thrust washer from low
range gear (Fig. 38).
CLEANING
Clean the transfer case parts with a standard
parts cleaning solvent. Remove all traces of sealer
from the cases and retainers with a scraper and
3MŸ all purpose cleaner. Use compressed air to
remove solvent residue from oil feed passages in the
case halves, retainers, gears, and shafts.
INSPECTION
MAINSHAFT/SPROCKET/HUB INSPECTION
Inspect the splines on the hub and shaft and the
teeth on the sprocket. Minor nicks and scratches can
be smoothed with an oilstone. However, replace any
part that is damaged.
Check the contact surfaces in the sprocket bore
and on the mainshaft. Minor nicks and scratches can
be smoothed with 320-400 grit emery cloth but do not
try to salvage the shaft if nicks or wear is severe.
Fig. 35 Input Gear Retainer Removal
1 - INPUT GEAR
2 - LOW RANGE GEAR
3 - RETAINER
Fig. 36 Front Tabbed Thrust Washer Removal
1 - FRONT TABBED THRUST WASHER
Fig. 37 Input Gear Removal
1 - INPUT GEAR
2 - LOW RANGE GEAR
Fig. 38 Rear Tabbed Thrust Washer Removal
1 - LOW RANGE GEAR
2 - REAR TABBED THRUST WASHER
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 493
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

INPUT GEAR AND PLANETARY CARRIER
Check the teeth on the gear (Fig. 39). Minor nicks
can be dressed off with an oilstone but replace the
gear if any teeth are broken, cracked, or chipped. The
bearing surface on the gear can be smoothed with
300-400 grit emery cloth if necessary.
Examine the carrier body and pinion gears for
wear or damage. The carrier will have to be replaced
as an assembly if the body, pinion pins, or pinion
gears are damaged.
Check the lock ring and both thrust washers for
wear or cracks. Replace them if necessary. Also
replace the lock retaining ring if bent, distorted, or
broken.
SHIFT FORKS/HUBS/SLEEVES
Check condition of the shift forks and mode fork
shift rail (Fig. 40). Minor nicks on the shift rail can
be smoothed with 320-400 grit emery cloth.
Fig. 39 Input Gear and Carrier Components
1 - PLANETARY CARRIER 4 - CARRIER LOCK RING
2 - REAR THRUST WASHER 5 - CARRIER LOCK RETAINING RING
3 - FRONT THRUST WASHER 6 - INPUT GEAR
Fig. 40 Shift Forks
1 - RANGE FORK
2 - MODE FORK AND RAIL
3 - MODE SPRING
21 - 494 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(6) Align and install low range/input gear assem-
bly in front case (Fig. 52). Be sure low range gear
pinions are engaged in annulus gear and that input
gear shaft is fully seated in front bearing.
(7) Install snap-ring to hold input/low range gear
into front bearing (Fig. 53).
(8) Install a new input gear seal using Installer
8841 and Handle C-4171.SHIFT FORKS AND MAINSHAFT
(1) Lubricate mainshaft splines with recommended
transmission fluid.
(2) Install the mode hub (Fig. 54) onto the output
shaft.
(3) Install the mode hub retaining ring (Fig. 55)
onto the output shaft.
Fig. 52 Install Input Planetary Assembly
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - INPUT PLANETARY ASSEMBLY
Fig. 53 Install Input Gear Retaining Ring
1 - INPUT GEAR
2 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 54 Install Mode Hub
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - MODE HUB
Fig. 55 Install Mode Hub Retaining Ring
1 - OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - RETAINING RING
3 - MODE HUB
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 499
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(5) Install drive chain around mainshaft sprocket
(Fig. 69). Then position front sprocket over front
shaft.
(6) Raise mainshaft about 2.54 cm (one inch) and
seat front sprocket on front output shaft.
(7) If mainshaft and mode sleeve were unseated
during chain installation, align and reseat mainshaft
in input gear and hub.
(8) Install front sprocket retaining ring (Fig. 70).(9) Install spring and cup on shift rail (Fig. 71).
(10) Insert magnet in front case pocket (Fig. 72).
Fig. 69 Install Front Sprocket and Drive Chain
1 - FRONT DRIVE SPROCKET
2 - DRIVE CHAIN
3 - MAINSHAFT
Fig. 70 Front Sprocket Retaining Ring Installation
1 - FRONT SPROCKET
2 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 71 Shift Rail Spring And Cup Installation
1 - CUP
2 - SPRING
Fig. 72 Case Magnet Installation
1 - MAGNET
2 - CASE POCKET
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV243 21 - 503
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

OIL PUMP AND REAR CASE
Lubricate the oil pump components with transmis-
sion fluid before installation. Prime the oil pickup
tube by pouring a little oil into the tube before instal-
lation.
CAUTION: Do not remove the bolts holding the oil
pump cover to the rear case half. The oil pump
cover is aligned to the rear output shaft inner bear-
ing race and will become mis-aligned if the bolts
are loosened. If the transfer case failure has gener-
ated any debris which may have become trapped in
the oil pump. the rear case and oil pump assembly
MUST be replaced.
(1) Install new o-ring in pickup tube inlet of oil
pump.
(2) Insert oil pickup tube into the oil pump.
(3) Apply bead of MopartGasket Maker, or equiv-
alent, to mating surface of front case. Keep sealer
bead width to maximum of 3/16 inch. Do not use
excessive amount of sealer as excess will be displaced
into case interior.
(4) Align oil pump with mainshaft and align shift
rail with bore in rear case. Then install rear case and
oil pump assembly (Fig. 73).
(5) Install 4-5 rear case-to front case bolts (Fig. 74)
to hold rear case in position. Tighten bolts snug but
not to specified torque at this time.
CAUTION: Verify that shift rail, and case alignment
dowels are seated before installing any bolts. Case
could be cracked if shaft rail or dowels are mis-
aligned.(6) Apply LoctiteŸ 242 to remainder of rear case-
to-front case bolt threads and install bolts. Tighten
bolts to 20-27 N´m (15-24 ft. lbs.),
(7) Install rear output bearing snap-ring (Fig. 75)
to output shaft.
SEAL BOOT AND SHIFT MOTOR ASSEMBLY
(1) Install the front output shaft seal slinger with
Installer 8840. Install the slinger onto the shaft until
the tool contacts the rear of the output shaft.
(2) Install a new seal boot clamp onto the seal
boot.
(3) Install the seal boot and clamp onto the slinger
hub and tighten the clamp with Crimp Tool
C-4975-A.
Fig. 73 Install Rear Case
1 - REAR CASE
2 - FRONT CASE
Fig. 74 Install Case Bolts - Typical
1 - REAR CASE
2 - FRONT CASE
3 - BOLT
Fig. 75 Install Output Shaft Retaining Ring
1 - REAR OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING
3 - RETAINING RING
4 - TRANSFER CASE
21 - 504 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

(3) Remove the front propeller shaft seal boot (Fig.
80).
(4) Remove the front output shaft seal slinger by
bending (Fig. 81) the slinger ears away from the
transfer case.
(5) Using a suitable pry tool (Fig. 82), remove the
slinger from the output shaft using care not to dam-
age the shaft.
(6) Using a screw and a slide hammer, remove the
front output shaft seal.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the new front output shaft seal with
Installer MB991168A
(2) Install the front output shaft seal slinger with
Installer 8840. Install the slinger onto the shaft until
the tool contacts the rear of the output shaft.
(3) Install a new seal boot clamp onto the seal
boot.
(4) Install the seal boot and clamp onto the slinger
hub and tighten the clamp with Crimp Tool
C-4975-A.
(5) Install front propeller shaft (Refer to 3 - DIF-
FERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/PROPELLER SHAFT/
PROPELLER SHAFT - INSTALLATION).Fig. 80 Remove Seal Boot
1 - SEAL BOOT
2 - SEAL SLINGER
Fig. 81 Bend Slinger Ears
1 - SLINGER
2 - BEND UPWARD
Fig. 82 Remove Slinger From Shaft
1 - SLINGER
2-PRYTOOL
21 - 508 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL (Continued)

IDENTIFICATION
A circular ID tag is attached to the rear case of
each transfer case (Fig. 1). The ID tag provides the
transfer case model number, assembly number, serial
number, and low range ratio.
The transfer case serial number also represents
the date of build.
OPERATION
The input gear is splined to the transmission out-
put shaft. The input gear drives the mainshaft
through the planetary assembly and range sleeve.
The front output shaft is operated by a drive chain
that connects the shaft to a drive sprocket on the
mainshaft. The drive sprocket is splined to a differ-
ential assembly. Depending on the position of the
mode fork and sleeve, the front output shaft is driven
directly by the mainshaft or through the differential.
The mode fork operates the mode sleeve and hub.
The sleeve and hub are not equipped with a synchro-
nizer mechanism for shifting.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRANSFER CASE - NV244
DIAGNOSIS CHART
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
Transfer case difficult to shift or will
not shift into desired range.1) Transfer case electronically
controlled shift system malfunction.1) Verify proper operation per the
appropriate diagnostic manual.
2) Insufficient or incorrect lubricant. 2) Drain and refill transfer case with
the correct quantity of MoparTAT F
+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
3) Internal transfer case
components binding, worn, or
damaged.3) Repair or replace components as
necessary.
Transfer case noisy in all drive
modes.1) Insufficient or incorrect lubricant. 1) Drain and refill transfer case with
the correct quantity of MoparTAT F
+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
2) Internal transfer case
components binding, worn, or
damaged.2) Repair or replace components as
necessary.
Transfer case noisy while in, or
jumps out of, 4LO.1) Transfer case not completely
engaged in 4LO position.1) While rolling 2-3 MPH and the
transmission in NEUTRAL, or the
clutch depressed on vehicles
equipped with a manual
transmission, shift the transfer case
to the AWD or 4HI position, and
then back into the 4LO position.
2) Range fork damaged, inserts
worn, or fork is binding on the shift
rail.2) Repair or replace components as
necessary.
3) Low range gear worn or
damaged.3) Repair or replace components as
necessary.
Fig. 1 Fill/Drain Plug And I.D. Tag Locations
1 - I.D. TAG
2 - FILL PLUG
3 - DRAIN PLUG
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV244 GENII 21 - 513
TRANSFER CASE - NV244 GENII (Continued)