1998 DODGE RAM 1500 vin

Condition Possible Cause Correction
Noisy in, or jumps out of, four wheel
drive low range.1) Transfer case not completely
engaged in 4L position.1) With the transmission in
NEUTRAL, or the clutch depressed
in the case of a manual
transmission and the vehicle moving
under 3-4 km/h (2-3 mph), shift the
transfer case to NEUTRAL and then
shift into the 4L position.
2) Shift linkage out of adjustment. 2) Adjust linkage.
3) Shift linkage loose or binding. 3) Tighten, lubricate, or repair
linkage as necessary.
4) Range fork damaged, inserts
worn, or fork is binding on the shift
rail.4) Disassemble unit and repair as
necessary.
5) Low range gear worn or
damaged.5) Disassemble unit and repair as
necessary.
Lubricant leaking from output shaft
seal or vent.1) Transfer case overfilled. 1) Drain lubricant to the correct
level.
2) Vent closed or restricted. 2) Clear or replace vent as
necessary.
3) Output shaft seals damaged or
installed incorrectly.3) Replace seal as necessary.
Check to ensure that another
component, the propeller shaft slip
yoke for example, is not causing
damage to seal.
Abnormal tire wear. 1) Extended operation on hard, dry
surfaces in the 4H position.1) Operate vehicle in the 2H
position on hard, dry surfaces.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove skid plate, if equipped. (Refer to 13 -
FRAMES & BUMPERS/FRAME/TRANSFER CASE
SKID PLATE - REMOVAL)
(3) Position drain oil container under transfer
case.
(4) Remove transfer case drain plug and drain
lubricant into container.
(5) Disconnect vent hose and transfer case position
sensor connector.
(6) Disconnect shift rod from grommet in transfer
case shift lever, or from floor shift arm whichever
provides easy access. Use channel lock style pliers to
press rod out of lever grommet.
(7) Support transmission with jack stand.
(8) Mark front and rear propeller shafts for assem-
bly reference.(9) Remove front and rear propeller shafts. (Refer
to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/PROPELLER
SHAFT/PROPELLER SHAFT - REMOVAL)
(10) Support transfer case with suitable jack.
Secure transfer case to jack with safety chains.
(11) Remove nuts attaching transfer case to trans-
mission.
(12) Move transfer case assembly rearward until
free of transmission output shaft.
(13) Lower jack and move transfer case from
under vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY
Position transfer case in a shallow drain pan.
Remove drain plug and drain any remaining lubri-
cant remaining in case.
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII 21 - 417
TRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII (Continued)

(2) Loosen rear case with pry tool to break sealer
bead. Insert tool in slot at each end of case (Fig. 12).
(3) Unseat rear case from alignment dowels.
(4) Remove rear case and oil pump assembly from
front case (Fig. 13).
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 bearing
inner 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.FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT AND DRIVE CHAIN
(1) Remove shift rail cup and spring (Fig. 14).
(2) Remove front sprocket retaining ring (Fig. 15).
Fig. 12 Loosen Case Halves
1 - REAR CASE
2 - FRONT CASE
3 - PRY SLOTS
Fig. 13 Remove Rear Case
1 - REAR CASE
2 - FRONT CASE
Fig. 14 Shift Rail Cup And Spring Removal
1 - SHIFT RAIL
2 - SPRING
3 - CUP
Fig. 15 Removing Front Sprocket Retaining Ring
1 - FRONT SPROCKET
2 - RETAINING RING
3 - FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT
21 - 420 TRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENIIDR
TRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII (Continued)

(3) Using Installer 6436 and Handle C-4171 (Fig.
45), remove front output shaft bearing.
(4) Start front output shaft bearing in case. Then
seat bearing with Handle C-4171 and Installer 6953.
(5) Install front output shaft bearing retaining
ring.
(6) Remove input gear pilot bearing by inserting a
suitably sized drift into the splined end of the input
gear and driving the bearing out with the drift and a
hammer (Fig. 46).
(7) Install new pilot bearing with Remover/In-
staller 8684.(8) Remove the front output shaft rear bearing
with the screw and jaws from Remover L-4454 and
Cup 8148 (Fig. 47).
Fig. 47 Front Output Shaft Rear Bearing Removal
1 - REAR CASE
2 - SPECIAL TOOL L-4454-1 AND L-4454-3
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 8148
Fig. 45 Remove Front Output Shaft Bearing
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - INSTALLER 6436
3 - HANDLE C-4171
Fig. 46 Remove Input Gear Cup Plug
1 - DRIFT
2 - INPUT GEAR
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII 21 - 429
TRANSFER CASE - NV241 GENII (Continued)

IDENTIFICATION
An identification tag (Fig. 2) is attached to the rear
case of every transfer case. The 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
OPERATING RANGE
Transfer case operating ranges are:
²2H (2-wheel drive)
²4H (4-wheel drive)
²4LO (4-wheel drive low range
The 2H range is for use on any road surface at any
time.
The 4H and 4LO ranges are for off road use only.
They are not for use on hard surface roads. The only
exception being when the road surface is covered by
ice and snow.
The low range reduction gear system is operative
in 4LO range only. This range is for extra pulling
power in off road situations. Low range reduction
ratio is 2.72:1.
SHIFT MECHANISM
The transfer case is operated by an adjustable floor
mounted shift linkage. The transfer case shift lever
is directly attached to the shift sector. The sector
operates the range and mode forks within the trans-
fer case.
A straight line shift pattern is used with a NEU-
TRAL detent. Lever range positions are imprinted in
the shift knob.
SHIFTING
The transfer case can be shifted between the 2H
and 4H operating ranges while the vehicle is in
motion. The vehicle must have the transmission
placed in NEUTRAL, or the clutch depressed in the
case of a manual transmission, and be moving less
than 2-3 MPH when shifting into and out of the 4L
operating range.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRANSFER CASE -
NV271
Before beginning repair on a suspected transfer
case malfunction, check all other driveline compo-
nents beforehand.
The actual cause of a problem may be related to
such items as: front hubs, axles, propeller shafts,
wheels and tires, transmission, or clutch instead. If
all other driveline components are in good condition
and operating properly, refer to the Diagnosis Chart
for further information.
Fig. 2 Transfer Case - Rear View
1 - TRANSFER CASE
2 - IDENTIFICATION TAG
21 - 448 TRANSFER CASE - NV271DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV271 (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS CHART
Condition Possible Cause Correction
Transfer Case difficult to shift or will not
shift into desired range.1) Vehicle speed too great to permit
shifting.1) Stop vehicle and shift into desired
range. Or, reduce speed to below 3-4
km/h (2-3 mph) before attempting the
shift.
2) If vehicle was operated for an
extended period in 4H on a dry paved
surface, the driveline torque load may
be causing a bind.2) Stop vehicle and shift the
transmission into neutral. Shift the
transfer case to 2H and operate vehicle
in 2H on dry paved surfaces.
3) Transfer case external shift linkage
binding.3) Lubricate, repair, or replace linkage
bushings, or tighten loose components
as necessary.
4) Insufficient or incorrect lubricant. 4) Drain and refill to edge of fill hole
with MoparTATF +4, Automatic
Transmission fluid.
5) Internal components binding, worn,
or damaged.5) Disassemble the transfer case and
replace worn or damaged components
as necessary.
Transfer Case noisy in all operating
ranges.1) Insufficient or incorrect lubricant. 1) Drain and refill to edge of fill hole
with MoparTATF +4, Automatic
Transmission fluid.
Noisy in, or jumps out of, four wheel
drive low range.1) Transfer case not completely
engaged in 4L position.1) With the transmission in NEUTRAL,
or the clutch depressed in the case of a
manual transmission and the vehicle
moving under 3-4 km/h (2-3 mph), shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL and then
shift into the 4L position.
2) Shift linkage out of adjustment. 2) Adjust linkage.
3) Shift linkage loose or binding. 3) Tighten, lubricate, or repair linkage as
necessary.
4) Range fork damaged, inserts worn,
or fork is binding on the shift rail.4) Disassemble unit and repair as
necessary.
5) Low range gear worn or damaged. 5) Disassemble unit and repair as
necessary.
Lubricant leaking from output shaft seal
or vent.1) Transfer case overfilled. 1) Drain lubricant to the correct level.
2) Vent closed or restricted. 2) Clear or replace vent as necessary.
3) Output shaft seals damaged or
installed incorrectly.3) Replace seal as necessary. Check to
ensure that another component, the
propeller shaft slip yoke for example, is
not causing damage to seal.
Abnormal tire wear. 1) Extended operation on hard, dry
surfaces in the 4H position.1) Operate vehicle in the 2H position on
hard, dry surfaces.
DRTRANSFER CASE - NV271 21 - 449
TRANSFER CASE - NV271 (Continued)

(5) Remove the front output shaft front bearing
snap-ring from the front case half.
(6) Using Installer 6953 and Handle C-4171 (Fig.
46), remove the front output shaft front bearing.
(7) Start front output shaft front bearing in case.
Then seat bearing with Installer 8891 (Fig. 47).
(8)
Install front output shaft bearing retaining ring.
(9) Remove input gear pilot bearing by inserting a
suitably sized drift into the splined end of the input
gear and driving the bearing out with the drift and a
hammer (Fig. 48).(10) Install new pilot bearing with Installer 9035.
(11) Remove the front output shaft rear bearing
with the screw and jaws from Remover L-4454 and
Cup 8148 (Fig. 49).
Fig. 46 Remove Front Output Shaft Front Bearing
1 - FRONT CASE HALF
2 - HANDLE C-4171
3 - INSTALLER 6953
Fig. 47 Install Front Output Shaft Front Bearing
1 - FRONT CASE HALF
2 - INSTALLER 8891
Fig. 48 Remove Input Gear Cup Bearing
1 - DRIFT
2 - INPUT GEAR
Fig. 49 Front Output Shaft Rear Bearing Removal
1 - REAR CASE
2 - SPECIAL TOOL L-4454-1 AND L-4454-3
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 8148
21 - 462 TRANSFER CASE - NV271DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV271 (Continued)

(2) Remove front sprocket retaining ring (Fig. 15).
(3) Pull mainshaft, front sprocket and chain out-
ward about 25.4 mm (1-inch) simultaneously (Fig.
16).
(4) Remove chain from mainshaft drive sprocket
and remove front sprocket and chain as assembly.SHIFT FORKS AND MAINSHAFT
(1) Loosen detent plug.
(2) Remove detent plug, spring, and plunger (Fig.
17). Note that the plug has an O-ring seal. Remove
and discard this seal.
(3) Remove the front output shaft snap-ring (Fig.
18).
Fig. 15 Removing Front Sprocket Retaining Ring
1 - FRONT SPROCKET
2 - RETAINING RING
3 - FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT
Fig. 16 Remove Front Sprocket and Drive Chain
1 - FRONT DRIVE SPROCKET
2 - DRIVE CHAIN
3 - MAINSHAFT
Fig. 17 Remove Detent Plug, Spring, and Plunger
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - DETENT PLUG
3 - DETENT SPRING
4 - DETENT PLUNGER
Fig. 18 Remove Front Output Shaft Snap-ring -
Typical
1 - FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT
2 - SNAP-RING
21 - 488 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)

ASSEMBLY
BEARINGS AND SEALS
(1) Remove the input shaft bearing (Fig. 43) from
the front case with suitable snap-ring pliers.
(2) Transfer the retaining ring to the new bearing
if necessary and install the bearing into the front
case.
(3) Using Installer 6436 and Handle C-4171 (Fig.
44), remove front output shaft bearing.
(4) Start front output shaft bearing in case. Then
seat bearing with Handle C-4171 and Installer 6953.(5) Install front output shaft bearing retaining
ring.
(6) Remove input gear pilot bearing by inserting a
suitably sized drift into the splined end of the input
gear and driving the bearing out with the drift and a
hammer (Fig. 45).
(7) Install new pilot bearing with Remover/In-
staller 8684.
Fig. 43 Remove Input Gear Bearing
1 - INPUT GEAR BEARING
2 - FRONT CASE
Fig. 44 Remove Front Output Shaft Bearing
1 - FRONT CASE
2 - INSTALLER 6436
3 - HANDLE C-4171
Fig. 45 Remove Input Gear Pilot Bearing
1 - DRIFT
2 - INPUT GEAR
21 - 496 TRANSFER CASE - NV243DR
TRANSFER CASE - NV243 (Continued)