GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1998 🢒 Tracker - 4WD 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Transfer Case 🢒 Transfer Case Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

  1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.
  2. Remove two screws, two plastic retainers and the rear console box from the floor.
  3. Remove two screws, two plastic retainers and the front console box from the floor.

    4. Object Number: 167065 Size: SH
  4. Remove one screw and the gearshift control lever knob (1) from the gearshift control lever (if equipped).

    5. Object Number: 167066 Size: SH
  5. Remove eight screws, the boot cover and the gearshift control lever boot (1) from the gearshift control lever (2) (if equipped).
  6. Remove one clamp and the gearshift lever case boot from the gearshift lever case (if equipped).

    7. Object Number: 167096 Size: SH
  7. Remove the gearshift control lever (1) from the gearshift lever case (2) by pushing down on the gearshift control lever pivot (3) and turning counterclockwise 90 degrees (1/4 turn) and lifting up (if equipped).

    8. Object Number: 167506 Size: SH
  8. Remove the four-wheel drive switch electrical connector (1) from the four wheel drive switch (2) (if equipped).

    9. Object Number: 167508 Size: SH
  9. Remove the four-wheel drive low switch electrical connector (3) from the four-wheel drive low switch (4) (if equipped).
  10. Remove four bolts from the fan shroud at the radiator.
  11. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

    12. Object Number: 167568 Size: SH
  12. Remove two bolts (1) and separate the transfer case skid plate from the transfer case crossmember.
  13. Place a drain pan or suitable container underneath the transfer case.

    14. Object Number: 167056 Size: SH
  14. Remove the transfer case oil level/filler plug (1) from the transfer case.
  15. Remove the transfer case drain plug (2) from the transfer case and drain the transfer case oil.

    16. Important: An index mark (reference mark) should be made on the front and rear propeller shaft pinion flange yokes and the front and rear differential pinion flanges to ensure that the front and rear propeller shafts are installed in the same positions from which they were removed. If this precaution is not observed, a driveline imbalance may result causing vibration, premature component wear or other undesirable conditions.

  16. Place an index mark on the front propeller shaft pinion flange yoke and the front deferential pinion flange (if equipped).
  17. Remove four bolts, four nuts and the front propeller shaft from the vehicle (if equipped).
  18. Place an index mark on the rear propeller shaft pinion flange yoke and the differential pinion flange.
  19. Remove four bolts, four nuts and the rear propeller shaft from the vehicle.

    20. Object Number: 167512 Size: SH
  20. Remove the speedometer cable (3) from the speedometer driven gear case (2).

    21. Object Number: 167547 Size: SH
  21. Remove one bolt, the speedometer cable clip (3) and the ground wire (1) from the torque stopper housing.
  22. Remove the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) and the muffler/tail pipe assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Exhaust System.
  23. Support the transfer case with a suitable hydraulic jack.

    24. Object Number: 167575 Size: SH
  24. Remove two bolts (1) from the torque stopper bracket (3).

    25. Object Number: 167572 Size: SH
  25. Remove six bolts and the transfer case crossmember (1) from the undercarriage.

    26. Object Number: 189859 Size: SH
  26. Place a wood block with the dimensions of 200 mm (8.0 in) × (3) 45 mm (1.8 in) × (4) 100-150 mm (4.0-6.0 in) between the distributor gear housing and the bulkhead (2) in order to prevent the distributor and other components from being damaged when the transfer case is lowered.
  27. Remove the lower transfer case slowly until the engine contacts its support point on the wood block.
  28. Remove one clamp and the breather hose from the gearshift lever case (if equipped).
  29. Remove one clamp and the breather hose from the cover (if equipped).
  30. Remove the gearshift lever case from the rear case manual transmission equipped vehicles. Refer to Gearshift Control Lever Removal in Manual Transmission.
  31. Remove twelve transfer case-to-transmission bolts.
  32. Slide the transfer case off the transmission output shaft and slowly lower the transfer case making sure there are no obstructions.

Installation Procedure
  1. Raise the transfer case into position and slide it onto the transmission output shaft.

    2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  2. Install twelve transfer case-to-transmission bolts.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the twelve transfer case-to-transmission bolts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).

  3. Install the breather hose to the gearshift lever case. Secure with one clamp (if equipped).
  4. Install the breather hose to the cover. Secure with one clamp (if equipped).
  5. Install the gearshift lever case to the rear case manual transmission equipped vehicles. Refer to Gearshift Control Lever Installation Gearshift Lever in Manual Transmission.
  6. Raise the transfer case slowly until the engine is no longer in contact with the wood block between the bulkhead and the distributor gear housing.
  7. Remove the wood block.

    8. Object Number: 167572 Size: SH
  8. Install the transfer case crossmember (1) to the undercarriage. Secure the crossmember with six bolts (3).

    9. Tighten
    Tighten the transfer case crossmember bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 167575 Size: SH
  9. Install two bolts (1) to the torque stopper bracket (3).

    10. Tighten
    Tighten the torque stopper bracket bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  10. Remove the hydraulic jack from underneath the transfer case.
  11. Install the Three Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) and muffler/tail pipe assembly to the vehicle. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Exhaust System.

    12. Object Number: 167547 Size: SH
  12. Install the speedometer cable clip (3) and the ground wire (1) to the torque stopper housing. Secure with one bolt.

    13. Tighten
    Tighten the speedometer cable clip bolt (4) to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 167512 Size: SH
  13. Install the speedometer cable (3) to the speedometer driven gear case (2).
  14. Install the rear propeller shaft into the vehicle aligning the reference marks made during the removal. Secure the rear propeller shaft with four bolts and four nuts.

    15. Tighten
    Tighten the rear propeller shaft bolts and nuts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  15. Install the front propeller shaft into the vehicle aligning the reference marks made during removal. Secure the front propeller shaft four bolts and four nuts (if equipped).

    16. Tighten
    Tighten the front propeller shaft bolts and nuts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  16. Apply GM P/N 12346004 or the equivalent, to the threaded portion of the transfer case drain plug.

    17. Object Number: 167056 Size: SH
  17. Install the transfer case drain plug (2) into the transfer case.

    18. Tighten
    Tighten the transfer case drain plug to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).

  18. Add approximately 1.7 liters (1.8 qts) of 75W-90 GL4 lubricant, or the equivalent, into the transfer case oil level/filler plug hole. The oil level should be even with the bottom of the oil level/filler plug (1).
  19. Apply GM P/N 12346004, or the equivalent, to the threaded portion of the transfer case oil level/filler plug (1).
  20. Install the transfer case oil level/filer plug (1) into the transfer case.

    21. Tighten
    Tighten the transfer case oil level/filler plug (1) to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).

  21. Install the transfer case skid plate to the transfer case crossmember. Secure the skid plate with two bolts.

    22. Tighten
    Tighten the transfer case skid plate bolts to 54 N·m (40 lb ft).

  22. Lower the vehicle.
  23. Install four bolts to the fan shroud at the radiator.

    24. Tighten
    Tighten the fan shroud bolt to 10 N·m (89 lb in).


    Object Number: 167508 Size: SH
  24. Connect the four-wheel drive switch electrical connector (2) to the four-wheel drive switch (if equipped) (1).
  25. Install the four-wheel drive low switch electrical connector (3) to the four-wheel drive low switch (if equipped) (4).
  26. Install the gearshift control lever into the gearshift lever case, pushing down on the shift control lever pivot and turning clockwise 90 degrees (1/4 turn) and releasing (if equipped).
  27. Install the gearshift lever case boot to the gearshift lever case. Secure with one clamp (if equipped).

    28. Object Number: 167066 Size: SH
  28. Install the gearshift control lever boot (1) and the boot cover onto the gearshift control lever. Secure with eight screws (if equipped).

    29. Object Number: 167065 Size: SH
  29. Install the gearshift control lever knob (1) onto the gearshift control lever. Secure the knob with one screw (if equipped).
  30. Install the front console box to the floor. Secure the front console box with two plastic retainers and two screws.
  31. Install the rear console box to the floor. Secure the rear console box with two plastic retainers and two screws.
  32. Connect the negative (-) battery cable.