Just need to ask the opinions of the more experienced evo owners in here, or anybody that has a good educated opinion...

I found out recently that my transfer case has been rather noisey and probably needs to be replaced.

Do you think it will hold up for a little while, or should I just not drive the car period? I've heard some people say they're noisey, and others say BAD!

It's not a perminent thing, but think I''d be okay if I dont lauch the #@$ outta the car or shift high?

 

it'll be a lot easier if you just replace it, that way you dont have to worry about it...much

i suggest you drive it straight to a dealer a.s.a.p. and get it fixed. you still have warranty right? btw, you modded your car somewhat moderately or heavily?

 

3" TBE, Aftermarket clutch, intake, bov..

i understand i should get it replaced asap... however they wont replace it unde warranty b/c the previous owner killed 2 of them already...

So the question still holds...
Think the Transfer Case will hold up for a little while if not abused, or should I just not drive the car period?

 

Its hard to say without hearing it in person but I would have to guess if you baby it you can ge some more time out of it...

 

Why should it matter what the previous owner did? It's not his car anymore.

 

ive had the same problem with my dealership. when it come to anything being replaced under warenty they tell me to **** off cause my evo had 1000 miles when i picked it up

 

Thats BS there is a 5/60 warranty for subsequent owners.

I have 3 or 4 transfer cases 2 I think are 2003's if you just would rather replace with one of these or send it directly to TRE with no downtime. Let me know via PM.

 

I have heard of people driving on their F'ed up TC 'till is seized up, and nothing else happened (everything was fine once they got the TC replaced). But then you're paying for your car to get towed..

Your best bet is to get it fixed asap though. But i mean, if i had to i would drive on it.

 

I hope your not implying that this is a feasible option. Driving 70mph with a set of passengers in the car when all 4 wheels lock up is not a situation I want to see anyone in.

 

I'm the service manager trying to help out Chris. Just an FYI: the warranty follows the vehicle not the owner. You are right that the subsequent owner gets the warranty xfered. However if the previous owner abused the vehicle, modified the vehicle and if any portion of the warranty is flagged then the second owner doesnt get a free pass. If the previous owner blew threw 2 replacement xfer cases in 4 months and now the car needs a 4th one there is a problem and the repair would not be covered. I'm doing everything I possibly can for Chris but my hands are tied on this. The smoking gun is the DPSM in PA stated once the 2nd replacement one went in (3rd the car had seen) that this was the last xfer case Mitsu would buy for the car. On another note think of it this way...

The used car dealer probably bought this car from an auction. They may or may have known it had problems when they sold it but figured "hey Mitsu will pay for it cause it has a powertrain warranty still". Here is the catch. The dealer is expected to do a safety check on the vehicle per PA state law and the vehicle has to be sold free of any major mechanical defects. If there are defects during their safety check they should have addressed them and refurbished the car to acceptable safe selling condition. This car had the problems at the dealer when the dealer owned it. They are pre existing problems. Chris noticed these problems almost immediatley after taking the car up on the highway on his way home. It's my DPSM's position that this dealer should be responsible for addressing those concerns before selling the vehicle. Bare in mind folks that my hands are tied on this. I feel so bad for Chris and have tried my best to help him out. I wish this situation wasn't such a difficult one. If there was a way for him to get this covered I'd suggest it and do it. Chris can vouche for the fact that we at my dealer have been super understanding of his position and want to help him out. It's just out of our control.

Chris, I did ask my tech about the xfer case. He said the fluid is full and that the noise is seemingly gear noise due to looseness and wear. I can't say that you'd be ok to drive it cause I just don't know for sure. It "probably" would be ok for a while but it's not worth the risk.

 

Dragin has been very helpful, and for anybody who needs help with their evo that's out of their control, Schaeller Mitsu in New Britain, CT is doing an awsome job trying to help me with the sh#$tty car situation that I'm in.

Unfortunately, I dont know where to go from here... If anyone has any ideas/thoughts, PLEASE ADDRESS THEM TO ME!!! I have no idea wher to go from here..

I contacted the PA DMV/DOT an they both said it's not their matter to get involved with a AS-IS sale from a dealership. Also, I contacted consumer protection and theyre going to look into it. I contacted the FTC and they documented all of it. I tried a couple of other agencies, but they kept directing me back to consumer protection. Unfortunately, they can only mediate the situation, and the PA dealer will not take the car back.

It's very unfortunate to see how someone from the dealer faxed me a letter explaining "my transaction" which was totally bent and not 100% true by any means. and they want to pay for my Cat they they lied about being on the exhaust, pay for lectrical problems and my 1st car payment since I havent been able to drive it. Unfortunately that leaves me stuck with a bad transfer case and tranni grinds. I understand that I probably shouldn't have bought the car AS-IS... HOWEVER- if it was not stated as "inspected" and everything in "VERY GOOD" condition, I wouldn't have bought it. So now, because the last owner was a dip-shi^ and tis dealer sucks, I get screwed.. btw car has 38,xxx miles and cost me $22,500.. No deal by anymeans with the problems it has!

PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE ME ADVISE...

 

If you've had the car for less than three days, take it back and walk away. If you are beyond that, congratulations on joining the EVO community. Our cars are not cheap to own and modify but they are very rewarding when modded. You knew this right?

My open differential has been grinding\whinning for about 3 months now with about 250 miles a week. I have 36,000 on mine with OG clutch. My noise was brought on by doing donuts I think. Live and learn right? Anyway, if the noise isn't louder than your radio or normal conversation, my thoughts are, "just drive it". No launching or donuts though.

Take that payment they are giving you a break on and put it towards a; (a)$300 used open dif bought from a fine member of this forum, (b)buy a $800 + or - mitsu LSD from ShepTrans.com, or (c)buy a $1500 Quaife LSD that has a lifetime warranty and never worry about it again. I'm getting one of these myself, I have 90% saved so far. We could start a group buy!!

Oh ya, an install can go for $300-$900.

Seriously, $22,500 is a good start if the car is in good shape and has not been wrecked. Most people buy them new for $28 and up. You got a nice discount, spend some of it on upgraded parts and don't worry about it. This is the only weak link in the 03 that I was concerened about. Most everyone upgrades clutches. Everything else is solid.

Have fun with it,
John

 

Send it to tre for a rebuild before it gets unrepairable.

 

So, you think that if I do 1 of those 3 things, I should be set... I i just geta god LSD, that'll solve my T.C. problems? Aren't there other T.C. parts that are prolly bad, or is that mainly what goes?? Sorry to be a n00b hee, but I've never had T.C. problems with any of my last 3 DSMs.

p.s.- they refused to take the car back..

 

Better than getting new OEM? of do they throw OE pars in their that need to be fixed for about same price? I think I looked and it's about $1300 if I'm not mistaken to have TRE do it.