Differentials and transfer cases split power between wheels and axles, and they run on fluid that wears out like any other. AutoTech Clinic services and repairs front and rear differentials, transfer cases and all wheel drive couplings at 24100 Michigan Ave in Dearborn, which matters a great deal in a Michigan winter.
Four wheel drive and all wheel drive only help when every part of the system is working. A transfer case that will not engage or a coupling that has overheated leaves you with two wheel drive and no warning until you need it.
- How Long
- Fluid services about 1 to 2 hours. Repairs vary with the fault.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Differential, 4WD and AWD Service
- A whine or howl from under the car that changes with road speed
- A clunk when you pull away or change direction
- Four wheel drive will not engage or will not disengage
- A binding or hopping feeling on tight turns
- Fluid leaking from a differential cover or a transfer case seal
- A burning smell after driving in four wheel drive on dry pavement
What We Do
- 01
Road Test and Listen
We road test to identify whether the noise changes with speed, throttle or turning, because each points to a different part.
- 02
Inspect Fluid and Seals
We check level, color and metal content, and look at every seal and the vent, which is a common and cheap cause of leaks.
- 03
Check Engagement
On four wheel drive we test actuator operation and shift motor function, and on all wheel drive we check the coupling or clutch pack behavior.
- 04
Service With the Right Fluid
Differentials and transfer cases each take a specific fluid, and limited slip units often need a friction modifier. We use what the manufacturer specifies.
- 05
Verify and Road Test
We confirm engagement in each mode and road test to ensure the noise or binding is resolved.
Why Winter Is When Problems Appear
Most drivers in Dearborn use four wheel drive for a handful of weeks each year. The rest of the time the actuators, shift forks and couplings sit still, and corrosion builds. The first snowy morning is when people discover the system will not engage.
The sensible move is to engage four wheel drive briefly every month or two, and to have the system checked in the fall rather than in the middle of a storm.
Tires Matter More on AWD Than Anything Else
All wheel drive systems assume all four tires are the same diameter. Mismatched tread depth makes one axle turn faster than the other, and the coupling or center differential absorbs that difference as heat for every mile you drive.
That is why replacing a single tire on an all wheel drive vehicle can damage the drivetrain. We measure tread depth across all four and tell you when a single replacement is safe and when it is not.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Whether the job is a fluid service or an internal repair
- Front, rear, transfer case or all three
- Limited slip and locking differentials, which need specific fluid and setup
- Whether a ring and pinion needs to be set up, which is skilled time
- Rusted fill and drain plugs, which are common on Michigan vehicles
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.