I'm looking at a 2013 4runner and the dealership is going to sell it to me as-is because the transfer case is leaking. What is the cost of the repair or would it be cheaper to swap in a used or new case?

Depends on what's leaking. If its the speedo sensor O ring, it's $3 and 30 seconds, output shaft is a bit more, input shaft or the rtv sealing of the case, you have to pull the transfer case.

I had the transfer case O-ring replaced on my 2004 T4R. I cannot find the actual cost but I've emailed the private shop for details. I got an estimate of $1200 in 2018 and I think I had the work done a year later. It hasn't leaked since then. On the estimate it says:

"Shift actuator o-ring leaking. Replacement would involve removing and disassembly of transfer case - $1200"

If they reply with the actual cost I will post here.

Total cost 9/2019 was $1,140.91, local shop, Toyota certified

My job tomorrow is finish rebuild of NP 241C transfer case. Then pull the existing and install the rebuilt transfer case in a 1994 K2500 Suburban diesel. Total cost about $250 and a couple hours of my time.

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Hello everyone I'm new here to the forum. Does anyone know where i can find a video or maintenance manual so I can swap out my T case and Just put in an OEM new used one? Trying to save some money. One mechanic here in Boise wants $4000 installed. I love my T4R but that's a lot of money.

Thanks.

I made a how to post here and it got included in the DIY fix it sticky. It also has a link to a How To video on YouTube:

5th Gen Transfer Case R&R and Seal Replacement

This year alone on my personal vehicles, I've completely rebuilt a NP 241 C and swapped that into a K2500 Suburban which had a leaking transfer case. My cost was $300 for parts and it was a couple hours to remove and another couple to install. The rebuild was simply replacing bearings, chain and seals. All the gears and shafts were fine. This actual rebuild took about 2 hours. Removal and install about 10 hours total, but nothing difficult.

I also pulled and replaced seals on the transfer case in our 2014 SR5. This one was even easier to pull than the one in the Suburban. Replaced output seal on transmission side and all the seals on the transfer case. This took less than an hour and the seals were about $30.

I'd like to thank those providing the cost quotes to do these jobs, which is in line with my estimates.

I also recently pulled and had the 5 spd manual transmission in my 2005 Honda Accord rebuilt. After replacing the clutch assembly, fly wheel and throwout bearing, it was still making a noise that would disappear when the clutch was depressed while in neutral. I knew then bearings were gone or going, which the transmission rebuild shop confirmed. I was able to pull the transmission in about 6 hours and reinstall in about the same time. Missed some football, but figured it was a $4K to $5+K job if someone else did it. Car runs and sounds like it did when new.

Why are you swapping out the transfer case? If it's just leaks, you're looking at $30 to $50 in parts. A rebuild kit would be <$300 and that would only take an hour or two. These are very simple to work on. The AWD units are a bit more complicated as they have clutch stacks in them. Before this year, I had never attempted this myself, now I would never consider not doing it myself.

Seems odd the dealer doesn't fix the leak and then sell the vehicle. Might be more going on here.

I'd be looking into that 4runner a bit further. I agree that the dealership may not be telling you something if they are not willing to fix the leak before selling the truck.

Knock the price down by $4,000 due to the leaking transfer case, then do the job yourself for $50 and maybe a total of 10 hours of your time.

The problem with doing the work yourself is that the Warranty sucks. ;)

The benefit of being able to do the work yourself is that you will NEVER need a warranty.

Transfer case at 343K miles, which is 7,000 miles after I repaired the leak, along with some pics of before showing the extent of the leak:

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Here are the videos that confirmed the input
bearing was gone and other bearing were going my Honda manual transmission:

2005 Honda Accord - YouTube

At the end of this one you can see the clutch slave cylinder actuating as the pedal is depressed and hear the sound disappear at the same time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=TBVdhhDkYhI

Then the fun begins:

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Here’s the engine running after the install of the rebuilt transmission:

2005 According Test of Rebuilt 5 spd manual - YouTube

And here is a video of the quiet test drive with the rebuilt transmission:

December 2, 2023 - YouTube

its common dealers will sell cars as is. labour isn't free, parts aren't free and complex repairs may take away top techs from paying customers. it's all about moving inventory fast. if they can sell it at a reasonable discount and get it off the lot they will. sometimes they will wholesale to smaller independent used car dealers where everything is as is - a lot of times these dealers take the wholesale car, cheaply fix it, then sell it at a slight discount to market. they will also try and sell you a used vehicle warranty for thousands of $ that somehow won't ever cover whatever goes wrong with your vehicle...

maybe the vehicle has this leak, needs a $2k break job, new suspension and valve cover gaskets are leaking. there's no way they're putting that much labour into a vehicle that will still only sell for market value

of course the dealer will fix the leak before you buy the truck lol. you just have to pay for it though!