Industry News

Transfer Case Grinding With Lincoln Navigator

April 9, 2021

Some 2003-2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a transfer case may exhibit a grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area.

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1,

Mike Mavrigian

Some 2003-2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a TOD transfer case may exhibit a grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). The vehicle may be equipped with a mode select switch (MSS) that includes a 4-wheel auto (4A) option. To correct the condition, locate the vacuum supply line between the source vacuum and the IWE check valve. Remove the vacuum supply line and install vacuum caps at the IWE check valve and the vacuum source. The vacuum line cap kit is available as P/N W716372-S300.

Note the vacuum source (bottom left of blue line).\

Remove and discard the vacuum line and install vacuum caps from the kit at the source vacuum and at the IWE check valve.

About the Author

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.

About the Author

Mike Mavrigian | Motor Age Editor

Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.