Yeah, if the chain breaks or otherwise jumps off the teeth you will be stranded similar to having the front driveshaft hop out. I'm curious about this as well, I have some fluid to put in the transfer case as in 7.5 years I've never opened that up. I am only at 135k miles but it's the preventative maintenance that will keep these cars on the road, rather than reactive maintenance.

__________________
2003 3.0 5MT Topasblau
Purchased in 2016 and sold in 2024
2012 35d Platingrau