Originally Posted by andreyayrapetov (Post 941959)

As I was driving yesterday and decided to pass a slow driver, I heard a loud thump under the car. It almost sounded like a back fire. The vehicle continued to drive good with no issues for the next 2 hours non stop until I had to pull over for a bathroom break for my kids. When I started the car and started to accelerate I heard the same noise again but several times until I reached my desired speed of 65 mph. As I was driving at cruise control speed I had no issues but the minute I had to accelerate the noises would be there. On my way back home the vehicle started to make grinding and whistling noises at which point I pulled over and turned off the car. I popped the hood and smoke came out from the rear of the engine area towards the bottom. I let the car to cool off and started it again and drove on the side of the road at 15 mph and the noises came back. As I was waiting for the tow truck, I noticed that there was fluid leaking from the transmission area near the transfer case actuator motor. It was leaking steadily. After I got the vehicle home and removed from the tow truck, the car would barely move into my garage on it's own and started to make loud knocking and grinding noises. I am assuming my transmission failed, but what exactly is the question. The entire time I didn't have any issues with shifting at all. Any ideas? What should I do to confirm the issue. I am pretty handy but have never worked on a transmission before.

Originally Posted by BigBlack48is (Post 942037)

Had you ever checked or changed the transfer case fluid?

Originally Posted by TiAgX5 (Post 942075)

.....and checked chain stretch during fluid change by inserting screwdriver into drain hole and prying chain away from sprocket?

Originally Posted by BigBlack48is (Post 942077)

The reason I asked, is because I changed the fluid on mine @ 100k miles and surprisingly the fluid looked almost new. I still changed it anyways!

I waited until 120k on my chevy tahoe to change the transfer case fluid and it was dark, nasty and sparkly :( it only lasted until 180k, then I had to replace the output shaft snap ring, chain and shift fork pad. Ended up keeping the truck until 240k miles!

Hope I get that kind of mileage out of my E53!