VW Amarok Grinding Gears Points to Transfer Case Wear

Had the same issue on my 2013 VW Tiguan. The grinding and slipping between gears turned out to be serious mechanical wear in the transfer case. The transfer case oil showed metal particles when checked, indicating internal gear damage. The problem required complete transfer case overhaul with replacement of worn gears and bearings. This was definitely not a quick fix, the car stayed at the shop for a full week. Key signs that matched your symptoms: Grinding noise during gear changes, Slipping feeling when engaging gears, Deteriorated transfer case oil with metal content This type of transfer case failure often starts with worn oil that loses its protective properties. Regular oil changes could have prevented the extensive damage. The repair was major since it required dismantling the entire transfer case assembly. Would strongly recommend getting a specialized transmission shop to properly diagnose the issue. Signs point to internal transfer case damage rather than just needing an oil change. These symptoms typically dont improve without addressing the underlying mechanical wear.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the transfer case issue. I went through something very similar with my Amarok last year. The grinding got really bad and the gear wear was causing serious problems. My mechanic also found metal particles in the gear oil just like in your case. I ended up going with the full transfer case rebuild. Could you share what the total repair cost was for your Tiguan? My fix was pretty expensive and Im curious how it compares. Also wondering if youve had any other transmission problems since getting it fixed?

Your experience matches exactly what happened with my Tiguan. Since seeing the mechanic and getting the transfer case rebuilt, all the gear grinding completely stopped. The worn transfer case oil was definitely the root cause, leading to severe gear wear inside. The total repair came to 330€ for replacing the defective gears in the transfer case. This included a full system flush and fresh gear oil. Looking back, it was worth every cent since the transmission now shifts smoothly with no issues. Havent experienced any other transmission problems in the 8 months since the repair. Regular gear oil changes are now part of my maintenance schedule to prevent similar wear issues from developing again. Based on your description, sounds like we both caught the transfer case problem before it caused complete failure. These repairs might seem costly upfront but typically prevent more expensive damage down the road.

Thanks everyone for your input. I finally got my Amarok properly diagnosed and fixed at a certified transmission shop. The mechanic found severe gear wear and metal debris in the transfer case, just as suspected. The full rebuild cost me 2800€ but included new bearings, seals, and complete gear oil flush. The shop had it for 5 days total. Major work but worth it since the grinding and slipping are completely gone now. The transmission specialist showed me the worn parts and explained how neglected gear oil maintenance led to the excessive wear. Started following a strict oil change schedule to avoid future transfer case problems. Really glad I didnt keep driving it with those symptoms. The grinding could have caused complete transmission failure if left unchecked. The car shifts perfectly now and runs like new.