The transfer case went out of my 2011 with only 18k miles on it. After contacting my local dealership this morning I found out that this will be the second JK in 3 months with linkage issues. Has anyone else had any problems with the newer years linkage?

 

just to be clear, your problem is with your ability to shift your transfer case and NOT that it's actually broken, right? if so, yes, this is a common problem and one that can be fixed with an 11¢ bushing. only problem is, it's a pain to replace especially if it's on the t-case end. advanced adapters has a great heavy duty replacement shifter and linkage system that costs a bit more money but, is well worth it.

 

I decieded to check mine at 15,000 miles to get a jump on it! The bushing under the console just crumbled when I touched it. So replaced both with custom made aluminum bushings.

 

there is a cable that is attached to your shifter under the center console and on your transfer case under your jeep. this cable has an eye that plugs into a ball like socket and secured in place with a small plastic bushing. if this bushing crumbles and fails at either end, the cable can fall off the socket and, your shifter will no longer work. now, having said that, you can manually shift your t-case as needed right at the t-case but, it can be a real pain to get to being that your output shaft flange is right in the way.

here's a shot of how small the bushing is. when new, it is bright white and somewhat soft. when it gets old, it gets yellow and brittle...

 

FUnny,m early 90's model toyota's had a similar issue. It was a shifter bushing. The shift lever actually rested on it adn rolled around similar to a knee joint. The Toyota bushings would yellow adn disintegrate. Sometimes falling into the tranny. The new poly bushings made the yota's shift better than neew adn they lasted forever.
I do not know why manufacturers use the cheapest bushings. Would good quality bushings all through a vehicle cost $50 more? Dodge electrical connectors are the same. My 06 mega cab has a host of electrical issues, all of which are from poorly fitting connectors. THey are usually fixed with a few snips adn some solder adn tape. Again good fitting connectors would not add $50 to the cost of a vehicle.
If we do the little things right there wont be big things.

 

I got my 08 Rubicon used a few months ago and had mine break the day I brought it home while testing out the 4WD. Unfortunately it was in 4-low when it happened so I had the dealer tow it back to their facility so they could fix it. I never found out which end of the cable broke however. I was just getting into the forum and had no clue about this issue at that point.

Like Wayoflife said, there's a 3rd party heavy duty kit that's probably worth putting on now since yours has failed. I realize that your dealer is going to replace yours for free with a OEM parts, but I wonder if they would do the labor on the aftermarket one for free if you brought it to them. After all, they have already admitted and pointed out that the OEM configuration sucks and breaks all the time.

Worth a shot if you ask me!

 

Typically the TC shift lever just moves back and forth without actually doing anything on the TC side. As stated by WOL above, Advance Adapters has come up with a heavy duty fix.

 

Same thing happened to me...The clip came out and I was looking for the clip in the center Console. Wasted two hours of my life trying to figure out and ramin on the phone told me to look down.....

Finished the trail without any issues

 

I had mine break on a trail a month after I bought my Jeep. Luckily it was an easy trail and I was able to finish in 2wd. Dealership replaced it and I haven't had any problems since (over 2 years). Just make sure you're slowly rolling in neutral when you shift into 4wd.

 

here is the advance adapters fix for it.

http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/pn-715596/