I just got the bad news from my dealer that the bevel gear needs to be replaced on my '04 XC at 74,000 miles. The cost is about $2300 US. I would like to know what causes this failure and if there is anything that can be done (by me, the owner/driver) to lessen the probability of it happening again. I asked these same questions to the Service Advisor, but she really did not have any answers.