How much trouble will this turn into? (Rear Differential)

Amarsir · #1 08-16-2011, 09:20 AM

I should start by confessing I love my SVX, but I'm a bad owner. I take regular care, but nothing special. I forget these SVX sites exist until something goes wrong. Just last week I was considering a needed paint job and shrugged it off, and apparently that was too much insult, because today I learned that what I thought sounded and felt like a sticking brake was actually a self-destructing rear differential.

Now I know that could be worse, but I'm wondering if it actually might be worse? Any chance that a bad differential messed up anything else along the transmission? And how bad is it to find parts these days? (I haven't had to think about finding anything in like 6 years.)

It's a 96 LSi with about 165k and before I ask the mechanic to call around junkyards looking for the part, I wanted to get any relevant information from experts here so my head is on straight. Much appreciated.

Hocrest · #2 08-16-2011, 10:18 AM

"It's just Eric" is close to you and may still have a stock rear diff. I'm not sure how to contact him though... If not and you can wait, Nate is heading to Jersey by the end of the month.

And to answer your question, the tranny shouldn't be affected by the rear diff. Are all your tires the matching?

Amarsir · #3 08-16-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Are all your tires the matching?

Yes ... ? I've been asking myself that, trying to recall if one was losing air, etc. A few years ago while at a junkyard to replace the windshield I thought it would be smart to buy an extra wheel to be a full-size spare. So now I'm trying to remember if it's been rotated in or if I would even have used it enough to cause an issue.

The car's not with me at the moment but I'm fairly certain they're all the same Sumitomos now and would have been for the last 10k miles. That they've worn evenly is something I can't swear to though and it's bothering me.

1986nate · #4 08-17-2011, 07:43 AM

I believe I still have a stock rear diff complete that I could bring with me. I don't believe Eric has anymore at all. I'll be out in the area the last 5 days of August here coming up.
It shouldn't have messed up anything else in the transmission. I'm curious if the gears went or the LSD. Was it low on fluid, or empty? I know I've seen some that are pretty leaky. I could probably even change the differential out for you if needed, as long as you have driveway space, in just a couple hours.

Amarsir · #5 08-17-2011, 08:54 AM

Thanks Nate, but my mechanic found one that would enable him to be done by the weekend and he's reasonably confident. If that goes afoul I can try to contact you.

As for the how, (this is where the "bad owner" part comes in) I did have a transmission code for a duty solenoid. I'd asked the dealer and they said $2400 to replace, which I responded to by flushing the fluid and ignoring it. Probably not the smartest approach, but it does seem like a possible explanation.

1986nate · #6 08-17-2011, 09:07 AM

No way a solenoid should be that much. A solenoid can be replaced without removing the transmission. I believe a new solenoid would be about $300 and about the same amount for the labor would be more in line. At the very worst and most expensive shop if they're doing it as they should, should easily stay under $1000. Almost sounds like they're quoting for a new valve body and solenoids and not just the one solenoid needed.