Help Urgent My SVX stopped on its own. F Wh Locked.

redsvx94 · #1 08-07-2008, 05:47 AM

Hi All

I was driving and all of the sudden my SVX stopped on its own, like I stepped on the brakes crazy. Tire burning smell and all... Only I didn't even touched the brake pedal. It was 1Am in the morning, so I towed it to my apartment and during the process could see the front wheels are locked up.

I need to acertain whether this is brake or transmission issue. And if brake problem, I would like to know whether such stop would cause any harm to other things like transmission, since if tranny is demaged I can't keep my car....

I have replaced some transmission fluid yesterday so I checked ATF level and it seems overfilled. I've been driving w/ FWD fuse in since I have minor binding problem. But I didn't notice any tranny issue otherwise and shift has been smooth. No sign of any leak on the bottom or engin bay. The brake fluid looks really dark and bad and front brake has not been serviced for a while. Tow truck driver said it could be ABS fuse, but fuse seems fine.

Thanks!

Manarius · #2 08-07-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsvx94

Hi All

I was driving and all of the sudden my SVX stopped on its own, like I stepped on the brakes crazy. Tire burning smell and all... Only I didn't even touched the brake pedal. It was 1Am in the morning, so I towed it to my apartment and during the process could see the front wheels are locked up.

I need to acertain whether this is brake or transmission issue. And if brake problem, I would like to know whether such stop would cause any harm to other things like transmission, since if tranny is demaged I can't keep my car....

I have replaced some transmission fluid yesterday so I checked ATF level and it seems overfilled. I've been driving w/ FWD fuse in since I have minor binding problem. But I didn't notice any tranny issue otherwise and shift has been smooth. No sign of any leak on the bottom or engin bay. The brake fluid looks really dark and bad and front brake has not been serviced for a while. Tow truck driver said it could be ABS fuse, but fuse seems fine.

Thanks!

I bet a wheel bearing froze.

Hocrest · #3 08-07-2008, 06:56 AM

It's not an ABS fuse...

when it was getting pulled onto the flatbed, were the front wheels turning a few inches then springing back? On both sides?

Have you tried to drive it this morning, does it move at all?

How long have you been in FWD, how often did the front wheels slip/spin when taking off?

Was the engine running when you checked the ATF? It needs to be to get an accurate reading.

redsvx94 · #4 08-07-2008, 07:21 AM

Thanks for the reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

when it was getting pulled onto the flatbed, were the front wheels turning a few inches then springing back? On both sides?

Yes it appeared so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Have you tried to drive it this morning, does it move at all?

No.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

How long have you been in FWD, how often did the front wheels slip/spin when taking off?

Binding comes on only when I make very tight turns. This has been like that for many years(!), but It has not been getting any worse or better. I have never noticed any slip or spin of front wheel when taking off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Was the engine running when you checked the ATF? It needs to be to get an accurate reading.

No, I will try that.

ANy opinion would be appreciated!

Hocrest · #5 08-07-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsvx94

Quote:

Originally Posted by hocrest

Have you tried to drive it this morning, does it move at all?

No.

Didn't try or didn't move?

Answer me this and I'll have a better idea...

It will either feel like a lot of resistance, then slowly start to give.

Or most likely it will start to move freely for an inch or so, then fell like your trying to drive up onto a curb and not go any further.

If your able to safely jack up the front so both wheels are off the ground try to spin the wheels by hand.

redsvx94 · #6 08-07-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Didn't try or didn't move?.

Sorry I haven't tried it yet in the morning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Answer me this and I'll have a better idea...
It will either feel like a lot of resistance, then slowly start to give.
Or most likely it will start to move freely for an inch or so, then fell like your trying to drive up onto a curb and not go any further.

I'm guessing you are talking about how it feels when I rev engine up trying to move? Yesterday When I tried, it was like it is in neutral, althought it was in drive. No responce at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

If your able to safely jack up the front so both wheels are off the ground try to spin the wheels by hand.

That's an idea. But I don't think I could do it since it is street parked very close to the curb...

I will wait for your reply and then go out to try starting again...

Earthworm · #7 08-07-2008, 07:59 AM

Front diff packed it in?

Try draining some fluid from the diff to see if any metal chunks fall out.

redsvx94 · #8 08-07-2008, 08:49 AM

O.K. I just tried to start and move the car.

Gear in Park, start the engine with brake on, then move to Drive. When I release the brake after that, I feel slight movement forward like inchs then stops and may be bounce back slightly like wheels are blocked by curb. But no responce to the engine reving at all.

Hocrest let me know what you think... Opinion from else would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

redsvx94 · #9 08-07-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Front diff packed it in?

Try draining some fluid from the diff to see if any metal chunks fall out.

O.K. That might be the case, but I can't check that because, I can't raise the car next to the curb. Need to determine whether this is going to be towed to brake shop or tranny shop. Once I get to a shop, I will make sure they check the F. differential.

Thanks.

Hocrest · #10 08-07-2008, 01:35 PM

Your front diff is toast, off to the trans shop it goes...

If you haven't already do some reading around here on you different tranny options...

redsvx94 · #11 08-07-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Your front diff is toast, off to the trans shop it goes...

If you haven't already do some reading around here on you different tranny options...

Thanks for the reply. I've been just calling around for the cost for the F.Diff. repair and it seems it will be at least 1000$, (650$ Labor and 350$ main parts + shipping ). Does this sound right?

If the F.D. is gone bad due to FWD use to avoid binding issue, then I don't know whether it make much sense to put money into it, unless fixing root of binding issue, swap to manual tranny or something like that. That option will be cost-prohibitive for me at this point. Even $1000 for F.D., I don't know whether my wife would agree to that. Could some one give me other possible option, if there is any?

Also if I decide not to keep it, what is my option to get most $ out of it? (Except parting out. I'm leaving in a Condo). I just installed new AC compressor and condensor in it a couple of days ago!

( I guess I can take them out before it goes to Junk yard and sell here....)

TomsSVX · #12 08-07-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsvx94

Thanks for the reply. I've been just calling around for the cost for the F.Diff. repair and it seems it will be at least 1000$, (650$ Labor and 350$ main parts + shipping ). Does this sound right?

If the F.D. is gone bad due to FWD use to avoid binding issue, then I don't know whether it make much sense to put money into it, unless fixing root of binding issue, swap to manual tranny or something like that. That option will be cost-prohibitive for me at this point. Even $1000 for F.D., I don't know whether my wife would agree to that. Could some one give me other possible option, if there is any?

Also if I decide not to keep it, what is my option to get most $ out of it? (Except parting out. I'm leaving in a Condo). I just installed new AC compressor and condensor in it a couple of days ago!

( I guess I can take them out before it goes to Junk yard and sell here....)

Have you tried to see what it does in reverse??

Tom