possible dying front diff ???

92_LSL · #1 04-05-2011, 05:30 PM

So I noticed this slight knock coming from my tranny (I think). You can only hear it when your going slow then you let off the gas and brake. I know I'm being vague but I'm having a hard time explaining this.

92_LSL · #2 04-07-2011, 12:55 PM

This started happening after I was running the car I in fwd for a couple weeks.

Cam · #3 04-07-2011, 01:08 PM

During those couple weeks how were you driving? Were you pushing the car or lightly driving around?

92_LSL · #4 04-07-2011, 01:13 PM

Normal driving, except for accidentally spinning out because of bald tires up front and torrential downpour.

Cam · #5 04-07-2011, 01:27 PM

I have been driving around with my fuse in for quite some time, with no noticeable ill effects. If your front diff was already failing, than I would suspect it to have played a role, but I doubt it is the main cause. (i have spun my tires on a somewhat regular basis)

I am not very familiar with transmissions, though. Are you getting a blinking power light? Anybody other symptoms? Or just the knock. It could be your cv joints possibly. Try turning left and right very slowly to see if you can get it to act up.

92_LSL · #6 04-07-2011, 04:03 PM

As far as I know the axles are ok. The tranny was swapped in about a year ago, it doesn't slip or lag. I'm just trying to figure this out before it goes all together. I have a spare front diff and a spare torque converter so if It's one of the two I'll be fine.

92_LSL · #7 04-07-2011, 08:42 PM

Oh, and I have a perpetual power mode flash. I've tried clearing it but I'm apparently doing it wrong.

92_LSL · #8 04-08-2011, 08:22 PM

Bump for some help........

1986nate · #9 04-08-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92_LSL

Oh, and I have a perpetual power mode flash. I've tried clearing it but I'm apparently doing it wrong.

do you mean a transmission code??? you need to check that, probably not related to the noises you are hearing, but could be. I have witnessed that some front diffs have been beaten on badly, and can survive and be just fine, then others, someone spins the tires once and it grenades. It's just a matter of luck. You need to be a lot more specific when describing the noise though. Piston slap at the early stages, a cracked flexplate and a front diff with 1 chipped tooth or even 2 teeth off the ring gear can all give very similar noises, but using a long screwdriver and listening can help isolate where the noise is coming from. Until you get more descriptive, no one on here can help you...

92_LSL · #10 04-09-2011, 09:28 AM

I've gone down the line and so far everything thing is fine. If I drain the fluid from the front diff would there be metal shavings if the diff is bad ?

svxfiles · #11 04-09-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92_LSL

I've gone down the line and so far everything thing is fine. If I drain the fluid from the front diff would there be metal shavings if the diff is bad ?

The drain plug has a magnet built into it.
There will be shavings there.
If you can reach up into the diff housing you might find a lost tooth.

Make sure that no one can turn a (road) wheel while you are under there.
The ring gear can snip a finger right off.

As an aside, Why would anyone ever drive with the fuse in unless it was to test for binding?!

Cam · #12 04-09-2011, 12:16 PM

My rear end binds up like crazy with the fuse out, so it is in there until I take the extension housing of the tranny and inspect things.

92_LSL · #13 04-09-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxfiles

The drain plug has a magnet built into it.
There will be shavings there.
If you can reach up into the diff housing you might find a lost tooth.

Make sure that no one can turn a (road) wheel while you are under there.
The ring gear can snip a finger right off.

As an aside, Why would anyone ever drive with the fuse in unless it was to test for binding?!

i was driving it in fwd because i had two fd rx7 rims (spares) in the rear because i was getting the rear rims repaired. i was told running different size rims front and rear will f**k your transmission in awd.

svxfiles · #14 04-09-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

My rear end binds up like crazy with the fuse out, so it is in there until I take the extension housing of the tranny and REPLACE things.

Fixed it.

I understand, but the sooner that you can repair it the better.
I hate when stuff blows up unnecessarily.

svxfiles · #15 04-09-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92_LSL

i was driving it in fwd because i had two fd rx7 rims (spares) in the rear because i was getting the rear rims repaired. i was told running different size rims front and rear will f**k your transmission in awd.

You are correct that different size tires fluke your transmission.
It would be MUCH better to borrow a set of tires untill the wheels are done, if you can.