Gearbox failed again ?

b3lha · #1 10-10-2014, 08:22 AM

I drove home from work at lunchtime and noticed that something wasn't right with the car. There was a very slight almost imperceptable low-frequency vibration. Most people wouldn't even have noticed it, but I know this car well and I could tell something was different to normal. However I couldn't really put my finger on what it was or where is was coming from.

Then after lunch on the way back to work I reversed out of my driveway into the middle of the road. Put the stick in D and there was a loud bang and a screech of metal on metal. The car didn't move. Engine runs sweetly, but I have no gears forward or back, just a whole load of neutral.

I got Belha to tow it out of the middle of the road and onto the grass verge outside my house. Of course it was lashing down with rain and hail stones, just to add to the fun.

Anybody else had this, or like to speculate on what could be wrong?

I've had two trans failures before, the usual sort from overheating. But it's different this time because it's sudden and the oil was barely warm. I'd only driven it a mile or so, slow and gentle. It's like something has snapped or come adrift.

Wikedjuggalo · #2 10-10-2014, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3lha

I drove home from work at lunchtime and noticed that something wasn't right with the car. There was a very slight almost imperceptable low-frequency vibration. Most people wouldn't even have noticed it, but I know this car well and I could tell something was different to normal. However I couldn't really put my finger on what it was or where is was coming from.

Then after lunch on the way back to work I reversed out of my driveway into the middle of the road. Put the stick in D and there was a loud bang and a screech of metal on metal. The car didn't move. Engine runs sweetly, but I have no gears forward or back, just a whole load of neutral.

I got Belha to tow it out of the middle of the road and onto the grass verge outside my house. Of course it was lashing down with rain and hail stones, just to add to the fun.

Anybody else had this, or like to speculate on what could be wrong?

I've had two trans failures before, the usual sort from overheating. But it's different this time because it's sudden and the oil was barely warm. I'd only driven it a mile or so, slow and gentle. It's like something has snapped or come adrift.

Just a silly question, have you checked the fluid ? Are there any grinding or any other noises?

bheinen74 · #3 10-10-2014, 11:16 AM

best case would be broken flexplate.

svxfiles · #4 10-10-2014, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bheinen74

best case would be broken flexplate.

No, the best would be a broken front axle!
Followed by a broken flexplate,
followed by a blown front diff,
followed by a sheared something something inside the center/main section of the transmission.

1) If you can have someone start the engine while you are looking under the hood,
first see if the engine actually starts and runs, or if it just spins the torque converter. If the starter turns the torque converter but does not spin the engine you know its a flexplate.

2) If the engine runs have the person hold the brakes on, put the car in drive or reverse and watch the front axles.
If one is spinning and squeeling, YAY its that axle!
Good luck.
Tom

bheinen74 · #5 10-10-2014, 06:01 PM

yes, corrected me and ^ is right, broken axle....would be ideal best.

b3lha · #6 10-16-2014, 05:47 AM

Thanks for the advice.

Fluid is OK.

I jacked it up and had a look. None of the shafts are turning, so probably not an axle. If I turn a front wheel by hand then the one on the other side turns the opposite way, so front diff probably OK.

If I put the car in gear it makes a whining noise, the pitch of the noise changes as I shift it through the gears. So I think the box is shifting correctly and the problem is on the output or the centre diff.

Inserting the centre diff lock fuse doesn't change anything.

Does anybody know if it's possible to remove the extension case on the back of the trans (to inspect the centre diff), without removing the entire trans from the car?

Swapping the trans is not something I can do in my driveway, but if the centre diff can be removed separately then maybe I can fix this myself. Or am I kidding myself?

Otherwise I'll have to get two of my SVXes towed to a shop and see if they can make one good one from the bits.