Help with new toy AWD feels Like RWD

[DSM93]

Okay so I picked up this 92 talon tsi. I drove it today and this thing feels like a RWD car. I know what a AWD feels like.( my previous dsm was a 94 gsx) and this thing just wants to fishtail when I start to boost. I can even feel the right rear lose traction and just spin. The previous owner had new struts and springs installed and aligned. he had mention that the right rear tire was bald but he thought it was from the alignment. this tire is not worn in that way it does not have edge were, its worn evenly all the way around. from like burn outs. so I jacked all 4 corners up and let it idle in 1st gear. the rear wheels spun both of them, the front spun really slow I could hold them still and they would not even try to spin. the vehicle is stock with a set of 17" wheels. the transmission shift good no slippage no grinding. feels good.My question is does this sound like a bad VC. and if so where can I get a new one at? other then dealership.. thanks in advance..

 

[Defiant]

My first guess is that it has been towed with the rears on the ground.
Yes, VCs are either from the dealer or used.

 

[tsiturbomm]

I always thoguht that if the VC was shot it would not spin the rear tires at all, isn't that what locks the rear wheels into the system? This sounds like a front differential, No? We had a laser like this and it ended up being the front differential.

 

[DSM93]

I realy dont know if the vehicle was towed in that maner or not. but I did some searching and the only place I realy got anything was a VW site stating that if you jack the rear wheels off the ground and the fronts on the ground and if you can idle in 1st gear and the vehicle goes nowhere then the VC is fried. I keep getting contradicting stories all around. I also read that the VC can fail in two ways. one is if the fluid inside leaks out then it would act like a RWD vehicle and the second was if it overheats to the point where it welds itself together then it would act like a 4WD.. I guess trying a new or good used one would be my first and easiest step.I had a used one from my first DSM but pitched it away not thinking of the future.. live and learn..

 

[DSM93]

Well I replaced the VC and the old one was fried. it had the seal coming out. BUT it still not right. I can hold the front wheels and watch the rears spin away. has to be my front diff. oh well..will be replacing that in a couple of weeks.

 

[MidShipCivic]

Your front differential is an open differential the wheel with LEAST resistance will get the power.

 

[DSM93]

correct but if I have it on the hoist all 4s off the ground and I start it up and let it idle in
1st gear the rear wheels will spin, if I hold one of the rear wheels the oposite side will spin. now if I hold one of the front wheels the oposite side should spin? correct me if im wrong. after I replaced the VC I did just that I watched the right front wheels spin along with the rears. I grabed a hold of the right front and stoped it. The left front should of spun. well it didn't. give me your input before I dump too much time and money in this bad boy.

 

[MidShipCivic]

Is your car rear LSD or are you trying that with out knowing?


It could be possible the brake pad is dragging.

 

[Rob10_99]

The dsm awd system is "ok ill let the back wheels turn through some friction".
So even if the viscous is locked up, it should act somewhat normal. Have you tried to grab the rear wheel one at a time to see if the other spins faster?
What happens if you grab one of the front wheels? the other stops or what?

 

[MidShipCivic]

What happens if you grab one of the front wheels? the other stops or what?

Last post.

. I grabed a hold of the right front and stoped it. The left front should of spun. well it didn't. give me your input before I dump too much time and money in this bad boy.

 

[DSM93]

Yes its an LSD. If I hold one of the rear wheels the oposite rear wheel will spin faster.
Now if I hold one of the front wheels the oposite front will not spin at all. I read a forum in a VW site that said to jack the rear end up off the floor with a floor jack. and the front on the floor. and to shift it into first and apply a bit of gas. and if the vehicle would start to pull foward ten the VC is okay..VW/ DSM a little different but same concept right. does that sound right to you guys..Im not a total Idiot.. Im an Auto Technitian. thats what I do to put food on the table. But this is kicking my butt. Like I said before I had a 93 GSX about 5 years ago and this acts nothing like that one did.

 

[Dserge]

Ha, the way I always tested my AWD system is taking it on snow and doing a few controlled slides.
Trust me you will feel a difference if something is wrong.....

 

[DSM93]

Yeah if I Hold the one of the front wheel from spining the other side will NOT spin..as for the snow My first DSM would drive like a snow plow. now for this car I would be my life that it would drive like a nascar in an ice skating ring.

 

[DSM93]

Well I performed the test that the VW site said to and it failed. I know the VC is good so it has to be the front diff. what usualy goes out in these?

 

[tsiturbomm]

Told you it was the front diff. It is usually the spider gears or the little pin from it blowing 1 leggers. Its a very simple replacement, but the tranny will have to be completely out of the car.

 

[DSM93]

Yeah I figured it would have to be torn down. what would you do replace the
tranny or replace whatever is broken..I also found one hefty transfercase leak but I belive Ill let the dealership fix that one. I cant seem to find any diy forum on brakeing that transmission down. any ideas..