loud scraping, and smoke... opinions please

[QB ender]

So I'm driving my car on the highway going roughly 70mph, and i hear this strange high pitch whine noise coming from the (what seems like) rear of my car. I don't pay too much attention to it because Ive heard it before, and it went away on its own. Well i continue to drive the car, and it suddenly starts making a really loud scraping noise (almost the same sound as if the brake pads are worn out and the calipers are scraping the rotors so i freak and pull the car over on the shoulder, i get out and there is smoke coming from the back 2 wheels of the car, not FROM the wheels, but rather something in the rear, towards the back, it only appeared to come from the wheel wells. I checked the brake system, and it wasn't that. I had the car towed (on a flatbed), now I'm baffled. Ive left it out of gear and pushed it and the grinding noise is still there. I'm just waiting for my CAA to kick in so i can tow it for free to a shop ... any ideas as to what this may be??? I have a hunch it might have something to do with the rear diff. but what do you guys think??

 

[oldman]

I have a hunch it might have something to do with the rear diff. but what do you guys think??

That would be my first guess as well. Good luck.

 

[spyderturbo98]

i agree with oldman

 

[QB ender]

Okay so i looked under my car, and i did ALOT of reading, im almost positive that its the rear diff.

But due to the nature of the problem and the way in which it occured, could this problem have something to do with the transfercase? The wheels of my car didnt lock up to my knowledge but i felt really heavy resistance, as i was pulling over, if felt like the brakes locked. Upon inpection from the side of the road it seems that the Transfercase has a layering of black grease on it. I have the Chyrsler Canada 1-800-465-2001, to find out if my car has HAD the recall, but are they truthful or would they rather avoid it? Is it possible? All my gears seem to be engaging properly but the clicking noise is still emanating from the rear.

Im in Toronto, and i got this car used, and the previous owner OBVIOUSLY used this car during the salty winters, taking the rear diff out myself with conventional tools might prove to be rather difficult considering rust. Stick to taking it to a shop or get the parts myself and use the manuals?? How hard is this?