WTF is wrong with my car (T-case?)

[1991TsiTurbo]

I had a rearend blow out on my way home on New Years Eve day. I had a post up to help locate some parts. http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95482 I finally ordered a rear end from a junkyard, and froze my a$$ off in 0 degree weather putting it in the day it came UPS. Anyway, I took it out for the test drive and I heard a low pitched whining noise which got louder and more noticeable as I sped up. I knew something was wrong so I turned around and headed back home.

As I slowed down to pull into my driveway, my rear wheels locked up and I skidded to a stop in the snow. I haven't driven it since then and I was wondering if anyone thinks that my T-case might have locked up and caused my rear diff to shatter? It makes sense to me, but I wanted to get some opinions before I have it towed to the dealer to have the T-case looked at. Also, when I was putting on the new rear diff, the rear driveshaft wouldn't spin very well even with the auto tranny in neutral. Is my T-case bad?

 

[Lordpaxin]

When you put the rearend in, did you put in fluid?
junkyards drain diffeentials before shipment.

 

[Lordpaxin]

Originally posted by 1991TsiTurbo
Also, when I was putting on the new rear diff, the rear driveshaft wouldn't spin very well even with the auto tranny in neutral. Is my T-case bad?

did you have the entire car off the ground?
remember you are AWD so your front and back are linked. that woudl explain why it wouldnt spin well.

when your backwheels locked, did your front wheels lock too?
if not, then i would suspect internal tranny problems.

 

[cwbroncos]

Is the T-case leaking at all? When mine went out it was screaming like no other. Had to have the recall done. Try and look at the exhaust right by where the driveshaft and T-case connect. Some time the fluid gets flung right there when it leaks.

 

[1991TsiTurbo]

When I did the rear end, I had all four wheels off the ground, and I filled the diff with 75W-90 full synthetic gear fluid. When the wheels locked up, the skid marks I left in the snow looked like it was only the rears that locked on me. Also, since the rear end went on new years eve, I have only driven it about 400 yards for my test drive. When I was under the car last, I dont remember seeing any leaking at the transfer case, but I also wasnt really looking there because I didn't think it was bad until I got the new diff in. I also double checked with the junkyard to make sure the gear ratio in the new rear was the same as the one that came out of my car.

 

[1991TsiTurbo]

when your backwheels locked, did your front wheels lock too?

if not, then i would suspect internal tranny problems.

I thought that just the rear wheels locking up was what happens when the transfer case locks up

 

[Lordpaxin]

They are linked.

why does towing an awd car with the back wheels on the ground destroy the Viscous Coupler. same idea here. The front and back are locked together.

I may be wrong, but if the front didnt lock up too, either the xcase Broke and the front and back were not linked together anymore, or the VC got buggered

 

[1991TsiTurbo]

So, should I have my car towed to Satan, or is this something that wouldn't be covered by the recall. I guess I should try to get under the car and check for fluid leaking, but does anyone think that the transfer case could have been the cause of my rear end failure?

 

[Morphius]

I'd suggest pulling the diff cover off the rear and counting the teeth on the ring gear just to be sure. or Pull the part #'s off it and call the dealer to check it. They should be able to tell you what it's from.

Unbolt the driveshaft from the rear diff and try turning the rear wheels. If they turn freely, then it's not the rear end. Do the same with the front. That should quickly help you narrow down if it's the front/rear.

If you suspect it's the t/case, I'd take it to the dealer.

 

[cwbroncos]

I'd check it out. If nothing else you'll know its not it. This will probably help you figure out if its leaking.
http://www.tmo.com/today/faqs/xferleak.htm

And this is just a little something more about it.
http://members.shaw.ca/costall/1000Q/answers-recalls.htm#Whatisthetransfercaserecall

 

[Enigma_Man]

Originally posted by Lordpaxin
They are linked.

why does towing an awd car with the back wheels on the ground destroy the Viscous Coupler. same idea here. The front and back are locked together.

I may be wrong, but if the front didnt lock up too, either the xcase Broke and the front and back were not linked together anymore, or the VC got buggered

I think you are slightly wrong. The VC does link the front/rear wheels together, but it's nowhere near a solid link. I've locked up the rears with the front still moving many a time (with the e-brake), and there's a difference in speed between the front and rear every single time you turn the car. The front end would have some more drag on it, yes, but it would nowhere near "lock up". The VC can take quite a bit of speed difference for a lot longer than people give it credit for. I forget the difference in speed, but when you have the wheel cranked all the way over (like during parking lot manuevers) the front and rear are moving at quite different rates. The car must be able to turn with the wheel at full lock indefinitely, so the VC can deal.

-Jesse

 

[1991TsiTurbo]

Thanks guys. I will be checking the t-case fluid level tonight after I get home from school (about an hour and a half drive). I will post my findings tonight.

 

[1991TsiTurbo]

Well I just tried to pull the car into the garage and it won't move. It will drive about 5 feet before the wheels (all 4...I checked this time) lock up and the car wont move at all. I guess its time for a tow down to Satan.