How much worse is a 3 bolt rear end?

[droopynuts]

My rear diff went out recently, and all I have been able to locate so far within a reasonable price is a 3 bolt rear end with LSD. Its actually the one in the classifieds, but I was wondering how much worse would this be to run on my car than a 4 bolt?

 

[project_tsi]

You will get a lot of different responses to this question.

There is alot of people pushing a high amount of power to a 3 bolt rear, w/ no problems. On the other hand, there is a good deal of people that have destroyed a 3 bolt rear w/ a 14b or small size turbo, and a few hard launches.

Depeding on how you drive the car, treat the car, perform you launches, and what kind of power your wanting, will factor in weather or not you need a 3 or 4 bolt rear end.

 

[droopynuts]

I figured it wouldn't be a cut and dry answer. How I drive the car really depends on the mood I'm in as well. Most of the time I'm pretty conservative/responsible, as I try to conserve gas. If you look at my mod list, you know I'm not pushing that much power. I do like to launch the car "hard" at times though.

 

[project_tsi]

Wait, from what I just read, you have a 2g. Everything from 92 and up come stock w/ 4 bolt rear ends, so how did you break yours?

And also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think a 3 bolt rear end from a 1g will work in a 2g. (Never owned AWD)

 

[droopynuts]

I parked illegally and they towed my car with the back end on the ground.




That may just be the case, so thanks for the heads up.

 

[project_tsi]

Can't you make them pay for it for un proper towing?

 

[jtmcinder]

I parked illegally and they towed my car with the back end on the ground.

Then isn't this their problem? (In most places, the towing company is responsible for any damage even when removing an illegally-parked car.)

Also: I'm a bit surprised that this took out the rear diff. Are you sure that this is the part of the drivetrain that they trashed?

- Jtoby

 

[project_tsi]

Also: I'm a bit surprised that this took out the rear diff. Are you sure that this is the part of the drivetrain that they trashed?

- Jtoby

Hmm I didn't think about that but you have a valid point. Have you or have you had the problem checked out? It's possible your Viscous Coupler has broken, and not the entire rear diff.

 

[droopynuts]

My car has been legally improperly towed on one occasion before this, and it fried my VC. Which is what I expected to occur this time as well. However, as I got the car home from the lot I noticed that my rear wheel skipped as I pulled into a parking space. Took it to Satan to get a "diagnosis" more so a certified letter that their tow job fried my rear end. They agreed, and wrote the letter. The Tow Company told me to go #### myself-the car was towed on dollies- so I'm taking them to small claims court. In the mean time, its my only car so I'm searching for a new rear end.

 

[jtmcinder]

Rear-wheel skipping is a symptom of a seized center VC as well as being a symptom of a seized rear VC. And my experience with dealers would make me say that they listened to what you said was done to the car (along with what you thought was the problem), then went back to the shop and smoked a few cigarettes (ignoring the car), and then wrote the letter based on your plausible guess. What do they care? It's the tow-company's insurance that will pay. Going father, I'll bet you are all wrong and it's the center VC.

Search around. I have posted the process for diagnosing which is seized. Do the tests yourself.

- Jtoby

 

[GeosTalon]

I would agree that I would suspect the VC before I suspected the rear end, especially a 4 bolt.

I cannot believe in this day and age someone would be that stupid and not bother to look under the car and see the rear axle. Hell, READ THE SIDE OF THE F***ING CAR! Perhaps those "This car is AWD" stickers would be a good idea. I know that if they don't care that it'll get dragged anyways, but at least you've got a legal leg to stand on.

On another note, I was also wonder if I should change out my 3-bolt for a 4-bolt. Just seems like a good idea; just take a look at the flanges and axle thickness.

 

[ian7321]

Your center Diff is toast.

 

[LA97GST]

Yea deff. look at the VC. This happened to my brother and it burnt it all up. I'm keeping an open mind though so keep us updated.

 

[94Jettameowpsst]

Cant swap 1g-2g, different gear ratios.