I need some rear end help

[selmerguy]

My rear end in my 93 awd is and has been messed up since I bought it. When I drive and turn the wheel like to park or any sharp turn it binds up and the tires spin. I have a friend with a wrecked awd that is a auto. Mine is manual. I also have a a 4 bolt lsd and I am not sure which rear end he has. Will I be able to swap his in for mine? Also how hard is it to rebuild a rear end? Can I do it with hand tools or should I take it to a tranny shop? If I take it to a shop what will it cost?

 

[SBstar]

I would bet rebuilding it would cost more then replacing it, if your friends is a 92 1/2 or newer it is a 4 bolt rear (manual or a/t) so I would suggest doing that.

 

[wishihadatalon]

I would bet rebuilding it would cost more then replacing it, if your friends is a 92 1/2 or newer it is a 4 bolt rear (manual or a/t) so I would suggest doing that.

You should note that a manual and an auto have different gear ratios. Also the symptoms sound alot like what my car does with my welded center diff.

 

[selmerguy]

You should note that a manual and an auto have different gear ratios. Also the symptoms sound alot like what my car does with my welded center diff.

Please elaborate more on "welded center diff." I am a smart guy but pretty ignorant when it come to drivetrane. I am tired of going through tires so fast. Everytime I make a sharp turn I loose rubber.

 

[selmerguy]

When you say they have different gear ratios will this mak the car drive poorly?

 

[awdtalontsi1992]

If you switch a auto and manual diff you will destroy your Viscous Coupler almost imediately. Was this car modded before you bought it? The previous owner may have put a welded center diff. in the car. That is what it sounds like. Imagine a normal axle. The two axles are locked together by doing some careful welding inside the diff...exactly what parts isn't important. When you go around the turn with the two wheels locked together the outside wheel has to turn faster but it can't because it is locked to the inside wheel. So one of the wheels has to scrub or drag....this causes excellerated tire wear. This same principle applies to the center diff just think of the front and read tires as the two sides of the axle previously meantioned.

 

[selmerguy]

If you switch a auto and manual diff you will destroy your Viscous Coupler almost imediately. Was this car modded before you bought it? The previous owner may have put a welded center diff. in the car. That is what it sounds like. Imagine a normal axle. The two axles are locked together by doing some careful welding inside the diff...exactly what parts isn't important. When you go around the turn with the two wheels locked together the outside wheel has to turn faster but it can't because it is locked to the inside wheel. So one of the wheels has to scrub or drag....this causes excellerated tire wear. This same principle applies to the center diff just think of the front and read tires as the two sides of the axle previously meantioned.

So you are saying that the transfer case is the problem not the rear end? Or is he cener diff. in the rear end?

 

[wishihadatalon]

So you are saying that the transfer case is the problem not the rear end? Or is he cener diff. in the rear end?

What is being said is that its possible that the center differential (which splits the power to all 4 wheels) could be welded. This causes a perfect and constant 50/50 split of power where as when you have a open diff the fronts will spins faster/slower than the rear during cornering. Now they have to turn at the same speed so the wheels hop.

As for having an auto rear end in a manual car. Yes you will burn up the viscous coupling or some other part because the rear wheels will always be spinning faster than the front and the v.c. will be trying to make up the difference.

 

[selmerguy]

Ok so.... The Center diff is the transfercase right? The way I see it is that the three main parts of the drive trane are: Tranny, transfer case and rear end. So when you say center diff you mean transfer case right? Or is it a part of the tranny or rear end?

 

[wishihadatalon]

The center diff is inside the trans. The transfer case just takes the power from side to side and sends it front to back.

 

[selmerguy]

The center diff is inside the trans. The transfer case just takes the power from side to side and sends it front to back.

Thankyou. I guess I will be learning about trannys.

 

[FusionTalon]

center diff could be worn out or the gears are cracked. www.vfaq.com has a decent center diff write up. Put the car on jackstands, put it in gear and see if you can spin the rear wheels. If its really notchy and hard to turn then your problem is probably in the rear end. Same with the front end. This way you will check your front and back diffs. The center diff is in your tranny, right hand side next to the front right wheel. Very easy to get at.

 

[Deadly BlaZe]

Thankyou. I guess I will be learning about trannys.

I've been having the same problem as you and have gone through several steps to check what the problem could be. Does the dragging of tires come with a *clank* *clank* sound from under the car? If it does, it's either your center differential is welded, your center differential is broken, or your front axles are bad.

Mine made the clanking sound and the tires were dragging so I assumed it was the center differential. I opened that thing up, and it was all fine. Turns out my front axles were busted and they made the clanking sound. Replaced the front axles, clanking sound was gone.

As for the tires dragging, it could be one of two things if it's not your center differential. Either a rear wheal bearing, or rear differential pinion bearing. I am in the process of changing my pinion bearings and we'll see if the dragging goes away for me.