Rear Tires...

[DRated]

Hey ya'll... i've done some research but I want to confirm what I think is the problem with my 94 TSi. It doesn't have LSD, but does have abs.

I recently installed a dvd screen in my car and since then the abs light came on about 2 minutes after driving it each time I started the car. Since then, about 2 days... nothing has happened when driving.

Tonight when I was driving, i felt a shuddering and vibrant rumbling. I pulled over as fast as possible, but the rumbling/shuddering went away. I got out and thought I blew a tire. It wasn't that, everything looked fine. I drove another 15 miles and the shuddering came back. I pulled over and noticed that my rear tires were dragging. This time, it didn't go away.

After research i've come to the conclusion that its probably the rear differential. What would I need to go about to check? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Andrew

 

[Lordpaxin]

Id check the brakes on the rear end, make sure they arent locked up for frozen, check for excessive wear on the rotors.

Check the fluid in the rear differential.

your problem is more likely to be xcase related.

CHeck the fluid in the Transfer case, Inspect the trasfer case surface for fluid leaking. There is a recall for xcases, they lockup. The fluid leaks out the Yoke side, im not 100% on this.

You can find big info on this subject here on tuners,
is the rear locked up completley? or just dragging. Dont drive your car or attempt to move it around your house in the current state, you could burn up your Center diff, or the Viscous coupler or someting.



Check out this Link
http://www.tmo.com/today/faqs/xferleak.htm

 

[DRated]

Its just the rear end. it'll move about a 1/4 tire turn in each direction.

 

[Lordpaxin]

Did the fluid run out of your rear?

or did it just fail.

Its probly a 4bolt rearend, you could unbolt the driveshaft, jack it up and see if the rear will spin by hand.

You may contact some of these JDM dealers, ask them about a Rear differential form a gvr4.

Might get a cheap deal.
I used one in my 91. Only difference is the rear steering pump runs off the diff via a plastic gear. Just pull out the pump and weld a cap on it.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I think you should heed paxin's advice. The transfer cases leak bad from the factory, this causes bearings failure which leads to the rear tires locking up or resisting movement.

Pull your T-case out and inspect it. While its out. Try to turn the rear wheels. If the move easy (by that I mean you should be able to do it by hadn, then you know for sure that the problem was before the driveshaft and most likely the t-case.

 

[DRated]

I actually called my local dealership to check and see whether the transfer case recall had been done on. It hadn't. So, i'm going to have them fix it and see if that fixes the problem first. I did notice on the exhaust some dark brown spray of some kind of lubricant, it looks like. After reading all the posts on transfer cases, it seems like that this might be the cause of my tires locking up. Keep ya posted. Thanks for the help.

 

[DRated]

Well, after replacing the transfer case, I still have the same problem. I'm going to try and diagnose it by doing the unbolt of the rear end. Anyone else have some suggestions? Could it be a problem with the abs? I wouldn't think so, because it'd be all 4 wheels locking up, but what does everyone else think?

 

[laserspeeddemon]

The transfer case lock up could cause rear diff damage. If you remove the drive shaft. You will likely still have the same problem. Try removing both half-shafts in the rear. When you do this drive REALLY slow and at low RPMs as the vicous coupler will be working over time to even the power between the front and rear. If removing the half shafts cures the problem will likely be the rear diff or drive shaft, though most likely the rear diff. This should be cover be the factory. I believe the recall said to replace all components damaged by the transfer case. Regardless, the dealership should not have given the car back to you in this condition.

If the problem does not go away with the rear half-shafts removed, then your problems lies in the hubs.

The half shaft is easily removed; it's 4 bolts on the hub, and a good tug out the differential, be aware that you will leak gear oil, so you might want to drain it first. Remove both and take it for a slow spin.

 

[DRated]

The dealer is trying to say that it may be a result of old diff fluid. I havent driven the car in 2 years almost. Is this possible?

 

[laserspeeddemon]

They will say anything to get out of paying for more components related to the recall. Is it possible, yes, but not likely. I know of people going over 200,000 miles on orginal fluids without problems, its DUMB, but it won't cause the problem you are referring. The problem started after the failer of the transfer case, that is likely the problem.

 

[DRated]

I would think so as well. Thanks for the insight.

 

[DRated]

I talked with Mr. English today and he thinks my failed transfer case might've messed up my center differential. The dealer is going to open up my tranny. Of course, you know if they find that the transfer case didn't mess it up, then i'm stuck with a pretty high bill. If so, then it should be covered under the warranty.

 

[DRated]

Geez. After all this bad luck with my car, come to find out I may need another tranny. Apparently, (I did the JDM swap and my current tranny from my US 6-bolt (92-94)), I have the wrong tranny. Spline is different I guess? Can someone enlighten me with a good, clear link or helpful info? Thanks.

 

[Lordpaxin]

that is retarded.

there is 22 spline and 23 spline.

im not sure which was which but one was early, and then it has been the other ever since, but your car is a 94, and you swapped from a 92? that will match. sounds like a big heaping load of crap to me.

think about it, how could a 22 spline and a 23 spline mate up and you drive your car around?

remember those toys when we were kids where you put the shapes through the same shape hole.

you just cant stick a sqaure in a round hole, and you cant slide a 23 spline shaft into a 22 spline hole.