Thread: It finally happened - Death of a Tranny

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

When I got home today I went out and jacked up the passenger side of the car and tried spinning the wheel. I can definitely spin it, it acts like it wants to catch but it doesnt and just a little extra pressure keeps it spinning.

So, am I correct to assume that this means the diff is bad? I wasnt able to do the other test James recommended because Im the only one here right now, the wife has to work late.

yeah the axle and the diff will do that if either/or broke, thats why you have to start at the first test and determine the integrity of the axles...

but yes you have correctly determined that you either blew an axle or the diff
the reason i want you to have two people is to minimize futher damage since the trans is only put into gear for a short time then put in Neutral (vs putting it in gear, getting out and looking yourself) if it is the diff you want to make sure that you dont damage the trans case making a simple repair turn into a ***** in a hurry lol

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

The next question is this; if the diff is bad, is it better to go ahead and pull the tranny and rebuild it, or will I be okay with just replacing the diff and changing the fluid, filter and all that?

I was going to put the car up on stands and drop the pan, but I lowered the floor jack and when I thought to go ahead and put it up on jack stand, the floor jack broke. The little lever that holds the jack handle split open. So I need to get a new floor jack now, but I needed another set of jack stands anyway so thats not a biggie.

Anyway, looking for any input that may be had. Its getting chilly out there but Im going to try and get a ride to the parts store and pick up a new jack and jack stands and at least try and find out whats in the pan.

i'd check for shrapnel but yeah i'd just slap in a new diff and ride it till the trans dies (not a bad idea to throw another magnet in the pan for sh17s and giggles)

sorry to hear about the jack, it sucks when a tool dies...

but you can now go bigger