What could be the possible problem with an XT6 AWD that only gos into gear when the differential lock button is pushed in. Won't drive at all(won't even go into gear) when button is not pushed in and locked. This is an 88 with AWD and 5 speed. Any ideas

 

Thanks in advance, Joe

Probably a busted cv joint. Being FT4WD, it'll send power to the wheel with least resistance, that being the busted one. Lock the diff, and it's forced to send equal power to front and rear. So, when you lock the diff, in your case, you're actually forcing the car to become either FWD or RWD, depending on which CV is broken.

Trogdor sure sound like he has it covered, but

You do not mention any noise.

a broken CV will let the axle (half shaft) flail around and make an awful racket.

The hub could be stripped and be letting the half shaft spin, I think you would hear a racheting sound though.

The diff ring and pinion could be toataly toast. You may not hear this.

Find what end is not doing any pushing by jacking each end up with a floor jack

and gently try to move the car in gear.

Then we can get to the bottom of the proper fix.

Hope this helps

Do you think it could be a front end? or maybe a transfer case? A cv joint would have given some prior warning right? when differential lock is on it will drive but only in rear wheel. When it not pushed in nothing at all. Are parts for the front end or transfer case hard to get? Also can I drive it like this(with the dirrerential locked) or will that just make it worse.

 

Thanks,Joe

I'm going to pick up the XT6 in a few hours. I'm getting pretty excited!! I will keep you informed of what I find wrong with it.

 

Thanks, Joe

Could also be that the spider gears, which are the diff gears, have blown out in either the front or rear diff. This maty have made a noise when it went out, but possibly quite once the pieces come to rest out of the way somewhere.

 

Something was mentioned about going to get the car. If this is a new purchase or acquire, perhaps someone broke one of the half shafts at a wheel and removed the rest of it from the spline shaft off the front or rear diff. Had to do that in an emergency with a wagon I had once just to get car home. Twas a rear wheel drive GL for a few weeks.

Just got home with it. Its got to cv joints. I drove it and thats what I think. Plus the boot on the passenger side is missing.

 

thanks for all the help,

 

Joe