Hi folks,

 

It's been a while since I posted here, 'cause the wagon has been running fine, but a BAD THING happened today. I was toodling home through my neighborhood when, upon starting up from a stop at an intersection, I heard a CLUNK and lost motive power. the engine was running and revving, and the car was...just...rolling. I hit the 4WD button on the shifter (this is a 5-speed) and the rear drive engaged. I got back underway, nice and easy, for the mile or so home. Once home, I took a quick look underneath the front end to confirm that the new CV axles and joints were still in place, which they were. So, I suspect a problem with or in the transaxle.

 

QUESTIONS: Does that sound about right? Am I overlooking anything? What's the diagnostic procedure, or did I just experience it? Is this a repair, or a replacement? How big of a PITA is the job? Considering this car has 245k miles on it and needs new front engine seals at the next timing belt change (i.e. soon), is it worth pursuing?

 

TIA

How recently did you replace the axles? Not saying you did it but in the past some people on here have put turbo 25 spline axles. In that case the roll pin broke because they have a bigger spline. I would check that the axles are still together and not busted so they free turn. You could of stripped a hub but you should of also been hearing grinding. I highly doubt anything broke in the transmission with a ea82.

Hmmm...interesting. I had a shop do the axles, but I will check the free turn.

the front wheel hub splined could be stripped , saw this on many EAs

would it go all of a sudden like that though?

would it go all of a sudden like that though?

Yes

I'll know more in the morning after I lift the front end.

Ditto on turbosubarubrat s thought ...... Look at passenger side first that your drive hub

Edited July 1, 20169 yr by SuperBrat

It looks like the driver's side CV shaft has broken up at the output shaft.

 

With the front wheels off the ground, engine running, and the transmission in neutral: the output shaft turns, there are grinding sounds, and the wheel doesn't turn. 

Same scenario, transmission in gear: output shaft turns faster, noises are louder. 

 

I expect that the mechanic who installed them will take care of this for me. CV axles ought to last more than 3,000 miles.

 

I have video and photos but I'm not sure how to post them.