I have a '92 Legacy. My rear differential just started smoking and is causing a lot of resistance. Any ideas-is it shot, or is there a way to lube it? And if I can't afford to fix it, is there a way to disconnect it?

Hi and to the board. See if you can pinpoint where the smoking is coming from.

 

Check the gear oil level, pronto. There's a drain and fill plug on it. If it is low, the fluid is dark/burned, etc, it needs to be replaced.

Does it look like the rear diff. is wet like it leaked the gear oil out of it?

Insert a fuse in the holder under the hood near the fire wall on the passanger to deactivate the rear diff. This will let the car drive in front wheel drive only. Depending how long you drove with the rear diff over heating with the smoke rolling out will be the determining factor on wheather you fried the diff or not. A used diff from a wrecking yard shouldn't cost too much.

<<Insert a fuse in the holder under the hood near the fire wall on the passanger to deactivate the rear diff.>>

 

well, the driveshaft will still move and turn the rear diff , and wheels as long as the rear wheels move, the rear is also turning

depending on how much it smokes, it still will. the front wheel drive fuse only keeps the power from going to the rear.