Possible diff problem?
#1
texasrxs.org
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Possible diff problem?
This has started recently, and has gotten worse. I don't know what might have caused it, since I do get on the gas often, but I've never actually launched my car ( for the specific reason that I'm scared of breaking something ).
What happens, when the car is cold, I'll be pulling out of my parking spot or the apartment complex, I'll accelerate from a stop as I'm turning, and while I'm slowly letting the clutch out, I get a vibration/jerking motion from the rear of the car. It sure strikes me as similar to what people have described when they lose teeth on their gears. Of course, this only happens when I'm driving from a stop, and after a few minutes it will go away completely.
The length of time that it takes to go away has started to increase. My first idea that the diff fluid needs to be changed since it goes away after the car has warmed up a little, and I know diff fluid has to warm up to get decent lubrication. And I also assume its the diff, since it only happens when I'm turning. Anyone able to pinpoint the problem exactly?
Blake
What happens, when the car is cold, I'll be pulling out of my parking spot or the apartment complex, I'll accelerate from a stop as I'm turning, and while I'm slowly letting the clutch out, I get a vibration/jerking motion from the rear of the car. It sure strikes me as similar to what people have described when they lose teeth on their gears. Of course, this only happens when I'm driving from a stop, and after a few minutes it will go away completely.
The length of time that it takes to go away has started to increase. My first idea that the diff fluid needs to be changed since it goes away after the car has warmed up a little, and I know diff fluid has to warm up to get decent lubrication. And I also assume its the diff, since it only happens when I'm turning. Anyone able to pinpoint the problem exactly?
Blake
#2
Rotary Enthusiast
Changing fluid may help, but I don't think anything is wrong with it. Mine acts the same way. Go to "How stuff works.com" for a good explanation of differentials work
#5
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MIA
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by infinitebass
PPF?
PPF?
#6
I luv my carbon footprint
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did you add limited slip differential additive the last time you changed your differential fluid? If not your differential will stay locked up in sharp turns and make the back end chatter.
Trending Topics
#8
I luv my carbon footprint
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I disagree. Page A-16 of the 1993 workshop manual says "On vehicles equipped with limited-slip differential, API GL-5, SAE 90 special lubricant is required for limited-slip differentials". Also I changed my rear diff fluid with gear oil that didn't have the LSD additives once and the back end chattered around sharp corners. I switched to redline 75w90 which does have the additive and the the chattering went away.
#9
texasrxs.org
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It shouldn't matter, I haven't had the diff fluid changed in a long time, but that should be something that would show up pretty early after the change. I might just change it, but I don't want to spend money changing it if its something much worse.
Fatman, I know what the ppf is, never seen it abbreviated though. I don't see why that would go away when it warmed up though.
Blake
Fatman, I know what the ppf is, never seen it abbreviated though. I don't see why that would go away when it warmed up though.
Blake
#10
Rotary Enthusiast
I have the same problem, but it doesnt happen all that often.
Mine usually does it when I am doing a sharp turn reversing out of a parking spot.
I recently changed my diff fluid to neo synthetic and it helped the problem some, but it still remains sometimes.
I have 86k on all my stock bushings, so my pushings may be on the way out, or my PPF is crackes somewhere, who knows.
Mine usually does it when I am doing a sharp turn reversing out of a parking spot.
I recently changed my diff fluid to neo synthetic and it helped the problem some, but it still remains sometimes.
I have 86k on all my stock bushings, so my pushings may be on the way out, or my PPF is crackes somewhere, who knows.
#11
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Salem, IN
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
diff bushings are more than likely the culprit. that and most anything is going to be a little rough until it reaches decent operating temps. buy a kaaz and you'll wish you had your current noises check you ppf for any cracking and maybe invest in some new diff bushings
#13
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Salem, IN
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by infinitebass
k, I'll take a look. Is there any way to tell if the diff bushings are bad by looking at them? How hard are they to replace?
Blake
k, I'll take a look. Is there any way to tell if the diff bushings are bad by looking at them? How hard are they to replace?
Blake
#14
texasrxs.org
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah, doesn't sound too bad. I'll take a look at them. I was looking at rotaryextreme and rx7store and didn't see and replacement bushings. Do they make improved aftermarket ones, or should I stick with Mazda ones?
Blake
Blake
#15
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Salem, IN
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by infinitebass
Ah, doesn't sound too bad. I'll take a look at them. I was looking at rotaryextreme and rx7store and didn't see and replacement bushings. Do they make improved aftermarket ones, or should I stick with Mazda ones?
Blake
Ah, doesn't sound too bad. I'll take a look at them. I was looking at rotaryextreme and rx7store and didn't see and replacement bushings. Do they make improved aftermarket ones, or should I stick with Mazda ones?
Blake
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The1Sun
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
7
09-18-15 07:13 PM