Singing the Transaxle Blues

[cygtoad]

I am getting a whirring noise on cornering and a in intermittent wobble out of the back end (like a tire lost it's weights), so I took it into my wrench to have a look.

He says a noise is coming from the transaxle and it's not a happy noise. He says without dropping the engine and popping off the transaxle he cannot give me a definitive diagnosis. Which I think is reasonable.

I asked him how much worst case scenario and he replied; for a new transaxle $4,500.00, for a used on $2,500.00. Yikes!



Any advice?

I am so screwed...singing the transaxle blues! Baby!

[2.7RACER]

Did your mechanic check the CV joints and rear wheel bearings?
Sounds like he is quoting used vs. "rebuilt" plus labor.
Gary Fairbanks in Norwalk, Connecticut rebuilds 915's from all over the US. His ads are in Pano and Excellence. Folks on this board know him. Do a search.
I would get another shop to check the CV's and wheel bearings, before paying someone to replace your transaxle.
Call Gary, he probably can refer you to someone in your area that specializes in this.

[Netspeed]

Do you have a limited slip diff?

[Early_S_Man]

I don't think you can get a new G-50 for $4500 ... maybe your wrench meant rebuilt???

I think you need a second opinion ... wheel bearing/hub problems can cause a wheel to have a wobble, but CVs and transaxles can't do that!

[Netspeed]

Early_S_Man: I know that in regular solid axle vehicles, the when the limited slip fluid needs changing, it can cause those symptoms. Are the transaxles different? I don't have a lot of transaxle experience is why I'm asking.

[cygtoad]

Early_S_Man,

Thanks for that. I had thought the same as well about the wobble. Either it is a bearing/hub problem or both a bearing/hub problem and a spearate transaxle noise problem.

I think you are probably right about getting a second opinion. There are not a lot of Porsche mechanics in NH, but I can probably find another to take a look.

Matt

[cygtoad]

Originally posted by Netspeed
Do you have a limited slip diff?

Not really sure, but if I had to guess, I would say that I don't have a limited slip diff.

[POVI]

Hi Matt

Im over by Epping and work in Manchester if you wanted to come by and i'll take a quick look / hear for you.

Let me know ..
Take care

Joe

[cygtoad]

Thanks Joe,

That is really nice of you. However, I think what I am going to do is get a second opinion from Amoskeg Imports on the other side of the river.

My birthday is in March so, I am going to have to get it stickered. I might bring it to Valvoline for that, they likely won't pick up on the drivetrain issue. One would have to drive it for some time to notice an issue even existed.

It's nice to hear from another Pelican in the area! I will keep you posted on what happens with the car.

Thanks again,

Matt

[Jim Smolka]

You have a G50 911? If so, those are great gearboxes and good for maybe 200K miles. How many miles on your '87?

[rcecale]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
... wheel bearing/hub problems can cause a wheel to have a wobble, but CVs and transaxles can't do that!

Yep....had this happen on my car when I lived in Tahoe. Turned out the rear wheel bearings were shot....mainly on the passenger side, but both were worn. Swapped them out and fixed all the wobbling.

Randy

[cygtoad]

Jim,

It is a G-50 and that is the thing. The car only has 110K miles on it. I can't figure on how it has failed so soon, if it has in fact failed.

I have no trouble at all shifting from one gear to the next. No slippage from the clutch. I don't get it.

Everthing I read points to worn bearings or hubs, but the wrench says no, it is the tranny.

I will be getting a second opinion for sure, and let you know what I find.

Randy, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I hope it is the same trouble as you had.

Matt