Rear diff and/or Transmission knocking whirling grinding hating life! whats wrong??

[timbieber]

1985.5 944NA:
Driving the other day a horrible noise started from the rear end so i pulled over and it sounded bad then started grinding and knocking and banging! left the car and had it towed to a shop close by.

They tell me rear diff is gone and since it's basically the transmission i need transmission and rear diff? I'm not that mechanical and know the transmission is rear but is it a transmission differential in one? Can i not find rear diff and not replace the tranny!!?? I'm broke so need the cheapest solution.

If replacing the transmission is my best/cheapest route what year ranges should i be searching for a good used one and can i go 944S or 951 (any benefit)?

Help please! thanks a lot guys!

[AA_Ezra]

It Could be the Cv Joints and it could also be the rear wheel bearings. IF its the trans It shouldent bee to expensive. its even better if you're local pick-a-part has 50% off on the holidays. Price range i paid for was about 75$ i think give or take. That shop that basicaly said the transmission was bad.. Do they have expierence on these vehicles? First one?

Regards
J

[drift a 944]

Transmission and differential are combined into one unit, yes. It is known as a "transaxle." The most affordable solution is to buy a used transaxle and swap it out. If you just buy the differential you would have to remove the transmission side of the transaxle, and it would probably cost more in labor prices to have it rebuilt. Average prices for an N/A transaxle is about 200-300 dollars. Finding one for 75 is incredible!
Also a 951 transaxle will make your car feel very slow due to the taller gear ratios. I'm not sure about a 944S transaxle. Go to Clark's Garage Home Page for a list of all the different types of 944 transaxle variations and how to identify them.

[timbieber]

thanks guys. I'll keep my eyes out for a transaxle. Any idea the year range i can be looking '83 an up or just early model since mines' an '85.5?

[krystar]

they all fit..but have diff gear ratio's.

[SolReaver]

Many will bolt in. The earlier ones have a cable to feed the speeedometer, later ones have a digital input. 85.5 is close enough to the dividing line that I would check on it. Difficulties are that a used transmission is an unknown quantity. a Professional rebuild is about 2 grand. If you can pick one up for 75....get one for me as well! Double check the CV's and the wheel bearings in has it has been mis diagnosed.