blown diff pin???

[omeara7]

I think I blew my differential (92 MTX) but I'm not sure. I was driving on the highway (60mph) and i started to hear a slight rattle when I would accelerate or decelerate in gear. The first thing that popped into my mind was a loose diff pin but I doubted it and thought it might be a rattle from my exhaust. I got off the highway and onto some back road. When shifting from 1st gear to 2nd (only took 1st gear to 2000-2500 rpm) I heard a loud pop followed by some grinding-metal noise. So I pulled over to the side of the road and when I got out of the car, I saw a trail of fluid leading up to the car. After smelling/looking at the fluid, I realized it was in fact tranny fluid. I went under the car and found a couple pieces of chewed up aluminum where the transmission meets the block (oil pan). Any suggestions on what happened? The only thing I can think of is the diff...(the car still drives but the clutch feels like it barely engages at all). I also read about potential pressure plate strap(s) breaking but would that cause the fluid to leak out? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bizzy]

Sounds like you blew the diff alright. Best thing for you to do now is to start looking for another transmission unless the hole is very small. If the hole is small enough it is possible to repair the hole, I've done this on a number of transmissions with no issues.

Note on the above, it is not a good idea to try and repair a hole with the transmission installed on the car. You really can't get a good solid weld on it if there is transmission fluid inside, even a small amount can cause problems. Along with that, the aluminum case often puckers inside which doesn't allow a good seal from the outside so internal inspection and repair is also necessary.

If you want me to take a look at it just send me a PM.

 

[omeara7]

what's the average going price for a used MTX transmission? I think I might be better off looking into another klunker SHO and using mine for parts. Thanks for the advice.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

normally under $200

 

[omeara7]

If it wasn't the differential, are there any other notorious parts in the transmission that snap/break and tear through the tranny-housing? I'm wondering this because I found some metal chunks where the transmission meets the block (clutch-location) which is why I was thinking maybe a pressure-plate strap or something clutch/pressure-plate-related. I'm still thinking it's the diff but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

 

[Yamaha V6]

normally under $200

I'd love to find a nice supply of good MTX's under $200 Kenny. They're usually $350-$400 min. up here in the northeast, sometimes more, depending on the availability.

 

[omeara7]

Yea,
I didn't think I'd find a functional MTX for $200, if I could even find one at all.

 

[Bizzy]

How big is the hole in the case? I realize you might not be able to see the extent of it all, but give me a general idea.

 

[TRSCobra]

When my pressure plate straps broke, I had the same problem. The broken strap cut through the differential housing (right along the bellhousing) and fluid dripped out. If your clutch feels weird, but the car still moves, you may have 1 strap broken. Mine broke 2 and the car wouldn't move. I thought it was the diff pin until i got the trans out and saw the clutch.

Just a possibility.

 

[jedhead]

Try a pick a part type junkyard whereas you have to pull the tranny yourself. The SHO we pulled the quiafe equipped tranny from (for $83) had another tranny sitting in the trunk which would have went for $83 too.

Bob

 

[ManySHOs]

Yea,
I didn't think I'd find a functional MTX for $200, if I could even find one at all.

Oh, they're around here.

I don't have any spares at the moment but I do know of at least one person in NJ with a used one for sale. PM me if you are interested (send me your email address when you do) and I can get you in touch with him. There might be one in West Chester, PA as well.

Ian

 

[JTSHO]

since i just sold my mtx, ...what is that # of sho's on the road times # of diff pins blown in the last year...wow this getting expensive. :corn:

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

I'd love to find a nice supply of good MTX's under $200 Kenny. They're usually $350-$400 min. up here in the northeast, sometimes more, depending on the availability.

I was just going by what Ive seen on ebay.

Right now I have two spares.... I grabbed them up when I had the chance for next to nothing. I got lucky, because in my 6 years Ive lived up here on the NW coast of california, Ive seen but ONE SHO in the junkyard. ONE. And it had a blown diff

 

[omeara7]

how much is involved in a tranny swap? I am fairly mechanically inclined but have never done a transmission before. I do have ford's shop-manual which I'm sure would help a lot. I just have to decide if it's worth the effort/hastle of a transmission swap or if I should just start looking for a new SHO all together.

 

[ManySHOs]

how much is involved in a tranny swap? I am fairly mechanically inclined but have never done a transmission before. I do have ford's shop-manual which I'm sure would help a lot. I just have to decide if it's worth the effort/hastle of a transmission swap or if I should just start looking for a new SHO all together.

Support engine from above, drop the subframe, unbolt trans, bolt in new trans. It's the same as a clutch job. Any SHO that you get at this point will need a clutch at some point down the road. Unless your SHO is in horrible shape, I'd just replace the trans now and be done with it. If you aren't on a tight budget, consider installing a Quaife differential into the spare trans that you get. Besides the grin that it'll put on your face, it'll be worth the peace of mind knowing that you'll never have another failure like this again. Plus, it might help the resale value of your SHO down the road.

Ian

 

[jocosho]

wow... thought i was reading my own post.... just that mine tore apart at about 60 mph... here were my results.
MTX destruction pics... http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-abcb5
from the recent thread "What happenned? MTX destruction..."