Possible broken front differential

Good morning,

The front differential is part of the transmission itself and does share the same fluid.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Something failed in the transaxle that caused the car to stop working.

The engine and transaxle are removed together to replace the transmission.

Roy

Automatic Transaxle Unit Dismounting and Remounting
Dismounting
1. Take down transaxle with engine.
2. Remove engine rear mounting No. 1 bracket and engine rear mounting No.2 bracket with stiffener.
3. Remove center bearing support bolts (3) and remove center bearing support (2) with center shaft (1) from differential side gear.


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4. Remove lower stiffener.


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5. Remove drive plate bolts.
To lock drive plate (1), engage a flat head rod or the like (2) with drive plate gear.
6. Remove starting motor.


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7. Remove bolts and nut fastening engine and transaxle, then detach transaxle from engine.

NOTE: When detaching transaxle from engine, move it in parallel with crankshaft and use care so as not to apply excessive force to drive plate and torque converter.

WARNING: Be sure to keep transaxle with torque converter horizontal or facing up throughout the work. Should it be tilted with torque converter down, converter may fall off and cause personal injury.



A/T Fluid Change
1. Lift up vehicle.


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2. When engine is cool, remove drain plug (1) from transaxle housing (2) and drain A/T fluid.
3. Install drain plug (1).
Tightening torque
A/T fluid drain plug (a): 40 Nm (4.0 kgf-cm, 29.0 ft. lbs.)


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4. Lower vehicle and fill proper amount of an equivalent of DEXRON-III or DEXRON-IIE
5. Check fluid level referring to A/T Fluid Level Check.
Automatic transaxle fluid An equivalent of DEXRON-III or DEXRON-IIE
Automatic transaxle fluid capacity
When draining from drain plug hole: 2.9 liters (6.13/5.10 US/Imp. pt.)
When overhauling: 6.2 liters (13.10/10.91 US/Imp. pt.)

What about the front differential? Where is the filler plug on that?

As I stated before, they share the same oil as the transmission. It is all one unit.

Roy

Then why am I getting a really bad squeal when driving? Think it usually happens when the gas pedal is applied.

I need to hear the noise.

Can you upload a video of the noise so I can hear it?

Roy

I don’t have a video. I’d have to record one. This is the plug that was drained.

When I checked it, it was empty.

Hi,

I noted we haven't heard from you for a couple of days. I was wondering if any progress has been made or if you needed additional help. If possible, let us know. We are interested in knowing.

Take care,
Joe

I do. I am at an impasse. What do I do from here?

Hi,

No problem. Is the vehicle presently being used? As far as the transmission/diff fluid, has it been refilled and rechecked for level and condition? The noise could be something slipping in the transmission. Let me know as much as you can at this point. I'm specifically interested in knowing what the fluid looks like at this time.

Take care,
Joe

Car is not being driven ever since I towed it back to my house just to be safe. The squealing is from the transmission though. My first main question is, how do you fill the front differential?

The differential on this vehicle is integral to the transaxle. It receives the same fluid as the transmission. Have you refilled the transmission?

Joe

The transmission is showing it’s full.

That is what I found out as well and posted the same thing.

I cannot identify that plug you are posting.

Can you upload some other pictures of that plug?

Roy

This is a quick video of what I am dealing with underneath. Right now, when I drive it at low speeds (no more than 5 MPH through the neighborhood) it feels as if I am driving with a tire that has a flat side.

Hi,

Watching the video, I realized you are referring to the transfer case. Do me a favor. Take a look at the attached pic. I circled the fill plug and highlighted the drain. If it is empty, pic 2 shows the capacity and fluid type.

Note: While watching the video, I did see red fluid hanging from parts under the vehicle. That is transmission fluid, so check to see where that leak is coming from as well.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe