Rear diff or transfer case

[rvrftw]

OK, so I was driving along the other day, and my back wheels just locked up (not fun @ around 120km/h).

The front wheels still rotate, but the backs don't (even in neutral). I am assuming that either the rear diff or the transfer died. What is the easiest way to find out which is dead?

Also would either a dying rear diff or transef cause the car to wander on left turns under power (I.e. pull towards the apex then push away from it)?
Or is this another problem entirely?

 

[GSRWRC]

It'll be the transfer case. Ive done exactly the same thing before. The wandering under power sounds more like a suspension issue, check out the bushes on the drivers side (LCA, Anti-Roll bar), and make sure the bolts are tight.

 

[rvrftw]

how tight should the sway bar be?
I recently replaced the bushes, and started tightening it to where the bushes started to deform and then backed it off... however I believe it could be made tighter.

Also this may be a stupid question, but on a GSR, are the swaybar "links" just normal bolts? or are they supposed to be special links? (Mine are just bolts)

 

[rvrftw]

What would cause the transfer case to die?
I've regularly changed the fluids, and I haven't been launching the car.

 

[GSRWRC]

My failure was due to lack of fluid (was overlooked after a clutch swap)

 

[clone]

lack of or bad fluid. seen some die due to people putting in ATF in them to quiet them down.

 

[4piknup]

Un bolt the tailshaft. either the diff will turn or the transfer will. with all 4 wheels raised that is.

 

[rvrftw]

well it is definately the rear diff, as i had to get the car towed again (moved house), and only one of the rear wheels was locked, the othrt moved freely.

 

[4piknup]

I am not convinced. Undo the tailshaft and try to turn the diff.
Its 4 bolts, cmon

 

[captainTeeBag]

I am not convinced. Undo the tailshaft and try to turn the diff.
Its 4 bolts, cmon

I agree with jack. Doesn't sound like your diff. You were asking for advice were u not??

 

[wes7350]

It'll be the transfer case. Ive done exactly the same thing before. The wandering under power sounds more like a suspension issue, check out the bushes on the drivers side (LCA, Anti-Roll bar), and make sure the bolts are tight.

Hey GSRWRC, I have just had that exact 'rear wheel locked up' happen to me. Dragged it onto a flatdeck, got to my shop and it drove off the truck as normal????
Is this 100% the vicious coupling or something else pls??

 

[4piknup]

100% not the viscous. It can only be something floating around in the rear diff or transfer case.
Or maybe a cv or wheel issue

 

[GSRWRC]

Hey GSRWRC, I have just had that exact 'rear wheel locked up' happen to me. Dragged it onto a flatdeck, got to my shop and it drove off the truck as normal????
Is this 100% the vicious coupling or something else pls??

I'd put money on the transfer case having shat itself, not the VCU. Mine was the same, when I went to pick the car up the next day to take it to the workshop I was able to drive it onto the trailer. You'll have cooked the bearings in the transfer case (it was probably low on oil), once it cooled down the case will have free'd up a bit. Will still be toast and need changing though.