MAKG
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2007
- Messages
- 4,634
- Reaction score
- 19
- Points
- 0
- Location
- California central coast
- Vehicle Year
- 1991
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 4.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
My wife reported an occasional "funny noise" in the Prizm, so I drove it for a bit. I found that, every once in a while, it would get a rhythmic rubbing noise at wheel speed. It's almost certainly coming from the left front wheel, and I could only make it happen while turning left and accelerating at the same time.
My first two thoughts were "brakes" and "CV joint." So I took the front wheels off and did an inspection. The brakes are around 50% all the way around. Balljoints, wheel bearings, and TREs all check out. I couldn't find play in the driveaxles (installed -- I don't have the time to yank the driveline out of this thing). HOWEVER, there seems to be some play in the differential output. I can wiggle the left side axleshaft from side to side, substantially, and the inboard joint moves with it. I don't see any play in the right side axle (but it has a center support bearing bolted to the engine block).
This transaxle is the one transmission I own that I've never had in pieces in the driveway. Is there a bushing I can replace here? Is the play normal? Do I need a side gear? Or is it still possible that the play is normal or I just need a driveaxle? Ripping this transaxle apart doesn't scare me, except for the downtime and availability of parts. It's not THAT common a transaxle, and I know where to find dozens in a Pick'n'Pull (it's down the street from the factory that assembled Prizms). But I'd rather not go there if it's something much simpler. Am I barking up the right tree?
Has anyone dealt with this issue? This is a very high mileage vehicle, about 275K miles now. The driveaxles are not original, but the transmission is.
My first two thoughts were "brakes" and "CV joint." So I took the front wheels off and did an inspection. The brakes are around 50% all the way around. Balljoints, wheel bearings, and TREs all check out. I couldn't find play in the driveaxles (installed -- I don't have the time to yank the driveline out of this thing). HOWEVER, there seems to be some play in the differential output. I can wiggle the left side axleshaft from side to side, substantially, and the inboard joint moves with it. I don't see any play in the right side axle (but it has a center support bearing bolted to the engine block).
This transaxle is the one transmission I own that I've never had in pieces in the driveway. Is there a bushing I can replace here? Is the play normal? Do I need a side gear? Or is it still possible that the play is normal or I just need a driveaxle? Ripping this transaxle apart doesn't scare me, except for the downtime and availability of parts. It's not THAT common a transaxle, and I know where to find dozens in a Pick'n'Pull (it's down the street from the factory that assembled Prizms). But I'd rather not go there if it's something much simpler. Am I barking up the right tree?
Has anyone dealt with this issue? This is a very high mileage vehicle, about 275K miles now. The driveaxles are not original, but the transmission is.