sounds to me like your center diff self welded itself. not uncommon. especially if you drove car with space saver.

symptoms would be drivetrain chatter as front wheels move faster that rear when you turn. will feel like brakes are on during coasting. the bigger difference between tire sizes front to rear the bigger the brakes. even brand new tires would be different sizes after just 200 miles. went through these pains with welded diff in yellow car years ago. this is why I dont recommend welded center for street cars.

 

It was like this before the blow out. It was like this the first time we drove it out of the driveway. The rear tires are wearing very quick. so I have a new trans, etc lined up.

 

if tranny is otherwise working well i wouldnt risk replacing it. the center diff can be removed in the car.

in a FWD car when you turn the outside wheel has to travel a greater distance. thats what the differential is there for. to allow the inside tire to turn slower and the outer faster. when the diff is welded its a nightmare to make a u turn. the inside tire has to turn backwards while the outer turns faster. very hard on the tires. they literally scrub to death during turns.

the front and back wheels of AWD car act like the left and right wheel of FWD. and the center diff is like the diff in FWD. when front tires are turning faster the rear have to go faster than the pavement to catch up. so they are screeching across the pavement. this is very hard on the drivetrain. especially rear diff which will chatter and heat up quickly.

the car had a what sounded like a dragging rear rotor from sticking break caliper or possible a worn bearing. both of which would have masked any other sound the car may have been making. hope you get it worked out with too much pain..

 

The rear bearings are new, OEM. The rear calipers/pads/rotors are new also. Its definitely drivetrain. I'm going to replace everything then look at all the original parts to see what failed.

 

can you drive it here??

 

I'd hope so. I still drive it almost 100miles a day still. If your going straight its fine.

I can stop tomorrow after work if you want to drive it. And just so you know, I'm not mad at you Jerry for this stuff. It happens.

 

Here's another issue that its had. Reverse with the wheel turned 3/4 of the way. Car was hot, trans was hot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq9KMp4vMf4&context=C31cebedADOEgsToPDskKMoi7q4ZBJMn1lO1N-Qndm

 

reverse smooth when wheels are straight. but when wheels are turned it drives like brakes are applied. = welded center diff