- Sep 6, 2005
- 3,822
- 1
- 81
I think I killed my LSD, but I'm not sure what happened and how to approach it from here.
So, long story, about 2 months ago I changed the differential oil on my 1999 miata (probably long overdue). Came out black and thick. I only got out around 2/3 quart, and I put back in about .6 quart (Mobil 1 75w90). Most people on the miata forums say it takes nearly a full quart. However, I was pumping until it was overflowing out the fill and then some, so I don't think I underfilled it.
Fast forward 2 months, I get a slight grinding noise from the rear end. Thinking it's something dragging on the brakes, I figure I could let it slide for a few weeks while I get time to look at it. Then suddenly, I get very loud clicking from my differential. In a matter of about 10 miles, it goes from driving fine to extremely loud clicking (you can hear it down the street) and you can feel the feedback in the shifter. The only thing I can think of is that same day I was driving on cobblestone.
I drained the fluid again and I found one small metal shard and a lot of fine shavings on the plug. I tried to fill again and I still can only get 2/3 quart of fluid in. Why is my diff taking less oil and is that the cause or a symptom?
I've been a bit busy lately and the car right now is in the city so I haven't had a chance to pull the diff yet but what should I look for?
So, long story, about 2 months ago I changed the differential oil on my 1999 miata (probably long overdue). Came out black and thick. I only got out around 2/3 quart, and I put back in about .6 quart (Mobil 1 75w90). Most people on the miata forums say it takes nearly a full quart. However, I was pumping until it was overflowing out the fill and then some, so I don't think I underfilled it.
Fast forward 2 months, I get a slight grinding noise from the rear end. Thinking it's something dragging on the brakes, I figure I could let it slide for a few weeks while I get time to look at it. Then suddenly, I get very loud clicking from my differential. In a matter of about 10 miles, it goes from driving fine to extremely loud clicking (you can hear it down the street) and you can feel the feedback in the shifter. The only thing I can think of is that same day I was driving on cobblestone.
I drained the fluid again and I found one small metal shard and a lot of fine shavings on the plug. I tried to fill again and I still can only get 2/3 quart of fluid in. Why is my diff taking less oil and is that the cause or a symptom?
I've been a bit busy lately and the car right now is in the city so I haven't had a chance to pull the diff yet but what should I look for?