Stranded in my '89 944 S2
09-04-2004, 10:40 PM
#1
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Stranded in my '89 944 S2
I guess sooner or later it's bound to happen to all of us...
I was driving home from dinner with the wife and kids, at about 25 mph, turning left at a fork in the road. BAM! Metallic dragging sound coming from underneath the rear of the car. Pulled over immediately (luckily was on a quiet country road 2 miles from home) thinking I had dropped the exhaust. Nothing was dragging.
Got back in and the car doesn't go. Runs fine, revs fine, no go. The metallic sound was coming from the rear of the vehicle. I also think I can hear the torque tube spinning when I let out the clutch.
Left it on the side or the road for daylight and time to reflect. Questions, in order of immediacy:
1) Any advice about getting towed home? Techniques for picking the car, etc? I'm assuming they'll use the towing method where they put a metal bridle under each of the front wheels and lift -- will this damage anything?
2) So, what was it? Is it the clutch? Car has 116,000 mile son the clock, and about 30k miles on it since last clutch replacement (was purchased from Auto Atlanta, part # 944 116 911 00 "Clutch kit, 944 83-89"). My hunch tells me that this was something in the rear end, not up front. How do I tell?
I also thought that the clutch generally fails engaged, not disengaged.
Anyway, looks like I need help from the list. Much appreciated. My Sunday morning begins with a tow <groan>
Noah
I was driving home from dinner with the wife and kids, at about 25 mph, turning left at a fork in the road. BAM! Metallic dragging sound coming from underneath the rear of the car. Pulled over immediately (luckily was on a quiet country road 2 miles from home) thinking I had dropped the exhaust. Nothing was dragging.
Got back in and the car doesn't go. Runs fine, revs fine, no go. The metallic sound was coming from the rear of the vehicle. I also think I can hear the torque tube spinning when I let out the clutch.
Left it on the side or the road for daylight and time to reflect. Questions, in order of immediacy:
1) Any advice about getting towed home? Techniques for picking the car, etc? I'm assuming they'll use the towing method where they put a metal bridle under each of the front wheels and lift -- will this damage anything?
2) So, what was it? Is it the clutch? Car has 116,000 mile son the clock, and about 30k miles on it since last clutch replacement (was purchased from Auto Atlanta, part # 944 116 911 00 "Clutch kit, 944 83-89"). My hunch tells me that this was something in the rear end, not up front. How do I tell?
I also thought that the clutch generally fails engaged, not disengaged.
Anyway, looks like I need help from the list. Much appreciated. My Sunday morning begins with a tow <groan>
Noah
09-04-2004, 11:05 PM
#3
Drifting
I agree it's from the back of the car, and will guess:
- CV joint
- Shift linkage came loose
- Blown tranny (not very likely)
To tow it, screw in the factory tow ring to the nose of the car. The tow ring should be in your factory tool pouch and it threads in to the upper opening of the front bumper. Also, use a flatbed tow truck.
Good luck...
- CV joint
- Shift linkage came loose
- Blown tranny (not very likely)
To tow it, screw in the factory tow ring to the nose of the car. The tow ring should be in your factory tool pouch and it threads in to the upper opening of the front bumper. Also, use a flatbed tow truck.
Good luck...
09-05-2004, 09:48 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
Noah, it's generally a bad idea to tow the car from the front.
If you're going to use a flatbed, then it's best to use straps on the rear suspension arms and pull the car up from behind.
If you're not using a flatbed, then the "cradle" method is best. This method holds up the rear of the car by the rear wheels.
As for the problem, if it sounded like you had a bunch of marbles back there, it could very well be the ring and pinion. A failing clutch shouldn't be sudden, like that.
Good luck with the tow, and sorry it happened!
If you're going to use a flatbed, then it's best to use straps on the rear suspension arms and pull the car up from behind.
If you're not using a flatbed, then the "cradle" method is best. This method holds up the rear of the car by the rear wheels.
As for the problem, if it sounded like you had a bunch of marbles back there, it could very well be the ring and pinion. A failing clutch shouldn't be sudden, like that.
Good luck with the tow, and sorry it happened!
09-05-2004, 10:49 AM
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Guys, thanks for your adivce. Got the car towed home on a flatbed.
While I didn't have the towing eye, the driver had a hook that grabbed the eye just fine.
Time to get it up on jackstands and see what's what. I'm hoping it's a CV problem and not ring and pinion!
Stau tuned.
Noah
While I didn't have the towing eye, the driver had a hook that grabbed the eye just fine.
Time to get it up on jackstands and see what's what. I'm hoping it's a CV problem and not ring and pinion!
Stau tuned.
Noah
09-05-2004, 06:48 PM
#7
Drifting
I vote CV. Spinning metalic sound from the rear with the car in gear and clutch out, if the cv is disconnected it will spin. The bolts on the cv's have a tendancy to back themselves out. At the speed you were going there shouldn't be that much torque on the ring & pinion to cause it to fail.
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09-05-2004, 09:42 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by DinoEck
with the wife and kids
umm..yeah, survey says...r & p
has anyone ever noticed warning sounds preceding these 'events' ?...
just curious
09-06-2004, 12:35 AM
#10
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by StupEd05
Look in the back by the tranny and I bet you will see the CV axle dangling
09-06-2004, 04:24 AM
#12
Race Car
The sounds are like a cv that came off the transmission (whether it be broken, or just all the bolts backed out). However, if there is nothing hanging down (I think either you or the tow truck driver would have noticed), then I vote for R&P. Although, they usually only fail under extreme load.
09-06-2004, 11:19 AM
#13
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Once I got under the car, it was obvious that the CV was dangling... One bolt sheared, the rest backed out.
Hope that's all the damage. Stay tuned. Thanks for all the advice. Sorry to disappoint the R&P crowd
Noah
Hope that's all the damage. Stay tuned. Thanks for all the advice. Sorry to disappoint the R&P crowd
Noah
