tailpipe

Sounds more like a CV joint to me. better to check before you kill the trans. it could even be a parking brake shoe that has come loose....they make a horrible noise when they come loose, pieces fall out too... make sure it is the trans and not something way cheaper. 3 spd autos are pretty much bulletproof, they either work well or not at all.

Landseer

83, 84, 85 and 86 are all 4 speed automatic, very similar, interchangeable in all practical respects.

A later S4 tranmission can also fit, but will require an S4 torque converter, hybridized bowden cable and an S4 selector cable. (BTDT)

ledee416

so, so true.

WallyP

Jack the rear wheels off the ground so you can safely spin the rear wheels. Start it, put it in drive and listen at the rear wheels. I'm betting that the problem isn't the transmission.

Smog shouldn't be all that expensive...

jeff spahn

You could always move out of California to a non smog state. You'd pay lower taxes and probably live longer too.

Emickelsen

AMEN!! Wish I could. I'd go in a heart beat!!

I just did the CV joints and they sounded fine, but will check them again. I'll check the other things to................................................................ next year.

karl ruiter

rcrone- No hate for the '83 at all. Some of my best friends are Ljet US 928s. Seriously...perhaps the most solid and reliable of the 928s, and plenty fast (at least in the 5 speed, never had an auto of this vintage) No CIS headaches and no 32V headaches. But they are not selling at a good price unless they are in very good condition. The biggest factor may be that there are more of this type of 928 than any other, so not scarce, but there are other factors too. This is a good news/ bad news deal. You can get into one for almost nothing, and parts are pretty reasonable and easily available, but it does get discouraging throwing money and time into a car that will be hard to sell. Personally I don't worry about that at all as this is a hobby to me and not something that I am trying to make money on.

rcrone928

Sorry for the rant karl. I'm just getting old and kranky I guess. It seems to me haveing alot of 83s around meens more chances of getting parts is kind of a plus.

17prospective buyer

The irony...

LUCKYJACKASS

If you decide to DIY and need a hand, let me know. I have a trans jack and could come down for a weekend and help you out if you don't have any wrenching help from the Cali guys. I've never taken a transaxle out of a 928, but will be doing it to mine sometime next year and would appreciate the experience. Hope you keep it and keep it on the road.

Emickelsen

That's very generous Jeff, thanks. I would live to keep it going. If anything else, I would LOVE to have another 928. I hope I have a better outlook next year.

RPetty2

My Tranny used to do some interesting things lets say, driving at 40mph and all of a Sudden drops to first gear at 5500 rpm. Sometimes it would not grab when I put it in drive. Brian doty said change the filter and fluid, and so I did. Tranny feels brand new. Give that a shot you never know,feels like expensive but it could only be maybe 100$

jheis

Nah, just seems longer....

SanDiego928

Sweet! Worked out well.

Fix and drive another 5 years. Or, get another, this time a 5 speed with perfect interior, running perfect, your fav color. Then supercharge it.

Emickelsen

Can't believe I forgot to mention this. Either the LSD, or the posi in the diferential (sorry, not sure what controls it), is damaged. In a tight turn, like in a parking lot, one wheel is not being allowed to turn at a different rate. It just skids and hops across the ground. Anyway, not good.

Please don't laugh to hard, but I have to ask (you don't get what you don't ask for). Is there any interest in this car before I scrap it in the back yard or part it out? I hate to see it rot away to nothing, but I really don't have any other choice right now.