Transmission or other issues on a '96 850 Turbo

norm057 · Post by **norm057** » 25 Jul 2011, 13:28

Driving my 1996 850 T5 home from a long trip several weeks ago my car made a sound like I ran over a plastic water bottle on two occasions and then lost power to the wheels. There was not any road debris that was ran over or viewed in my rear view mirror. I was able to safely coast into a gas station and get the vehicle towed home. Now I finally have a chance to get around to working on it. Here is what little I know so far...

1. The engine still runs and sounds good in neutral.
2. There are no warning lights or codes.
3. When placed in gear there is a rumbling/grinding/growling from somewhere underneath the car with a clicking sound. The sound also persists while in park.
4. When manually rotating the wheels by hand, with the front end raised, there is the same sound.
5. Definitely looks like at least one outer cv joint has grease leaking out.

My questions are:
Are all these problems in relation to the cv joints?
Is this a transmission failure?
If not, what else should I look at to get a better idea of what repairs need to be done?
Any other ideas?

Thank you in advance for your help and guidance.

Nate

Gentleman Mac · Post by **Gentleman Mac** » 25 Jul 2011, 14:54

I would argue it's just the cv; similar situation with my 98 v70 glt but without the towing.

Post by **JRL** » 25 Jul 2011, 15:16

norm057 wrote:.
5. Definitely looks like at least one outer cv joint has grease leaking out.

DOESN'T HELP THINGS

My questions are:
Are all these problems in relation to the cv joints?

NOT IN PARK

Is this a transmission failure?

PROBABLY, BUT WITHOUT HEARING IT I WOULDN'T SWEAR TO IT

******

norm057 · Post by **norm057** » 25 Jul 2011, 18:32

Alright, thanks for the replies. I just went to start the car and get a recording of the sound and the battery was dead. Any tips on other items to check in the meantime to help further diagnose the cause?