Something wrong with my car...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slippery
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Slippery

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Recently, I've noticed some noises in the rear of my car, everytime I accelerate. Upon further investigation, I found out that it has to do with the rear split differential. I hear like a grinding noise, everytime I press the gas, even slightly. It also seems to be leaking. The car is a GMC Jimmy 1998. I am wondering, what could be going on. I am going to take it to the mechanic, but first, I would like to know what's happening with it. :nervous:

Thanks for your help.
 
Slicks
Is it 2wd or 4wd?

And you posted this in 2 (or more) different sections of GTP.... why??
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Because when people are panicked, they do stupid things.

It is 4wd.

Also the key got stuck i the ignition system when I was about to get out of the car. The car was parked.

Is it something very bad?
 
Some vehicles won't let you take the key out if it isn't in park. On my car, sometimes it's just a matter of jiggling the shifter until the car recognises it's in park. Try it.
 
Slicks
Some vehicles won't let you take the key out if it isn't in park. On my car, sometimes it's just a matter of jiggling the shifter until the car recognises it's in park. Try it.
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Ok, but what about the main problem. I've always heard about transmission, braking and oil problems, but never about having a problem in the rear differential. Are they going to totally change it or adjust some minor things? Also what could've caused it
 
It depends on the damage done, but they would have to take it apart, and possibly replace the gears in the rear diff.
Causes.... If you tow heavy stuff often (like, around or above the towing capacity) then that could easily do it. I'm unsure about your vehicle's mileage, but it is possible that it is simply worn out. This could be aggravated if you've never changed the fluid in the rear end.

Wait 'till M5Power gets here, as he always has good advice.
 
Slicks
It depends on the damage done, but they would have to take it apart, and possibly replace the gears in the rear diff.
Causes.... If you tow heavy stuff often (like, around or above the towing capacity) then that could easily do it. I'm unsure about your vehicle's mileage, but it is possible that it is simply worn out. This could be aggravated if you've never changed the fluid in the rear end.

Wait 'till M5Power gets here, as he always has good advice.
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Well...I did move some heavy stuff the other day. Maybe that was it.
I am also aware of making the tune-up's every 5000 miles on it. Do they change the fluid on there, everytime?
 
M5Power's advice on car maintenance is pretty much limited to "don't punch your mechanic in the face."

If it's leaking, probably the seal where the input shaft goes into it has failed. If it's low on fluid from the leak (it's gear oil, not motor oil), it could be damaged from running too dry. They will pull the pumpkin (the half-round rear cover over the differential) off and investigate it. They'll be able to tell from inspecting the gears if it is torn up or not.

Luckily the late-'90s S-10/Jimmy is about the 3rd most common car on American roads, so getting a decent rear axle from a junk yard - excuse me, I mean parts recycler - should be cake. It's also not terribly difficult to replace for a garage with a frame lift.
 
Like duke said the will check it, if the gears are damaged they should replace it with a good one from a yard and probably put new seals in it while there at it. Its not a big problem, Ive replaced many before.
 
The S-Series trucks are terriable with powertrain. I've had problems with the rear diff on my Blazer. I would suggest going on www.s10forum.com and you should be able to get someone who is very skilled in S-trucks tell you how to fix it.

As for the key, you have to jiggle the steering wheel back and forth. Be a little forceful with it. It's a very commmon problem.
 
Ok thanks a lot guys.

Seems it is a very common problem and easy to solve. I was seeing it from a different angle though. Seeing it as the slip differential covers mostly all of the car, I thought it was going to be a procedure of almost dismantling the car, but it is only that small gear part.

I am not going to like that bill though. :indiff:

Thanks for your help. I'll take it to the mechanic and see if he is lying or not (based on your honest input).
 
BlazinXtreme
The S-Series trucks are terriable with powertrain. I've had problems with the rear diff on my Blazer. I would suggest going on www.s10forum.com and you should be able to get someone who is very skilled in S-trucks tell you how to fix it.

As for the key, you have to jiggle the steering wheel back and forth. Be a little forceful with it. It's a very commmon problem.
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Both the S-Series and the Astro have weakish rear ends. The rear end in our Astro blew a couple years ago, partly from towing heavy stuff (slightly over the GVW) and partly from an idiot mechanic that didn't put it together properly (didn't torque something down properly during a service).
 
It's because the Astro and the S-Trucks shared my parts as far as I know.
 
I think almost all Astro's/S-10s that are 2wd have posi.
Any way, the S10 and Astro have a similar frame, and share most of the running gear as far as I know.
 

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