Non Brit car question
- max71
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Non Brit car question
A good friend has a problem with his 1984 BMW 633 CSI
He gets no power to the rear tires. The car just sounds like it spins free when he revs it according to him. I don't know about auto transmissions, but doesn't it sound like the auto clutch?
Also anyone near downtown that could help him move it 1-2 miles?
He gets no power to the rear tires. The car just sounds like it spins free when he revs it according to him. I don't know about auto transmissions, but doesn't it sound like the auto clutch?
Also anyone near downtown that could help him move it 1-2 miles?
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Re: Non Brit car question
I'm afraid it sounds like a broken axle shaft (if the driveshaft still turns), a broken driveshaft, or a non-functioning transmission.
Checking the tranny fluid would be an easy first move, then the driveshaft, and while under the car, that the trans is actually in a gear.
Checking the tranny fluid would be an easy first move, then the driveshaft, and while under the car, that the trans is actually in a gear.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
I just got off the phone with him. He said he went under the car and saw the linkage was in tack. He said when this happened he put it in gear, pushed the gas, heard a 'pop'. Then no power to the rear wheels.
He wondered if it was a U-joint but talking to a friend he said the same thing I told this guy which is if it was a drive shaft you'd hear it banging around, no?
He wondered if it was a U-joint but talking to a friend he said the same thing I told this guy which is if it was a drive shaft you'd hear it banging around, no?
Last edited by max71 on Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Non Brit car question
It does sound like a rear axle, but I don't know how modern cars deal with loss of one axle. On an older car I know it means you're dead in the water. A broken drive shaft would definitely be obvious, since only half would be turning and probably making an unusual noise. U-Joint is probably more likely than the actual shaft. I no nothing about auto transmissions and I like it that way, so no comment there.
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
Hmmm. My comment was to jack it up and put it on stands and then watch was happens when he puts it in gear. Does that sound logical to tell if its the trans or rear end?
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Re: Non Brit car question
That should have been the first thing he did, even before calling you!
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
He's not mechanical nor does he have any of those tool. He's a very cool old friend who used to own a speakeasy and a art magazine for a bit.
Hey Jimmy. Would you be up for a mission of mercy? I have a couple jack stands and a jack but we would need to get the car from Chinatown to the Arts district. Less than a couple miles. I don't have a Jeep anymore. Think we could run down there. Pull it a couple miles then throw it up on jacks and see what's up?
He's broke so he can't pay anyone but he always threw the best parties of anyone downtown. Pretty cool and legendary. Once he's sorted he would be a great person to know. Loads of artists, writers, journalist etc show up for his speak easy type parties.
Hey Jimmy. Would you be up for a mission of mercy? I have a couple jack stands and a jack but we would need to get the car from Chinatown to the Arts district. Less than a couple miles. I don't have a Jeep anymore. Think we could run down there. Pull it a couple miles then throw it up on jacks and see what's up?
He's broke so he can't pay anyone but he always threw the best parties of anyone downtown. Pretty cool and legendary. Once he's sorted he would be a great person to know. Loads of artists, writers, journalist etc show up for his speak easy type parties.
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Re: Non Brit car question
Sorry, Gary, but I'm booked for the foreseeable future.
Off to to see the Spykers at Galpin in a bit, then it'll be a mix of visitors and bringing a Suburban home, which takes care of the weekend. Aside from being on animal duty, so I can't really go anywhere for long.
Off to to see the Spykers at Galpin in a bit, then it'll be a mix of visitors and bringing a Suburban home, which takes care of the weekend. Aside from being on animal duty, so I can't really go anywhere for long.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
ok, thanks. Anyone? He's a good guy.
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Re: Non Brit car question
Sounds like an output shaft sheared in the differential.
Malcolm
Malcolm
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Re: Non Brit car question
My truck won't tow his car. Well, let me put it another way.... I'd rather not tow his car with my truck. Maybe if I had more than 20HP and two gears, I'd feel more generous about driving over there to pull it.
You could go commando like I did once and tie an old tire to his rear bumper, then push his car with your MGB. Got a friend's roadster home that way once, about 4 miles. He used a mag light through the windscreen to make himself visible to oncoming traffic because the car had no power. It's a miracle we weren't both killed.
You could go commando like I did once and tie an old tire to his rear bumper, then push his car with your MGB. Got a friend's roadster home that way once, about 4 miles. He used a mag light through the windscreen to make himself visible to oncoming traffic because the car had no power. It's a miracle we weren't both killed.
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Re: Non Brit car question
uh in the middle of chinatown trying that?
oh well
oh well
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Re: Non Brit car question
Could be the first gear clutch pack.
This is a common failure mode with the ZF 4HP22 box (BMW, Rover, Volvo, etc).
Overreving in neutral or just the routine smog check is known to blow the clutch pack and render the car immobile. Failure at 110K miles is common. Rebuild kits fix the problem by allowing the pressure to bleed off. The failure is/was so frequent there is a warning to smog operators not to rev the engine. I know my smog guy always asked first about the health of the trans before accepting the car..
If he has not already tried, he should see if starting off in 2nd gets it moving...else a tow.
Dean
This is a common failure mode with the ZF 4HP22 box (BMW, Rover, Volvo, etc).
Overreving in neutral or just the routine smog check is known to blow the clutch pack and render the car immobile. Failure at 110K miles is common. Rebuild kits fix the problem by allowing the pressure to bleed off. The failure is/was so frequent there is a warning to smog operators not to rev the engine. I know my smog guy always asked first about the health of the trans before accepting the car..
If he has not already tried, he should see if starting off in 2nd gets it moving...else a tow.
Dean
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
Dean. This is an auto trans. I never drove the car but your saying to put the auto trans in 2nd?
I'll pass it on. Thanks for the info. Is it hard to rebuild it with that pack you mentioned? Do you know any fair mechanics for something like this?
I'll pass it on. Thanks for the info. Is it hard to rebuild it with that pack you mentioned? Do you know any fair mechanics for something like this?
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Re: Non Brit car question
In the middle of the night, sure! That's what I did. I'm guessing he doesn't have AAA right? Otherwise the tow is free.max71 wrote:uh in the middle of chinatown trying that?
oh well
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Re: Non Brit car question
If it is indeed the clutch pack it should be easy for a trans shop. These are very common units. Be thankful it is not the later model with the electronic valve body. Those parts add up fast. I had one done by CRC in Thousand Oaks but I don't know if they are still in business. Might be able to reach out to the BMW forums and secure a rebuilt unit ready to go.max71 wrote:Dean. This is an auto trans. I never drove the car but your saying to put the auto trans in 2nd?
I'll pass it on. Thanks for the info. Is it hard to rebuild it with that pack you mentioned? Do you know any fair mechanics for something like this?
Yes put it in second and see if it will move.
Dean
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Re: Non Brit car question
Thanks. I'll let him know.
Any BMW forum that's as cool as they people on this forum anyone could recommend?
Any BMW forum that's as cool as they people on this forum anyone could recommend?
- Jimmy
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Re: Non Brit car question
CRC Performance Transmissions is still very much in business.
I stopped by there last week, and while they're slower than usual, there were certainly no signs of going out of business.
My guess is that the real problem here will be money. A 2-mile tow truck trip is practically free compared to a good transmission rebuild. Or even a bad one.
I stopped by there last week, and while they're slower than usual, there were certainly no signs of going out of business.
My guess is that the real problem here will be money. A 2-mile tow truck trip is practically free compared to a good transmission rebuild. Or even a bad one.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
He was quoted by a mechanic who didn't even look at the car - $1500 for the trans and not sure how much labor. Best for him to find a place closer to DT unless these people are the best value around.
- Jimmy
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'63 LBC
Plus, a Turbo S (with a damn roof) in the household.
And three Mercedes on 20" wheels. - Location: NM
Re: Non Brit car question
While it'd be a risky approach, perhaps a junkyard trans is the only economically feasible solution.
I'd be very concerned that it was the tranny that landed the car in the junkyard in the first place.
If it were my car, I'd probably attempt to rebuild it myself, as long as it wouldn't require several costly specialty tools.
The parts themselves usually aren't overly expensive - for American cars, anyway.
I'd be very concerned that it was the tranny that landed the car in the junkyard in the first place.
If it were my car, I'd probably attempt to rebuild it myself, as long as it wouldn't require several costly specialty tools.
The parts themselves usually aren't overly expensive - for American cars, anyway.
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
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Re: Non Brit car question
Jimmy,Jimmy wrote:CRC Performance Transmissions is still very much in business.
I stopped by there last week, and while they're slower than usual, there were certainly no signs of going out of business.
My guess is that the real problem here will be money. A 2-mile tow truck trip is practically free compared to a good transmission rebuild. Or even a bad one.
That is good news. I must have mixed them up with the machine shop. Now I can't remember their name. Repco?
Dean
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Plus, a Turbo S (with a damn roof) in the household.
And three Mercedes on 20" wheels. - Location: NM
Re: Non Brit car question
Repco doesn't ring a bell, Mark, but that doesn't mean much as I've never used a T.O. based machine shop.HealeyBN7 wrote:[That is good news. I must have mixed them up with the machine shop. Now I can't remember their name. Repco?Dean
In baseball, running into someone is apparently a "collision".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
But doing the same thing in a car somehow makes it an "accident".
- max71
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Re: Non Brit car question
Just got back from checking out the car. The trans is done. Won't catch in any gears. Just free spins. I'll call CRC Performance Transmissions and see what they charge for a rebuild.