Non Brit car question

[max71]

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?

[Jimmy]

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.

[max71]

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?

[Steve Simmons]

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]

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?

[Steve Simmons]

That should have been the first thing he did, even before calling you!

[max71]

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.

[Jimmy]

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.

[max71]

ok, thanks. Anyone? He's a good guy.

[malcolmr18zoy]

Sounds like an output shaft sheared in the differential.
Malcolm

[Steve Simmons]

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.

[max71]

uh in the middle of chinatown trying that?
oh well

[HealeyBN7]

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

[max71]

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?

[Steve Simmons]

uh in the middle of chinatown trying that?
oh well

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.

[HealeyBN7]

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?

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.

Yes put it in second and see if it will move.

Dean

[max71]

Thanks. I'll let him know.

Any BMW forum that's as cool as they people on this forum anyone could recommend?

[Jimmy]

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.

[max71]

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]

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.

[HealeyBN7]

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.

Jimmy,

That is good news. I must have mixed them up with the machine shop. Now I can't remember their name. Repco?

Dean

[Jimmy]

[That is good news. I must have mixed them up with the machine shop. Now I can't remember their name. Repco?Dean

Repco doesn't ring a bell, Mark, but that doesn't mean much as I've never used a T.O. based machine shop.

[max71]

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.