Need help with transmission or differential

[dmcleod100]

I noticed what looked like a leak from the transmission on my 03 WRX. It didn't look like anything major. I added Lucas transmission stop leak and few days later my car seized up. I put the car in neutral and tried to push the car to the side of the road and the wheels would not budge. However, when I jack the car up and rotate the wheels they move. Any ideas what I might be dealing with here. I am wondering if I need to replace the transmission, or if there is something else I should be considering.   Any suggestions?

Let me add, that I don't believe the Lucas Transmission Stop Leak had anything to do with the failure of this vehicle. I have been using their products for years without issue. I am just trying to figure out what went wrong mechanically, and what avenues I should be exploring to fix this problem.

Edited April 4, 2019 by dmcleod100
I want to clarify that I am not laying blame on the product used prior to the breakdown.

[el_freddo]

If one wheel moves in the opposite direction to the one you’re turning the diff centre is fine. 

I’ve not heard of one seizing up like that before. Did you add more oil to the gearbox to top it back up to the correct level or just threw the Lucas stuff in?

With out much more information than what you’ve given, and since April fools day was earlier this week, I’m reckoning you need a new gearbox. 

Cheers 

Bennie

[dmcleod100]

Yes, I added both the gear oil and transmission stop leak.  I will raise it later on this afternoon and rotate the wheels again to check the center diff.  Will update later.  Thanks!

[1 Lucky Texan]

to be clear - your car has a 5 speed manual right?

that front diff AND the trans use the same lube - GL-5. Was this Lucas stuff for manual transmissions?

[dmcleod100]

Yes, it is a 5 speed manual transmission, and yes the Lucas stuff was for a manual transmission.

[1 Lucky Texan]

when my WRX ate 2ng gear, I was still able to limp home.

does your car stall or just rev when the clutch engages?

 

other than the possible leak (was trans oil low?) any other issues before this happened? Spare tire use or jerking when maneuvering to park, etc.?

Edited April 4, 2019 by 1 Lucky Texan

[dmcleod100]

I just raised the car and rotated the wheels.  Differentials seem to be working just fine.  Outside of the leak, there weren't other issues that I was aware of.  I topped off the the gear oil when I added the stop leak, and that was the day before the car locked up.  There was no major leak in my driveway.  I was at a stop sign when it seized.  I heard a loud clanking sound and then it became very difficult to switch gears.  I put it neutral and attempted to push the car to the side of the road.  It wouldn't budge. 

[el_freddo]

So the spider gears in the front diff are good. But that’s not going to help you. 

Have you drained the gear oil yet? You need to check to see what comes out. 

That clanging noise doesn’t sound good. And to me, it could be a front diff issue, like a locked up diff or pinion shaft bearing that’s acting like a hand brake on your drivetrain. Must be a seriously dead bearing though! And to go so suddenly is odd. 

Or you’ve chipped a gear tooth that’s jammed up the system. 

Have you tried light revs and dropping the clutch, or trying for reverse and moving the vehicle?

Honestly, I’ve never had an issue like this except once when I somehow managed to lock a rock between my rim and front caliper when in 4wd (L series), it locked all four and since I’d killed 3rd gear I thought it was a gearbox issue until I trailered it home and found the gouge mark on the inner rim. 

The other thing it could be is the gearbox is somehow stuck in two gears, like it’s in 1st and 3rd at the same time. There will have been something that’s gone wrong in the box for this to happen as there’s a pile of dedent “pills” that are moved by the selection shafts like a mechanical locking puzzle, hard for anything to go wrong unless one of the retainer plugs on the side of the gearbox is AWOL - which could also be where your leak is coming from.

If memory serves me correct - there are three 10mm headed plug bolts on the LHS of the vehicle where these dedent pills are slotted in  through, this could be part of the issue - or a red herring. It’s easy to check anyway.

I hope it’s an easy fix, but currently it’s looking like a gearbox replacement. 

Cheers 

Bennie