OfficerZ28

I just had my Tranny and differential serviced....there was a lot of shavings on the magnet and a lil rear end noise...when the guy was putting the universal seal on, he noticed there was play in the differential...he said it could be the gears or the clutches....I have a 2001 A4 LS1 with stock 2.73's....I thought my rear end had some sort of spider gears instead of the clutches....Can sombody explain to me what type of rear end I have...Do i have a torsen? and is there clutches in there? And what would make the play in there....he also said it could be a "bearing"...they said it would cost approx. $800 to take the whole rear end apart, axles, gears and all to find out the problem....by the way, I have 91,000 miles on my car....all fwy miles though....i rarely push my car, and always babying it....Whats wrong with my rear end? Do i need new gears? and if so, what type of gears would benefit me..or should i just stay with 2.73 ??

ford hater

Check this link out. http://www.torsen.com/ I believe it will tell you if your rear(thought all 2001-2002's), came with Zexel Torsion's. My 2002 did, just changed to Moser though. Did not have gear whine, but always had clunking noise shifting since new(they all do). If it is a Zexel, it has no clutches. Does not use GM additive. If if isn't, I wouldn't spend another dime on it. I see them selling on this site for around 300-400 bucks with approx. 25,000 miles. I have one with 7,200 miles with TA cover and stud girdle for $450 plus shipping.
Good luck,
Paul

Dr. Evil

I believe '99 and newer are torsens, auburns were available, but went to special order.

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

What exactly did he mean by play?
The ring & pinion have to have a certain amount of backlash, this is normal.
You can check for backlash with cover off w/ a dial indicator.
Little more detailed description is necassary to figure out whats goin on.

OfficerZ28

when the universal was turned, it had play in it before the gears inside would start moving....the drive shaft was disconnected of course, and the differential plate removed, cuz we were changing the gear oil....and when im going slow, like before a speed bump, the tranny kicks hard, is that the tranny or rear end? its like its switching gears, however the car is moving to slow for it to do so and it makes a loud clunk noise when it kicks

01Z0H6

iTrader: (63)

Mine does the same thing Exactactly!
It is definately the gears. I too have the 273's (for now ) My 2000 currently has 122K. Like you, i really don't abuse my car by no means, i don't baby it either. i will be going to 323's after the first of the year.
I have the 323's & a Zex diff out of an 02 SS with only 500 miles. Can't wait to have these put in.
What's up Jerry TA? Been racing any "slowbra's" lately?

Starion

iTrader: (5)

Edit......Whoops old thread