1984 944 Noisy Drive Tube

[somebizarredude]

i recently bought a 1984 944 automatic that needs some work and i need a little advice on the drive train.

when i would start the car there was rattling in the back and with it in drive it would barely move and i would get a squeal from the rear end so i assumed it was the ring and pinion or torque converter. the engine ran like crap also. there was a delay on the throttle and if you let your foot off quick it would sound like it was about to die. i took the transmission out and wiggled the plate that hooks to the transmission and it feels firm and i can turn the engine by twisting it so i don't think the shaft is damaged. so i started it and it runs great! the throttle response is good and everything but there is still a rattle in the back. is this normal with the transmission out? or are the drive tube bearings bad? and is the engine just running better because there is no resistance? i am going to open the transmission and look at the ring and pinion tomorrow because there were no metal shavings in the fluid or pan so i am pretty sure it is the torque converter but i dunno i don't have that many years of experience maybe someone will have a few tips. i also cant find a place that sells parts for the drive tube or a replacement. should i check annything else? also was it a bad idea to run it without the transmission? lol

[somebizarredude]

also on this car where does the speedometer connect at? the repair manual says to unhook it and i cannot find it. not even when takeing the transmission down :/

[wvicary]

There are support brngs in the torque tube but they don't fail often. On the flywheel is a rubber dampener which can fail and cause the noise you describe. The speedometer is driven from the left front wheel brng protective cap.

[somebizarredude]

i didn't think about that i will check the flywheel damper. this drive tube is original and it has about 240k miles on it lol i think its the only original drive part left.