Lost all gears!

[Flat6speed]

I have a 2000 base with 5 speed.  Car has 2004 K miles.  The car has been working great, no issues with shifting.  Tonight I was driving home on the freeway doing about 75 MPH when all of a sudden I hear a bang/thud noise and I've lost all gears!  No 1 2 3 4 5 or reverse.  Engine sounds fine. Had the car towed 85 miles to my house. Any ideas what happened to my car? 

 

 

Thanks,

Scott

[Ahsai]

Check shifter linkage and half axles? Sounds like something is disconnected.

[Flat6speed]

I think I found the issue. The drivers side axel is disconnected! Why would this happen?

[Flat6speed]

I wanted to post an image but I don't seem to have the privileges. Do I need to become a contributing member?

S

[flyingpenguin]

Can you trace back work that was done to engine or gearbox that would have prompted gearbox removal? That's when the drive axles have to come loose (6 bolts on either side). Possibly not torqued properly and worked themselves loose over time.

[Flat6speed]

The end of the axel is damaged.  I cant see it but I can feel it.  There is a disk/bowl that holds in the grease on the end of the axel.  There is grease coming out.  How do I remove the axel? 

[Flat6speed]

I know the previous owner replaced the rear wheel bearings.  He only had the car for about three months.  He purchased it from a neighbor.  He replaced the bearings because he thought they were the source of a noise/whine while at speed.  Turned out it was crap tires the previous owner had put on.  Then he put a set Michelins Pilot Sports and the problem went away.   

 

So now I have a little dilemma.  The end of the axle where the CV is has a damaged disk/bowl from the blow out/separation while at speed. Its leaking grease. The dealer is saying this is a one piece item and I need to order the whole axle assembly at the cost of $718.00.  Is this true?  Is there a more efficient way? 

 

One more thing, where is the center jacking point for the front and rear of the car?

 

Regards

Scott

[Loren]

Check with Sunset Porsche (in Oregon) for better pricing - though this dealer is not bad since Porsche's MSRP on each rear axle is $881.65.

 

Use the jack points in the owners manual only. Close inspection of the other axle is also in order - you don't need this happening again on the other side. You are fortunate if the transmission was not damaged - as that can happen when the axle or CV joint breaks at speed.

 

You might find these DIY articles helpful...

 

http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutorials/article/117-cv-boot-replacement/

 

http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutorials/article/134-wheel-bearings-101/

 

http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutorials/article/131-rear-wheel-bearing-102/

 

If you do not have a long breaker bar (for the axle nut) and torque wrenches for both ends then leave it to a reputable Porsche repair shop (not necessarily a dealer).

[flyingpenguin]

Ebay has quite a few used ones on offer. May be a suitable alternative.. Just search for 986.332.024.07. All around $100.

[mikefocke]

For every wreck, there are axles available.

 

http://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/listsofsourceswould give you a list or wreckers specializing in Porsches.

 

You need to have the axle from your same transmission, not one from a 6 speed or Tip.

[flyingpenguin]

Part# 986.332.024.07 is what you need (at least that's what PET says). There's a few of them on Ebay for decent money.

[Jager]

Just some info if you are looking at used parts… The passenger side axle is a different length than the driver’s side axle. Make sure you purchase the driver’s side axle.

[fpb111]

You should also make sure that PO used the correct mounting bolts on all ends of the axles.  If they are not the stock bolts you may not be able to reach correct torque, even if you can get to full torque value incorrect bolts are likely to stretch and fail.

[Jager]

I make sure the bolts are clean and use Loctite (blue)

[Flat6speed]

Ok I got the new axle installed.  Used lock tight and torqued to spec.  I threw out the alignment in the process by loosening the lower control arm.  Took it to Stuttgart Southwest to get alignment dialed in.  She's back on the road!  To think all this was started by someone trying to save a buck on cheap tires.   This ended up being a costly fiasco! 

 

Scott