AWD Rear End Noise

[awd_neptune]

My AWD vibe has just been diagnosed as having a stuck clutch. They tell me something happened to heat my clutch up to the point of freezing (welding) in the on position. Now that my clutch is shot they say my entire rear axle needs replacing.Has this happened to anyone else? Do you have any advice?

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe!There is a Viscous Coupler that automatically engages when the front wheels start to spin to activate the rear differential. So it sounds like the rear differential is constantly engaged and you are in AWD mode all the time now?I have never heard of this happening to any other AWD's.What year is your Vibe?What kind of noise is it?Have you ever had your rear differential fluid changed or serviced?

[awd_neptune]

Thank you for the welcome and for responding.Interesting that the mechanic would tell me it was the clutch. You are correct however, they explained that I am currently stuck in the AWD mode.Thing is there are only 50,000 miles on my 2004 vibe. So I have not had my differential fluid changed yet.The noise started out as a tire noise. At least that is what we thought it was until we switched the tires and it was still there. When you are driving and you place your head between the seats you can tell it is coming from the rear.You can really hear it when you let off the gas. People tell me it is a sort of a whir, but there is a bit of metallic noise in there too.

[BlueCrush]

Is it like a grinding or a scraping metal?Is it still covered by your powertrain warranty?Do you do any frequent towing?If so rear diff changes are recommended every 15,000 miles.Here is a thread link to someone that had rear diff bearing failure:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=17080

[mcgusto82]

he said his vibe has 54k miles. i'm guessing he is out of warranty.how much is it going to cost you?

[BlueCrush]

Doesn't the powertrain warranty run 5 yrs./60,000 miles?

[Digger]

I thought it was 7/70,000. I do know it is longer than the bumper to bumper.

[tnpartsguy]

Powertrain is 3 yr / 36k miles, unless you bought an extended warranty. The rear diff unit DOES have clutches, btw.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy »Powertrain is 3 yr / 36k miles, unless you bought an extended warranty. The rear diff unit DOES have clutches, btw.Hmmm... Interesting, I always thought the bumper to bumper was 3/36 and the powertrain was longer by default. That reminds me. I'm due for my rear diff servicing next month.

[Vibe_dude]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Hmmm... Interesting, I always thought the bumper to bumper was 3/36 and the powertrain was longer by default. That reminds me. I'm due for my rear diff servicing next month.its 3/60,000 kms and 5/100,000 kms power tarin here in Canada.

[Digger]

I just looked. in yr/mile3/36,000 bumper to bumper5/50,000 rust though ??8/100,000 on emissionsI did not see power train listed as a extended yr/mile but I know the dealer told me it was 7/70,000 power train. I did see though, the limited slip dif in the rear axle is an exclusion to the warranty when certain requirements are not made.

[ColonelPanic]

Yikes, I hate to hear the news. If you don't have an extended warranty, I feel for you - this is probably going to be quite a blow. Hopefully you can find someone to get you fixed up for a reasonable cost.

[awd_neptune]

I would like to thank you all for your conversation. I apologize for being away for a few days.To answer the towing question, the car has never been towed.There is a bit of good news. . . Friday I found out that GM will be assisting in the expenses. To what extent, I am not quite sure.So the garage has begun the tear down and with any luck I will have my vibe back before next year!