I just took my car to the shop for a grinding noise (which I thought was poor brake placement which was fixed but still heard the grind noise)

Turns out the mechnic's apprentice looks and says its my differential? We checked the oil and it's full, so that's why he says its time for a new differential...
Now I dont know why but I think it's my tranny... i think I blew it...
now when I put it in Reverse it wont catch unless i rev it high, which I know which will eventually totally go out too (because I used to have a Duster that did this exact same thing with the reverse!)

so basically I have to go in reverse with the brake pushed in and revved very high until the gear catches and engages...

My question:
* Do you think it's the differential as my mechanic's apprentice said?
* Or do you think it's a blown Tranny like I am thinking?

Thanks in advance for your advice, help or knowledge!

 

This makes me think your torque convertor is dying. The grinding is possibly the torque convertor. You will have to stick it on the hoist and listen. When rear ends grind (instead of just howl) you usually dont get very far.
Good Luck.
CoryM

 

I hope not, the torque Convertor is brand new! Im gonna hurt someone if that's what it is! ugh

sorry Im just confused, I hate when big things go wrong... im considering selling it, I get so frustrated sometimes... im wanting a newer SS, but money permitting, cant do it at the moment...

 

Also if this helps I forgot to mention:

The grindy sound only happens during 1st gear, once it slips into second it stops making that noise ...
does this sound familiar?
as well as the thing with reverse not wanting to kick in until I rev it up higher?

 

Ok, well that pretty much rules out the rear end. The rear end would change its noise to do with speed, not gear or engine rpm. First thing to do is make sure you fluid level in the tranny is good (makes sure you arent hearing cavitation). Check the colour, if its brown/black your clutch packs are sick. I still hold my money on a bad torque convertor though. Get it in the air and listen to where the awful noises are coming from. I bet its the impellar in the torque convertor. Sorry to hear your luck. Ive been there man.... several times. Also I highly vote you keep the 2nd gen . Those 4th gens got no style and sound like crap (and have really weak rear ends) .
Good Luck.
CoryM

 

thanks!! That helps a lot.. actually I'd rather it be the torque converter, less $$ for me to spend! I'll go look at the obvious stuff, who knows, maybe I have a bad tranny leak that i dont know about and I have no fluid (doubtful but I can always dream )
see it's rough being a girl, going to a shop and being at the mercy of hungry mechanics, I can fix the stuff on my own, but i'm not do good at diagnosing the problems.. the guy I usually go to is great and doesnt rip me off, but his APPRENTICE is a no good cheat and if my guy isnt around, he seems to play the ol "let's get her for all she got's" game

 

I suggest you join a local car club (preferably a camaro club ). Then you will come across some people good enough to help out with the diagnosing/repair work. Just keep in mind you gotta return the favour . I would get the car up on jackstands and have someone try to make the noise while you listen underneath (be careful please) . And ya, torque convertors are cheap and nows a time to upgrade . I have had a few faulty torque convertors right out of the box.... just one more reason why I hate automatics.
Let me know what it ends up being or if you need more input.
CoryM

 

Thank you soo much!
Yeah I have a car club that I hang out with every weekend, they are all Mustang folks tho, they help me as much as possible but they all sport new Mustangs and I dont think they really know well enough about the old Camaros (they are always telling me to come to the darkside and sell the Maro LOL) anyway, I will be looking for a Camaro club because I do agree that I would fare better... I dont mind helping at all, in fact I have fun helping out on big jobs (just got done pulling apart a blown up LT1 just for kicks, and parts)
I have a couple friends that said they will help me assess the problem this week, hopefully tomorrow, and whatever the problem may be, I think I found a couple epopel willing to help me install a new whatever I need... i actually been REALLY wanting these rebuilt TH400s I see on Ebay, not sure how great they are, but by the feedback looks great... rebuilt, all new parts, stage 3 shift kit and a warranty... some even come with the torque convertor, only downside is it has to be shipped... but I have been having my eyes on these TH400s ...
I would love to do a manual conversion, but you know, I dont have the money, workspace or the time... gonna have to stick wih Auto for now that's why I want a shift kit Mucho Mas

 

im thinking of buying one of those rebuilt TH400's with shift kit from Ebay, anyone ever buy these? what's you experience?

also if anyone else has ideas on what this problem could be please let me know.. thanks

 

OKay ran the car through 1st and 2nd today witha friend under the car listening... sounds like it IS the Torque Convertor, so I bought a new one in hopes that it will fix my prob completely, I also had to just spoil myself with a little Hurst Hot shift kit (its hard not to at a good price!) if that doesnt fix the prob, then i will do a tranny overhaul/rebuild which I might just do anyway since i am going to put in a shift kit while Im down there

anyway I'll hopefully get my TC and shift kit on Friday and will be installing it then, wish me luck that it IS JUST my TC and not more, but I'll let you guys know what it is and if the TC install fixes my problema!

 

I'm in a little late here, but it does sound like you're heading in the right direction. Good luck, and I hope you get it fixed properly.

What's up with this apprentice that told you differential? He works for your regular guy? Wow, I know who I would be having a conversation with very soon.