944 gearbox problem

[allanpriormuir]

Hi , can anyone give advise on a gearbox prob on my 1991 944 s2 .
I have a noise coming from very rear of the box ..I suspect a bearing .., has anyone had this problem , do I need special tools , wher can i get diagram of box , and where do i get part ..

many thanks

allanpriormuir

 

[TTM]

Past a certain mileage "they all do that, Sir".

Transaxle bearings have a tendency to get loose pretty early compared to more conventional gearbox designs.
Differential bearings usually wear out first (the ones you can hear when you lift off the throttle) then main shaft bearings including the ball bearing with big balls that's at the back, presumably the one you can hear.

I'm having a S2 gearbox currently rebuilt and all bearings are toast.
One of the drawbacks of the transaxle architecture is the rotational cinetic energy induced by the driveshaft inside the torque tube making gearbox bearings wearing out quicker than if the gearbox was just behind the engine - well, at least that's how I understand it.
For the same reason it's easier to screw or unscrew with a long screwdriver than with a short one.

All bearings and gasket should cost you around £400
Don't even pretend to rebuild it yourself unless you are an experienced and tooled mechanic with numerous gearbox rebuilds under your belt.

 

[944turboS]

That seems a good price to me.
Your looking at around the same for a secondhand box that could have all the same problems.

 

[944psi]

Can you share which company did your rebuild?

I bought a secondhand box for £450 and have my removed unit sat around. Ideally if it could be rebuilt at some point I'd put it back on the car.

Phil