Please help me indentify what's grinding

Hi everyone. I have a 94 grand caravan. Something in the driveline
bit the dust today. It's been making noise occasionally for a few
weeks. It's a grinding noise, like gears are missing teeth or
something. It would make noise and stutter, then sort of work for a
while. Today, it completely broke. At first, it was only reverse
that was out. In reverse, you can gas it and nothing. Sometimes, it
seems like a tooth would bite, the car would move and make a grinding
noise, then stop again. Drive worked for a few minutes at that point,
now it doesn't work at all, same symptoms as reverse. I dropped it to
3, same thing.

I have a work receipt from the previous owner that says the trans was
replaced 13,000 miles ago. The van has 153k on it. It was only $900
though which seems low.

So I'm suspecting the transmission, differential (not sure if this is
separate form the transaxle), or half-shafts. Does this sound like a
specific part from the info I have? Also, if it's the trans, what
should I expect to pay for one? (just the part, I'll replace it).

brian

 

You might have a broken axle but it does sound like the differential is what
is amiss. Do you have a teenage driver or does the previous owner? If so
there may have been some severe wheel spinning going on. This would
definitely cause it to come unglued.
If so I'd recommend getting a reman installed. Best I've seen so far is
Jasper. Just put one in my 99 T&C (as the original had a failure at 148000
miles). The Jasper is expensive but they have a very good warranty ( 3yr
75k) and there is a list of mods they do not the least of which is they
strengthen the differential and they use a stronger planetary set (which is
what I believe was going on mine although I did no post mortem). You can
check them out at www.jasperengines.com and find lots of info.
Good Luck
Larry