92 legacy turbo rear differential locked up

[TheUhrinator]

So I just bought a 1992 Legacy S with a 5 speed manual. I found out that the rear right wheel doesn't move. I figured that the caliper was just stuck, no biggie. Took the caliper off today and guess what, the wheel was still not moving. uh oh. So, my question is: what do I do now? Should I replace the whole rear end with a better one or just remove the differential and try to fix it?

[tahiti350]

sounds like a seized wheel bearing to me... that or a locked emergency brake/cable

[TheUhrinator]

sounds like a seized wheel bearing to me... that or a locked emergency brake/cable

Thanks for the reply, I am fairly certain that the e-brake is not the problem because the caliper was completely off when I checked if the wheel could move, however, I don't know if the e-brake uses the calipers or something else?

[SiCkSTi04]

the ebrake does not use the caliper

[TheUhrinator]

the ebrake does not use the caliper

I knew it. That's why I said I was fairly certain. However, I still don't think that that is the problem because the wheel still moves about 1/16 of a turn in either direction. After the 1/16 of a turn, I hear a metal to metal contact and the wheel moves no further, still think that it is an e-brake or even the wheel bearing?

[Lunatech]

When you are trying to turn it are both rear wheels off the ground?

[TheUhrinator]

When you are trying to turn it are both rear wheels off the ground?

Yes, and when I try to turn the other wheel, It moves, but it feels like there is a spring holding it back.

[Lunatech]

Probably the bearing inside the right side of the differential. Maybe not, but that's my guess.

[fishbone79]

Did you take the rotor off to be sure one of the e-brake pads is not stuck? That would allow it to move a bit while still being relatively frozen... if not that, I'd rule out wheel bearing before suspecting the diff...

[Lunatech]

I think if it was engaged enough to stop things it wouldn't be able to turn even a 1/16th of a turn, probably a better place to start though and would be a lot easier than getting into the diff. It could be as simple as that.

[fishbone79]

There is at least 1/8" of play in the ebrake if only one shoe is grabbing (or stuck, as the case may be)... this would probably translate into roughly 1/16th of a turn, but would make allot of noise when you jiggled it.

[Lunatech]

True, I'd definitely look there first.

[TheUhrinator]

Alright, it was the e-brake. I took off the rotor today and the wheel freed up. I also put a battery in and the engine started on the third try. I'm pretty sure that the engine has a knocking piston. However that won't be a huge problem because I'm already planning on rebuilding the whole engine.

[SiCkSTi04]

good to hear

[tahiti350]

Always look at the easy things first... You'd ahve been really upset to swap out the diff adn still ahve a problem....

But I'm glad it was an easy fix. Car probably sat with teh E-brake engaged and that side stuck?

If you were closer the wrecking yard I P/T in has a 2.5 in a Forester that I could get you for a good price.

[TheUhrinator]

Always look at the easy things first... You'd ahve been really upset to swap out the diff adn still ahve a problem....

But I'm glad it was an easy fix. Car probably sat with teh E-brake engaged and that side stuck?

If you were closer the wrecking yard I P/T in has a 2.5 in a Forester that I could get you for a good price.

Yeah, I'm super glad that that was all that it was. Took her out for a spin today. Yeah, the HG is definitely blown, I can smell quite a bit of oil burning.

[bry]

you should have seen the expression on my face the first time i learned the '89-'94 legacy has brakes inside of brakes.... never seen anything like that before, even on big trucks!