hi im new here and i tried registering for dsmtalk.com but i cant post anything so im really hoping someone here can help me i am looking at trading my current car for a 95 tsi awd the only problem is that the cars rear end is locked up the guy says he told me he believes it needs a diff. or the drive shaft pin fell out or something but i talked to a friend of a friend and he said this is a common problem with these cars and its actually in the tranny idk if i can trust either of these people so i would really appreciate any help at all thanks

 

it could be either of those things. The only way to know for sure is to put the car up on four jack stands so you can try and spin the tires.

-If the rears spin and the fronts dont then its most likely the tranny
-If the Fronts spin and the rears dont then its most likely your rear diff.
-If all four spin then its probably your t-case or something with the driveshaft.

 

more commonly the transfer case locks up and causes the rear wheels to lock when your driving.
if it does happen to be the rear diff make sure if the car is a 5 speed, that your replacement part comes out of a 5 speed car, and auto for an auto, the gear ratios are different & that makes a mess.
you might just try unbolting the driveshaft from the rear diff and see what wont move.

 

well im sopposed to be picking the car up this tuesday and the guy says that when all 4 tires are off the ground the fronts do spin so thats a good thing i think but if you guys can think of anything else i would appreciate it and thanks for the help already ill keep you all posted on the situation

 

watch the paring brake is probly stuck on, lol.
i would unbolt the driveshaft from the rear and then see what happens.
or look for signs of the transfer case leaking, or rear diff leaking and check em out. neither one holds much oil so a small leak can do them in quick.