Diff seems locked on my DS after going under in flood

[Farmerjim55]

Greetings from Down Under.
My poor old DS went under in a recent flood (for the second time in a few years) and now it seems the diff is somehow locked as we can not push the cart forwards or backwards.

When I jacked up the rear axle and removed the brake drums and after a general clean up we can spin the wheels but they spin in different directions. I am aware that this is what the diff is supposed to do but the problem is that no matter how hard we try, we can’t get the wheelers to spin in the same direction. Or even stop one side from spinning while turning the other side...

Has anyone had this happened to them and what can I do about it?

Thanks. 😎

[buckmanmike]

im no guru, but if the wheels turn after removing brake pads then the axle is not locked up. maybe you removed the problem.

[Farmerjim55]

Originally Posted by buckmanmike

im no guru, but if the wheels turn after removing brake pads then the axle is not locked up. maybe you removed the problem.

Yes, the wheels are turning fine but in different directions. Shouldn’t we be able to hold one wheel still while rotating the other side? This is not currently possible. As soon as we twist the wheel on one side, the other side spins in the opposite direction and we can’t stop it from doing so. They seem locked together but in different directions...

[CP241]

If the wheels spin in opposite directions that’s normal for an open differential. The differential is fine.

Unfortunately I’d bet dollars to donuts the motor is locked up. Remove the motor and the cart will probably roll just fine. You’ll need a new motor.

Hopefully the input shaft is not too rusted onto the motor. They can be a real bear to get out when that happens.

[Farmerjim55]

Originally Posted by CP241

If the wheels spin in opposite directions that’s normal for an open differential. The differential is fine.

Unfortunately I’d bet dollars to donuts the motor is locked up. Remove the motor and the cart will probably roll just fine. You’ll need a new motor.

Hopefully the input shaft is not too rusted onto the motor. They can be a real bear to get out when that happens.

Thanks. I was worried about a “worst case scenario” and you may be right. I will attempt to remove the motor and see what happens...

But having said that. IF the motor is locked up, would any of the wheels spin then when you turn them by hand...?

[Mooncarter]

I agree with CP. Motor locked up.

If it was mine I would hook a truck to it and pull it on pavement to see if it will bust loose. Can't do any harm at this point.

A couple kangaroos jumping up and down on the back might help if it's really stuck hard.

Also, the brakes could have been locked up and you may have fixed that removing the drums.

[crash12888]

Originally Posted by Farmerjim55

Thanks. I was worried about a “worst case scenario” and you may be right. I will attempt to remove the motor and see what happens...

But having said that. IF the motor is locked up, would any of the wheels spin then when you turn them by hand...?

Yes, they would spin in opposite directing normally due to it having a "open" differential.
Like mentioned, you probably have a locked motor, they aren't as waterproof as some think.
Pull the motor and try turning the input shaft of the transaxle.
If you're comfortable, take the motor apart and clean everything up, maybe new brushes, polish the commutator and replace bearings and you should be good to go.

And change the Diff oil.....

[CustomCurt]

you have to be careful of the windings when removing the motor, if you bend them up then it will need a new armature you could try gently prying it away after removing the four bolts 1 is half inch the other three are 7/16"dont go in deep with the pry bar and just stay on the steel outer case, until it gets about 1 inch away from the rearend case. from there you can reach the center hub of the motor with a bent prybar and a torch to heat that splined hub of the motor, keep the torch on that part and try not to aim it at the rearend as there is a seal that could get ruined, don't forget to mark all of the four wires before removing them

[Farmerjim55]

Originally Posted by Mooncarter

I agree with CP. Motor locked up.

If it was mine I would hook a truck to it and pull it on pavement to see if it will bust loose. Can't do any harm at this point.

A couple kangaroos jumping up and down on the back might help if it's really stuck hard.

Also, the brakes could have been locked up and you may have fixed that removing the drums.

Unfortunately we don’t have much pavement here at the farm, just soft muddy ground atm...

But maybe I could get a couple of the Roos to jump on the rear of the buggy lol

[Farmerjim55]

Originally Posted by crash12888

Yes, they would spin in opposite directing normally due to it having a "open" differential.
Like mentioned, you probably have a locked motor, they aren't as waterproof as some think.
Pull the motor and try turning the input shaft of the transaxle.
If you're comfortable, take the motor apart and clean everything up, maybe new brushes, polish the commutator and replace bearings and you should be good to go.

And change the Diff oil.....

Looks like I’m not going to be able to avoid pulling the motor...🤬

Changing the diff oil is definitely on the list. Do you happen to know what oil I should use?