Seat Ibiza Differential

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Tue 3 May 2005 22:46
Seat Ibiza Differential - cmm
Hi all,

My brother has a Seat Ibiza, which is making a noise when he goes around a corner. He has been told it is his front differentials. What is the front differential - is it the same as a drive shaft? Will it need fixed asap, or can he leave it for a while and save some cash to get it done later?

Many Thanks
CMM
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 May 2005 01:17
Seat Ibiza Differential - Aprilia
The differential is integral with the gearbox on this car and forms the 'transaxle' unit. It is an arrangement of gears which allows one front wheel to rotate faster than the other when the car is taking a corner.
It could be a diff bearing (which could go on for a few months without getting worse) or it could be more serious. Either way it will cost big money to fix. If it does fail in a big way then the car will be imobilised.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 4 May 2005 10:13
Seat Ibiza Differential - Another John H
Get a second professional opinion about the noise:
it might be caused by a wheel bearing (on the side which takes the weight of the car when the noise happens).

A much cheaper repair than the "transaxle".
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 5 May 2005 23:23
Seat Ibiza Differential - cmm
Hi All,

Great explanations and tips, far better than the google searches came up with!

Thankyou for your help!
cmm
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

Cold-snap snow-how: Advice on coping with the freezing weather, including videos, facts and winter driving advice.

Honest John's Guide To Winter Tyres