Engine
Transmission
U-Joint
Driveline
U-Joint
Differential (axle/rear end)
If/when a U-Joint or a differential wear out, it puts back pressure on the transmission. The U-Joints wear out after time, and can cause play/slop, which causes a sudden jerk/snap (noise/clunk too). If the differential has worn or broken gears, it may also cause your transmission to jerk/snap, which will wear out the transmission by back pressure.
U-Joints are easy and cheap to fix; $300-$500. Differentials are about $1000-1500, Transmissions $2000-4000.
Additionally, you have a Front Wheel Drive vehicle, so you don't have a differential/rear end. You have axles and CV Boots with built-in U-Joints. These are considerably less to replace; $500-$1000.
I have never heard of a differential being part of a transmission. A transaxle is a rear end with a built in transmission such as used in a 1963 Pontiac Tempest. Probably some others also. I think I would get some clarification from the mechanic who told you this. It just doesn't sound right at all.
front wheel drive is called transaxle differential and transmission together. if a problem with the differential then the shop rebuilds the whole transmission. since the transmission has to come apart. find local shop at ATRA.COM for more help
Your Rio is front-wheel-drive. Its differential and transmission are enclosed in the same casing, and the whole unit together is called the transaxle.
What the shop is telling you is true. If the differential fails completely it can damage everything else in the transaxle case (namely the transmission). A mechanic can replace only the differential if it's failing. That way you don't have to replace the entire transaxle, just the differential portion of it.
While it's not cheap to change out a differential, it is definitely cheaper than replacing the entire transaxle including the transmission and differential if the differential fails entirely. If you're planning to keep the car for a while yet, you'd be best off having the differential fixed very soon.
Your Rio actually has a transaxle - that is why the differential is part of it. Most transmission shops don't do special repairs, and the differential is definitely an unusual repair.
Your Kia Rio Cinco is a front wheel drive vehicle, so it has a transaxle. Inside the transaxle is a transmission and a differential. Anything can be repaired or replaced, depending on the parts availability, and whether something like the case/housing is injured. I'm not sure what it means, a "bad" differential. There are some gears and some bearings in the "differential" part of the transaxle.. Go to a Kia dealer, parts department, and ask if the differential parts are available separately. And while you are there, ask if they can give a free diagnosis and estimate of cost for repairs.
Do you have a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual transmission?
What are the symproms? A noise? Crunching, grinding? What?
There are a lot of unscrupulous transmission repair shops, that give bogus diagnoses and repair charges. You need to check with several, and not say that you were anywhere else, and don't share your info with them. You have to let them tell YOU what's wrong.
I have a 2004 Kia Rio. I was told that I have a bad differential and that if it goes, I will need a new transmission. Can a transmission be replaced by a transaxle? Or, are they the same?
