I was doing about 70 on the 405 (SoCal) and my 04 Disco started vibrating really bad for about 30 seconds then I lost all power to the wheels. The engine was still running but all the automatic transmission fluid had poured all over the freeway.

Has anyone had a similar experience or have an idea as to what could have broken?

 

Your front driveshaft broke and knocked a hole in the transmission and maybe other damage too.

 

Pictures are worth a thousand words but it sounds like the driveshaft... but who knows? Maybe a line fell off. I've had stranger things happen .

 

Without seeing any pictures I'm going to guess:

- Front drive shaft
- Transmission

Might I suggest an aftermarket replacement on the driveshaft, with 3 greaseable joints? Sorry you learned this lesson the hard way.

 

Could also be a broken oil cooler pipe that runs from the box to the rad. That would also explain the lose of fluid.
As the other guys say pictures would tell the story.

Cheers, Jerry.

 

When you're mechanic tells you that you need a new transmission, give me a call. I have a few good used ones in stock for your '04. They'll save you a ton of money over a new or rebuilt one. I can even provide a rebuilt driveshaft as well because it sounds like you'll be needing one of those as well.

 

Thanks for the info, yes the front drive shaft is missing and it broke a 3" x 2" hold on the side of the transmission just above the pan. I assume this cannot be repaired and I need to replace it.

I do have to say this seems like really stupid engineering as a $50 U-joint takes out a transmission. What were they thinking.

If anyone has any ideas on what actually needs to be replaced pls let me know.

I had just put it up for sale so I am only looking to get it repaired so I can sell it.

 

You'll need the transmission and driveshaft from Paul, a few gallons of dexron, and probably 8 hours of labor (though some shops will charge more).

Wouldn't hurt to put a new filter and some seals in the used tranny and maybe in your transfer case, and maybe a rear main seal, but you can get away without if you just want it back on the road to sell it.