pretty sure my sister toasted the gears in the rear axle? the rear end grinds and the car wont really move. any ideas how hard it is to fix? any idea on parts besides dealership? this is on an 03 x type. 5 speed manual transmission

 

I would be placing my money on a transfer case than on the rear differential. That is much more likely to fail and give you the indications that you are seeing/hearing than the rear differential. Unless she bottomed out the car and hit the rear differential, the transfer case will give long before the rear differential.

 

It ended up being the rear right CV axle !! who knew!!

 

I believe I need to replace the seal in the rear differential - any info that I need to know - or any thing I need to be aware of -

I notice that there was a slight leakage coming from the aluminum pan towards the back middle - I was afraid that it might be transmission fluid but a freind of mine said it looks like its the rear differential due to the unit was coverd with dried up fluid - is there any way to find out or test what might be the leak - also if its the rear differential what type of oil it needs -