drove with a flat tire without knowing it...

[MC2]

Long story short, i was having serious binding issues and flashing AT OIL TEMP light at startup for about 1-2 weeks... when i finally discovered i had developed a slow leak in the rear drivers side tire and it was flat.

I'm almost certain that it is the cause of the transmission issues.

I probably drove a couple hundred miles like that, and then several hundred more with the car in FWD mode because i needed the vehicle and couldn't afford to bring it into the shop.

I still get the binding now, even though i've had the tire repaired, and occasional AT OIL TEMP light, but only when i've felt the binding in the previous drive... What permanent damage have i done?

[1-3-2-4]

the flashing AT oil light was most likely a code and I bet it had to deal with the Duty solenoid C.. Having said that driving as you said "several hundred" more miles in FWD is a sure way to kill the transmission as it's not for long term use and no you do not save gas because the rear is still connected.

I don't know about you but it's easy to tell when I have a flat the car just feels lifeless turning and makes sounds like rubber bits flying off once you pretty much overheat the tire.

[MC2]

Well, the fact of the matter is I didn't know it was flat, and I did drive with FWD for probably 200-300 more miles but not for the purposes of saving gas...

So, that didn't really answer my question though.

[1-3-2-4]

Like I said in my first post binding when turning is most likely a failed Duty solenoid C

[Huffer]

Do this. Insert fwd fuse now that you have the tire fixed. Does the binding go away? If so, then the duty c solenoid is fine. Remove FWD fuse. In this case drain your ATF fluid and refill with fresh fluid plus a bottle of lubegard ATF protectant. See if that cures the problem.

[MC2]

Binding is completely gone when i insert AWD fuse.

I should also mention, when it is in AWD mode and i detect the binding (it does not happen everytime i drive), and i shift out of drive i definitely feel a "CLUNK" in the transmission.

I'll change out the fluid and see if that makes it any better