Topic: Have you had a Rear Differential Problem?

[Brad Kenny]

Recently (03/2011) I had a "scare" due to oil venting from my Rear Differential down to the driver's side drive axle.

So it hit me, why not run a poll AND have a cummulative place to discuss, and voice concerns about this potential failure in our cars. (Rear Diff database)

I thought based on our cars life cycle (most over 20,000 miles) it would be good place to capture the information for differential issues.

My thought is, if you HAVE had issue, please post. For those not wanting to check the box for NONE, fine with me and the poll. This is more to collect the issues for the rear differential and document on THIS forum what they went through to get it fixed.

If you want to copy and paste or link from another forum, please do. Some of us do not use the BB, so go for it!

Please post your pictures and stories below about what you found, what you had to do to come through it, please include mileage and any other good information you might have.

Once I get some good pictures, I will post my own story to this, hoping to save someone a trip to the dealer, or at least going with good information.

[Arabas]

just voted. i guess i have been lucky so far...

[Critterman]

This has been run to the ground on every forum.  Do you have multiple choice?

Leak - repaired
Clutch packs - diff replaced
vent leak - repaired
vent leak - extended

no problem since, but I drive my car like a grand mother.

[elff]

I hate voiting in stuff like this.  It's just asking for the problem to begin
 

[Sly Bob]

So far, so good... I hope it stays that way.

[Gentleman Jack]

This has been run to the ground on every forum.  Do you have multiple choice?

Leak - repaired
Clutch packs - diff replaced
vent leak - repaired
vent leak - extended

no problem since, but I drive my car like a grand mother.

Like Mario Andretti's Grand Mother I hope!  Especially on Friday May 27th!


Hey CT -

Now I have to go out and check my Diff, just so I can answer your poll correctly.  Where is the :" I have not idea what a diff is or where to look for it "  poll answer?

GJ

[JimVonBaden]

Mine has a seep, likely the vent. I have not had it to the dealer yet.





Jim

[POS VETT]

Well, the CTS-V and the Kappa run the same diff.  While the Kappa diff has not shown any discrepancy, the CTS-V diff has shown signs of seeping/leaking.  The Z06 diff, while not the same unit, has had leak repaired in the past.  The symptom was quite disheartening as it left oily specks on the rear bumper which, at first, made me think I had lost a head gasket.

[POS VETT]

Yikes, the underside of your car is so corroded.  Even the aluminum parts bear signs of corrosion.

[JimVonBaden]

Yikes, the underside of your car is so corroded.  Even the aluminum parts bear signs of corrosion.

Most of that is salt spray, though the exhaust is rusty, and there is a little corrosion on the exposed aluminum. I took this photo after a significant amount of snow driving. If you looked today it would look a lot cleaner. Still some rust and slight corrosion, but not bad for a daily driver.

Jim

[Gentleman Jack]

Well, the CTS-V and the Kappa run the same diff.  While the Kappa diff has not shown any discrepancy, the CTS-V diff has shown signs of seeping/leaking.  The Z06 diff, while not the same unit, has had leak repaired in the past.  The symptom was quite disheartening as it left oily specks on the rear bumper which, at first, made me think I had lost a head gasket.

I hate you.


not really.  I just don't have a garage big enough for your stable yet....  construction on the garage starts after the kitchen gets remodeled and the new front porch gets built....  until then, I can only fit 3.



  

Yikes, the underside of your car is so corroded.  Even the aluminum parts bear signs of corrosion.

I was thinking the same thing.  This must get driven in salt / salty roads a lot?  You may want to look in to a good cleaning and then some type of spray on sealer?  not sure what folks are using these days.  back when I lived in Boston, we used to spray rhino lining on everything that didn't spin.  but back then, the rhino lining cost more than my car.... did a few pick up truck beds (underneath) with the do it yourself roll on stuff.  worked great!  but it was easy on a truck.

I think what amazes me is how corroded the SS exhaust is....  

JVB-  you been driving that thing in the ocean or what?

[JimVonBaden]

I wondered if it was SS exhaust. Doesn't look like it.

Jim

[Gentleman Jack]

I wondered if it was SS exhaust. Doesn't look like it.

Jim

if it's factory, it's SS.

[JimVonBaden]

if it's factory, it's SS.

As far as I know it is. Looks like it.




I've seen some kinds of SS rust before, so it is not surprising.

Jim

[ChopTop]

I voted no because I know you're trying to collect data, but...the original owner of our newly acquired 06 said the dealer told him the recall didn’t affect the vehicle (but the GM database system indicates it has an open recall on it).  And I haven't noticed any leaks on the garage floor or had it up on a hoist to check if there is an issue.

Our 09 is still in storage and as far as I know they're haven't been any differential issues with them so I havent’ paid any attention to it.

My driven style is definitely LOLWH (little old lady with hemorrhoids).

[Chemist]

As an "early adopter" ('06 NA Solstice), I was victimof the pinion seal leaking, but oddly enough after more than 30,000 miles. That was covered by warranty/TSB.

I subsequently (about 10,000 miles later) developed the grinding and had to have the clutch packs replaced to the tune of about $450. After that, no problems whatsoever.

[1LILNDN]

No leaks yet but, haven't been driven in so long seals might dry out . Like elff said talk about something and it will happen.        not trying ot open a new   

[Critterman]

As an "early adopter" ('06 NA Solstice), I was victimof the pinion seal leaking, but oddly enough after more than 30,000 miles. That was covered by warranty/TSB.

I subsequently (about 10,000 miles later) developed the grinding and had to have the clutch packs replaced to the tune of about $450. After that, no problems whatsoever.

Most likely caused by the replacement oil not having the limited slip additive put in it.  Don't ask how I know, just look at my diff history

[SHiNY]

I hate voiting in stuff like this.  It's just asking for the problem to begin
 

I concur, bad joojoo

[POS VETT]

not really.  I just don't have a garage big enough for your stable yet....  construction on the garage starts after the kitchen gets remodeled and the new front porch gets built....  until then, I can only fit 3.

Wrong direction.  If you spent too much money on the house, you wouldn't have any left for the cars.  See, a friend of mine kept saying that I should have taken care of the barn first then acquire the stable members; until I told him that if I got a large garage (house), I wouldn't be able to afford the cars. 

[Sol Asylum]

I think you might want to add "Had pinion recall done", to your list of choices.

So far my only problems with the dif were due to the dealer doing the recall and not following the manual and F'n up the rear lower ball joints.  Oh yeah I also made them replace the fluid after they couldn't prove to me that the fluid they used had the additive for the LSD.

[Hal 9000]

I've had the diff on my 06 replaced twice, but it never "Failed".

Started whining, and they replaced it.

2nd time with the newer case that allows the bigger front connector.  No problems since and the "clunk" went away too. (well, 95% of it anyway)

[tazz]

SA Done.

My thought is, if you HAVE had issue, please post. For those not wanting to check the box for NONE, fine with me and the poll. This is more to collect the issues for the rear differential and document on THIS forum what they went through to get it fixed.

If you want to copy and paste or link from another forum, please do. Some of us do not use the BB, so go for it!

Thanks to those who have already posted!

Like Me.
I'm registered over at the other two boards but I never log into or read those boards.  I like this board and unless I do a google search on a topic and it comes up on the other 2 boards then I might read it but just prefer this one because it does not have alot of SHIT in the background.

[HAMMER DOWN]

No problem, over 57k, but the dealer the pinion recall when I went in for NYS inspection. When the recall 1st came out.

Mike

[smartin]

I've had the pinion seal replaced and the vent tube bypass. No problems since. <knocks wood three times>