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Differential Trouble

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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:53 PM
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Default Differential Trouble

I've got a 2004 C5, with 11,000 miles on it. Took it in to my local Chevy dealer for an oil change yesterday and the service manager called me over to show me a leaking rear differential. Claims this is a rampant problem with Corvettes (in fact, on the next lift was another C5 undergoing repair for the same thing). Says he's seen this on Vettes with as little as 4,000 miles on them. Repair involves removing the diff cover, replacing the rubber "O" ring, and slathering on some sealant around the whole thing -- $500+!! I asked him why Chevy didn't just do this during the manufacture and get it right the first time. My question: is he telling me the truth or am I about to get ripped off? Is this a "normal" problem?
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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Yes, it is a problem that many owners have had to fix.

Chuck
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by eiswerth
.... is he telling me the truth or am I about to get ripped off? Is this a "normal" problem?
Yes. This problem is notorious with C5's. I remember a recent thread (and I apologize I can't reference it here) where someone mentioned they only paid $400 at a dealer to have the repair done.

I recently got together with some forum brothers and had my differential leak done. When I did it, I wanted the entire rear suspension removed so that all the sludge from the leak could be removed off the differential and tranny. Here's the thread on it if you're interested...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...727&highlight=
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 04:38 PM
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Hi eiswerth -

True, but you can alleviate the cost by doing it yourself if you are handy with tools and have a jack and jackstands etc.

best regards -

mqqn
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 05:44 PM
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The leaky diff is a common C5 problem. I got mine fixed from a nearby Vette specialty shop for a lot less than $500. Good luck with the repair.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by eiswerth
I've got a 2004 C5, with 11,000 miles on it. Took it in to my local Chevy dealer for an oil change yesterday and the service manager called me over to show me a leaking rear differential. Claims this is a rampant problem with Corvettes (in fact, on the next lift was another C5 undergoing repair for the same thing). Says he's seen this on Vettes with as little as 4,000 miles on them. Repair involves removing the diff cover, replacing the rubber "O" ring, and slathering on some sealant around the whole thing -- $500+!! I asked him why Chevy didn't just do this during the manufacture and get it right the first time. My question: is he telling me the truth or am I about to get ripped off? Is this a "normal" problem?
Yep, there is a SB on it.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:07 PM
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Yes, it is a common problem with the C5s. Mine leaked three times before they finally got it fixed.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:24 PM
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yep, that's no
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Old Aug 14, 2008 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Z06ster
Yes. This problem is notorious with C5's. I remember a recent thread (and I apologize I can't reference it here) where someone mentioned they only paid $400 at a dealer to have the repair done.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...727&highlight=
That was me, I'm looking at the receipt and I was charged $97 for parts (2 seals and fluid) and $309 for labor. Very reasonable if you ask me. Initially mine was still spotting on the garage floor after the repair but this was apparently from overfill or slop because the spotting has stopped.
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