Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Differential question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 06:30 PM
  #1  
Tim04C5's Avatar
Tim04C5
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 107
From: Long Beach SoCal
Default Differential question

2004, 60K miles, stock 3.15, auto, driven "normally".

Symptom: At < than 5 mph, when turning the wheel I can feel a little vibration through the wheel. I can also hear a low level clacking/clicking noise. At speed I can't feel or hear anything abnormal.

Diagnosis: It's felt that the limited slip clutches are the culprit.

Resolution: R/R differential (10 hrs. labor @ $95 per), send to diff shop for specific diagnosis and to deem what parts are needed to repair it ($500 to ? for parts).

It was asked if it was "your" car what would you do? Answer: If I had the money I'd fix it, if I didn't I'd leave it. Although, if there's a failure it could do more damage (worse case - diff case not re-useable).

What advice could you offer me so I can hopefully make the right choice?

Thanks !
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 06:42 PM
  #2  
Bent98c5's Avatar
Bent98c5
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga NY
Default

Only when turning?

Have u changed the fluid yet? Or if you did recently is there the correct limited slip additive?

If its not making noise and is very slight and only at slow turning speed- just wait till it gets worse if fluid doesn't fix it is what I'd do. It'll make noise before it breaks.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 06:57 PM
  #3  
WalterSobchak's Avatar
WalterSobchak
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,882
Likes: 2,934
From: N.E. Suburb MN
Default

You have a 3.15 so just buy a 3.42 set up used for half that(or new for what they quoted you). Enjoy car now, when it blows upgrade the diff and enjoy it more.

To be clear you are feeling the vibration through your steering wheel on a rear wheel drive car and suspect the diff? That doesn't add up to me. Like others have said change the fluid and keep going its separate from you trans so if you blow it up who cares.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 07:24 PM
  #4  
Tim04C5's Avatar
Tim04C5
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 107
From: Long Beach SoCal
Default

The fluid/additive was changed @ 50K. I thought it was something in the steering system.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 07:59 PM
  #5  
thepitstop2010's Avatar
thepitstop2010
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 282
Likes: 4
From: Dayton Ohio
Default

I would think that if you are feeling it in the steering wheel that it would be in the front of the vehicle. Just my opinion!
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 08:59 PM
  #6  
Lee DeRaud's Avatar
Lee DeRaud
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Originally Posted by Tim04C5
2004, 60K miles, stock 3.15, auto, driven "normally".
...
It was asked if it was "your" car what would you do? Answer: If I had the money I'd fix it, if I didn't I'd leave it. Although, if there's a failure it could do more damage (worse case - diff case not re-useable).
Leaving aside the whole question of whether the diagnosis is correct, I would think the worst-case is that the limited-slip stops being limited-slip. On a "normally driven" car in SoCal, is this actually a problem?

(Random digression #1: Is the additive in the diff oil there to make the LS clutches work or to keep them from destroying themselves?)

(Random digression #2: Am I the only one who thinks limited-slip and ABS-based traction control are redundant for street use?)

Last edited by Lee DeRaud; Jul 27, 2013 at 09:02 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 09:18 PM
  #7  
Bent98c5's Avatar
Bent98c5
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga NY
Default

1 both. If it doesn't work it can tear itself apart
2- can't say. I personally like my ls

Tim- do u do all your own work or a does a shop?
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2013 | 10:56 PM
  #8  
corvette77's Avatar
corvette77
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Whitesboro Texas
Default

Mine had the same symptoms not too long ago. It turned out to be a front bearing going out. Had the hub replaced and all is good now.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 28, 2013 | 12:03 AM
  #9  
Tim04C5's Avatar
Tim04C5
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 107
From: Long Beach SoCal
Default

I'm having a shop do the work. Thanks for the suggestions. I know it can be difficult to do this over the internet, just trying to see what experiences others may have had..
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Differential question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:25 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE