C5 rear differential
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
C5 rear differential
Okay first off.
I was going to change out my rear end gear oil yesterday and noticed I didn't have the correct size hex head key. Can anyone tell me what size I'll need to buy ?
Secondly.
I have a nasty sound coming from the rear... binding, groaning sound when I make tight or even slight turns. It also make a strange "clunk" sound when I take off and sometimes between gears. I noticed my drivers side tire is worn in middle and the other rear tire is fine....
Any ideas fellow Vetter's ?
I was going to change out my rear end gear oil yesterday and noticed I didn't have the correct size hex head key. Can anyone tell me what size I'll need to buy ?
Secondly.
I have a nasty sound coming from the rear... binding, groaning sound when I make tight or even slight turns. It also make a strange "clunk" sound when I take off and sometimes between gears. I noticed my drivers side tire is worn in middle and the other rear tire is fine....
Any ideas fellow Vetter's ?
Last edited by Sinister-one; Nov 3, 2008 at 09:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
I know I need to change out the diff's gear oil and add some limited slip additive and that should clear up the noise when turning... I still can't figure out the thumping noise.....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
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From: Dyer, IN
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,143
From: Dyer, IN
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Steve Austin eye !!
Good one bud ! Sorry no BIONIC eye here. Just my prospective from laying on the concrete floor.
okay, 10mm it is. I'll be going by Sears to get my BIONIC 10mm allen head socket.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,143
From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
My '01 with 32k miles is making an occasional clacking sound from the rear also. I had the tranny and diff fluid replaced with Redline but the noise is still there, occasionally. Let me know what you find out.
Thanks,
JB.
Thanks,
JB.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
make sure the redline gear oil has enough limited slip additive in it. you may have to add some extra.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
Do a search in the C5 Tech section on rear diff noise. I seem to recall several posts regarding popping or creaking from the rear axles during tight low speed turns like in a parking garage. I believe the issue was the rear hubs limited free play and binding on the axle shaft splines. The fix involved removing the rear axle nuts and moving the rear hubs in and out on the axle splines and shooting some lubricant onto the splines. I believe some used lithium grease and others synthetic motor oil or some other type of penetrating lubricant in a can. You will then need to re-tiighten axle nuts to the proper torque specs.
As for the diff, drain it and then refill with a quality synthetic 75W90 gear lub i.e. Royal Purple MaxGear or Amsoil. Add the proper GM limited silp additive for extra insurance. I changed mine in my driveway and did not put the limited slip additive in as the RP Maxgear already has it built into the gear oil. No issues with mine. Others will tell you to add the GM limited slip additive no matter. Good luck with your issue and hope this info helps.
As for the diff, drain it and then refill with a quality synthetic 75W90 gear lub i.e. Royal Purple MaxGear or Amsoil. Add the proper GM limited silp additive for extra insurance. I changed mine in my driveway and did not put the limited slip additive in as the RP Maxgear already has it built into the gear oil. No issues with mine. Others will tell you to add the GM limited slip additive no matter. Good luck with your issue and hope this info helps.
Team Owner
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Do a search in the C5 Tech section on rear diff noise. I seem to recall several posts regarding popping or creaking from the rear axles during tight low speed turns like in a parking garage. I believe the issue was the rear hubs limited free play and binding on the axle shaft splines. The fix involved removing the rear axle nuts and moving the rear hubs in and out on the axle splines and shooting some lubricant onto the splines. I believe some used lithium grease and others synthetic motor oil or some other type of penetrating lubricant in a can. You will then need to re-tiighten axle nuts to the proper torque specs..............
On the gear lube matter: Amsoil Severe Gear synthetic gear lube, like RP MaxGear, also comes with limited slip additive already in it.