Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem......
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem......
I recently put a different torque converter in my car. This will be my second aftermaket converter as I stepped up a bit(at least I thought I did). Anyway, I never had any sounds or vibrations coming from the rear on my first aftermarket converter, but I do now. I get this vibration going straight(WOT at higher speeds/rpms) or sometimes while turning. Either way it is the same sound/vibration. It doesn't happen all the time. The only things that changed was the converter and the diff fluid. The fluid is an aftermarket brand that already had the additive. I was skeptical about straying away from the GM stuff as I never had a problem with it before. I also get a strange smell from the rear of the car if I really get on it. It's kinda hard to explain. What do you guys think? Could it be the fluid? Is it possible that there wasn't enough limited slip additive? Opinions please....
Thanks,
Tony
Thanks,
Tony
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (tabbruzz)
Which "aftermarket" brand? Is your diff vent showing evidence of "blow-by" from your spirited driving? Could be the cause of the smell. Put some GM additive in and see if it improves. :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (carpe dm)
I don't recall which aftermarket brand it was because my mechanic picked it up for me. It claimed that it came with the gm additive. I know it wasn't redline or amsoil. I didn't see any leaks or anything. I guess I can feel around to see. What would cause the blow-by? Is it even worth it just adding the additive. I heard too much additive isn't good either.
Tony
Tony
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (tabbruzz)
I often wonder why people stray away from the Factory GM rear-diff fluid and additive... especially since no one has ever had a problem with it. Why take a risk?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 0
From: Greenville NC
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (Mike Mercury)
I often wonder why people stray away from the Factory GM rear-diff fluid and additive... especially since no one has ever had a problem with it. Why take a risk?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (ncvetteman)
I hear ya, but have never heard of these noise problems with the original factory fluid still in the carrier.
The noises I've read about usually crop up after someone has has work done where the original fluid was changed; and the mechanic either forgot that the factory fluid was synthetic... and needed the lim-slip additive as well.
The noises I've read about usually crop up after someone has has work done where the original fluid was changed; and the mechanic either forgot that the factory fluid was synthetic... and needed the lim-slip additive as well.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,899
Likes: 1,839
From: Hot Springs AR
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (tabbruzz)
The C5's differential is the easiest I've ever had to change fluids on. I'd just dump whatever your mechanic put in, and go back with a synthetic of your choice (I use Mobil 1) and a bottle of GM's additive.
Hope this helps,
Mike
Hope this helps,
Mike
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (VetteDrmr)
I replaced the fluid back to the stock recommendations. The manual states "no WOT for 300 miles". I'm trying to be good and listen to the manual so I don't know if there really is an improvement yet. I did notice that the smell is gone, which is great. I can't wait for those WOT runs...
Tony
Tony
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Rear axle/diff fluid question or problem...... (tabbruzz)
I KNow the feeling. I upgraded to a new 3.42 carrier... but then had to take it easy for awhile. It was difficult to do :)
You can, though, do some low speed figure 8's to help things settle in.
You can, though, do some low speed figure 8's to help things settle in.
