Differential Noises
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Fort Walton Beach FL
I have noticed the noise also but it doesn't bother me enough that I want to take it to the dealer twice and have them mess around with it. Usually in the morning when I back out of the parking space I go a little further so I don't have to make as sharp of a first turn and from there it's smooth sailing...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by mbonness
I have noticed the noise also but it doesn't bother me enough that I want to take it to the dealer twice and have them mess around with it. Usually in the morning when I back out of the parking space I go a little further so I don't have to make as sharp of a first turn and from there it's smooth sailing...
Probably do fluid change first and add extra friction modifier for posi.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Fort Walton Beach FL
Originally Posted by LS WON
So this chattering can be duplicated by turns or driving in circles?
Probably do fluid change first and add extra friction modifier for posi.
Probably do fluid change first and add extra friction modifier for posi.
So I just try to avoid it by making gentle turns when the car is cold. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if I ignore it what's the worst that can happen? The noise will continue to get louder? For right now I'm just in a wait-and-see mode...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth Tx.
all this talk and no one is saying what year car they have???
they changed the rear end from 05 to 06 and up
i would like to know if this is a 06 and up problem as well
btw, 150k of abuse on my 99 and no problems when i sold it
they changed the rear end from 05 to 06 and up
i would like to know if this is a 06 and up problem as well
btw, 150k of abuse on my 99 and no problems when i sold it
Last edited by 427Z; Jul 17, 2006 at 05:50 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 51
From: Englewood OH
Sadly Differential
After bad experiences 2001 and a 2003 50th Corvette I had hope what other here were saying about differential problems would escape me. But alas, had to take mine to th dealer. Leaving the parking space at work, a GOD awefull crunching sound as if the rear ground up and fell on the pavement. My 01 was a piece of junk, the 03 better but I suspect being the anniverssary year a little effort was made to reduce problems. Kindda wish I had kept it. Now for 2006 with some much needed improvements, the drivetrain still seems a weak link. Come on GM, we are tired of this crap!!!!! I followed breakin per owners book and don't race my car. With only 6013 miles, totally discussed. Another SAD chapter for Corvtte.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
I have 3200 miles on my 06 and I just left the dealership after my second differential fluid change in 4 days. The first visit was because it was annoying, but not awful. The fluid was changed per TSB. For 2 days it was fixed! Then the grinding came back with a vengeance... much worse than the original problem. I took it back today for the second fluid change, and it is still awful. The service folks want me to drive it "for a while" to let the latest fluid work its way in... I did my slow figure eights afterward both times. The grinding starts around a quarter-turn of the steering wheel, and I can even feel it in the gearshift. Tight turns (like parking) are now a nightmare. My first three months of Corvettehood have been fantastic up to this point, but I'm pretty bummed right now... 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
Originally Posted by Jimbeaux
Today I started getting a thump thump (2 thumps) sound from the rear end when from a dead stop, making a left hand turn.
I have also experienced more of a growl rather than a grinding sound when pulling in and out of parking spaces and making turns in parking garages etc. especially when the car is cold.
Are these the typical differential symptoms that lead the dealer to change the rear end fluid and add the additive?
I have also experienced more of a growl rather than a grinding sound when pulling in and out of parking spaces and making turns in parking garages etc. especially when the car is cold.
Are these the typical differential symptoms that lead the dealer to change the rear end fluid and add the additive?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 13
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by ShawnDFW
all this talk and no one is saying what year car they have???
they changed the rear end from 05 to 06 and up
i would like to know if this is a 06 and up problem as well
btw, 150k of abuse on my 99 and no problems when i sold it
they changed the rear end from 05 to 06 and up
i would like to know if this is a 06 and up problem as well
btw, 150k of abuse on my 99 and no problems when i sold it
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by danwack1
I have 3200 miles on my 06 and I just left the dealership after my second differential fluid change in 4 days. The first visit was because it was annoying, but not awful. The fluid was changed per TSB. For 2 days it was fixed! Then the grinding came back with a vengeance... much worse than the original problem. I took it back today for the second fluid change, and it is still awful. The service folks want me to drive it "for a while" to let the latest fluid work its way in... I did my slow figure eights afterward both times. The grinding starts around a quarter-turn of the steering wheel, and I can even feel it in the gearshift. Tight turns (like parking) are now a nightmare. My first three months of Corvettehood have been fantastic up to this point, but I'm pretty bummed right now...
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
The first treatment was what the TSB said to do... the latest fluid is "regular" lube that they use on other models in the past like the Z-28, plus some additives. The technician, highly recommended to me by other CF members, says this has worked better in the past. He indicates that replacing the clutch parts will be less than optimal because the new parts won't "grab" as well as the existing ones. sigh.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Katy The Republic of Texas
TSB fix #1 and GMPP
Originally Posted by Jimbeaux
Today I started getting a thump thump (2 thumps) sound from the rear end when from a dead stop, making a left hand turn.
I have also experienced more of a growl rather than a grinding sound when pulling in and out of parking spaces and making turns in parking garages etc. especially when the car is cold.
Are these the typical differential symptoms that lead the dealer to change the rear end fluid and add the additive?
I have also experienced more of a growl rather than a grinding sound when pulling in and out of parking spaces and making turns in parking garages etc. especially when the car is cold.
Are these the typical differential symptoms that lead the dealer to change the rear end fluid and add the additive?
I found the following post, which I have printed out and will take to dealer: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...37&postcount=5
Has anyone had a fix that STAYED fixed?? Also, does this happen to any of you manual tranny owners??
ADDENDUM: I took it in this morning (7/28/06) at 700AM and was back on the road at 830AM. I handed the TSB printout to the service mgr when I stepped out of the car, he was familiar with it, and said they'd get right on it. I won't know until tomorrow AM when it's cold if it has been remedied, or how long it will last, but he said if the TSB first-fix doesn't take care of it, they would replace the clutch packs, no problem. So far, I'm pleased with my local service guys where I bought the car (from a former student of mine). But this is the only problem I've had since picking it up Jan 6 and putting 11,500 miles on it. GMPP Major Guard will be my next "mod", LOL!
2nd ADDENDUM 7/28/06: Still makes noise, but less. One of these posts implied a 1000-mile 'break-in' or test period for the first-level fix (drain, flush, re-fill, additive) and then replace clutch packs would be #2 fix. Anyone done that yet??
ALSO (8/2/06): Just got a 72/72/0 GMPP Major Guard from my dealer (Westside Chev., Katy, TX [Hello, Bob J! How's the new red C6?]) for $2070. $200 over dealer cost ($1860 or $1870, depending who you talk to), no tax or other fees, guy to talk to is Chris McKinney, he is interested in selling more GMPPs. Compares right in there with Fichtner and Black, but may be investment in goodwill at my dealer. Car was at 11,555 miles and 7.5 months.
Last edited by Crush2; Aug 3, 2006 at 09:40 AM. Reason: update
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by danwack1
The first treatment was what the TSB said to do... the latest fluid is "regular" lube that they use on other models in the past like the Z-28, plus some additives. The technician, highly recommended to me by other CF members, says this has worked better in the past. He indicates that replacing the clutch parts will be less than optimal because the new parts won't "grab" as well as the existing ones. sigh.
Same here I have 3:15 rear and A-4 trans no problems with rear end diff.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Mine made the noise today for the first time every. leaving the garage driveway no noise first left turn 200 ft away noise was there ,almost like tire rubing exaust or wheel well next right turn 100 ft no noise .made a circle at entrance slight noise then stoped .couldnt duplicate it again 13,660 miles first time going to dealer now.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by dennis50nj
Mine made the noise today for the first time every. leaving the garage driveway no noise first left turn 200 ft away noise was there ,almost like tire rubing exaust or wheel well next right turn 100 ft no noise .made a circle at entrance slight noise then stoped .couldnt duplicate it again 13,660 miles first time going to dealer now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Originally Posted by danwack1
The first treatment was what the TSB said to do... the latest fluid is "regular" lube that they use on other models in the past like the Z-28, plus some additives. The technician, highly recommended to me by other CF members, says this has worked better in the past. He indicates that replacing the clutch parts will be less than optimal because the new parts won't "grab" as well as the existing ones. sigh.
! He said that because he doesn't want to change the clutch packs. There is simply no reason the new parts with proper break in won't just was well as the old ones...... Ask people that's had it done and the only thing you'll lose is all the grinding noise.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 13
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by LS WON
Did you do the drain and change on your rear end after break in? If so which oil did you use? Or are you using the factory GM synthetic 75w/90?
Does anyone know if any damage being done when we hear this growling noise?
As far as that "thump" I hear when making left hand turns from a stop, does anything that maybe it just a loose sway bar or other component or could it be differental related as well? It feels to me like the clutches may not be hooking up or releasing smoothly. Thoughts?