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Rear diff started clunking

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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 01:17 PM
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Default Rear diff started clunking

OK, I've read about it here, and now, after about 7,000 miles, I've started hearing a clunking sound in my 08's differential, especially in the morning, backing out of the garage.
I know there's a TSB on this, but my question is this -- how quickly do I need to get to the dealership? Is there a danger of permanent damage, or is this mostly an annoyance.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 01:58 PM
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The rearend needs an additional bottle of additive. The TSB calls for new gear lube and now two bottles of 4 oz additive. I did a quick fix as this is the 2nd time my rearend started clunking. I added 1 4oz bottle of Amsoil additive and did some slow figure 8's and the clunking has stopped.

Anytime there is gears making noise such as the clunking and grinding the longer you wait the more the gears are damaged.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:00 PM
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I think the latest TSB calls for a newer fluid and no additional bottles of additive.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by HawaiiC6
The rearend needs an additional bottle of additive. The TSB calls for new gear lube and now two bottles of 4 oz additive. I did a quick fix as this is the 2nd time my rearend started clunking. I added 1 4oz bottle of Amsoil additive and did some slow figure 8's and the clunking has stopped.

Anytime there is gears making noise such as the clunking and grinding the longer you wait the more the gears are damaged.
That is NOT correct. The new TSB (1/08) calls for Dexron LS75W-90 gear lube with NO additive. It's a different lube than the original one that DID call for the additive. GM states that the additive can cause damage to the seals.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:05 PM
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Time to take it in to the dealer and have them take care of it.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:08 PM
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Just had my 2006, 2nd time in for this, flushed and filled with the new gear oil. TSB 07-04-20-002A
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by JJC5
That is NOT correct. The new TSB (1/08) calls for Dexron LS75W-90 gear lube with NO additive. It's a different lube than the original one that DID call for the additive. GM states that the additive can cause damage to the seals.




There is an updated TSB on this condition that utilizes the new DEXRON® LS gear oil, P/N 88862624.


Check it out:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568036286-post3.html

Last edited by *FAÇADE*; Dec 4, 2008 at 09:27 AM.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by danl72
Time to take it in to the dealer and have them take care of it.

Why try to fix it yourself and end up causing additional damage that no one will want to cover under warranty because YOU screwed it up?!?
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 02:56 PM
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It's best to have the dealer do it if it's still under warranty because if it continues after the 3rd attempt, they'll change the clutch packs.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 03:40 PM
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Default Latest Rear Axle Noise TSB

Because this TSB 07-04-20-002A, dated 1/9/08, predates my build date by more than 4 months, is it reasonable to assume that I have the new Dexron LS fill?
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 05:57 PM
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Is the new lube used in 2009 models?
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 06:26 PM
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Default Just had mine done today...

and it's made a huge improvement. Not only did it get rid of the clunks when backing out of the driveway, but also turning noises that I had not associated with the differential have gone away (and I hope they stay away).
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by JJC5
That is NOT correct. The new TSB (1/08) calls for Dexron LS75W-90 gear lube with NO additive. It's a different lube than the original one that DID call for the additive. GM states that the additive can cause damage to the seals.
Does this mean that those of us with the previous TSB that used 2 bottles of additive will experience seal failures down the road if we don't change it out for the new LS-90 lube.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:15 PM
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About a year ago, my Corvette tech changed the fluid and the clunking went away. That was the good news. The bad news is that it is clunking worse than ever now, back to the shop, they will make it right. Don't tell me that the GMPP is not necessary on these cars. Last time in they saw that I had the GMPP and the tech's response was good on ya. Who knows better than this guy??--Ed
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:37 PM
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We need some sort of "sticky" or whatever... I want to know if and when anyone who has correctly swapped in the new Dextron LS experiences chatter again.

The Dextron LS is still pretty new... have not yet heard of any reports of chatter after using the Dextron LS. Perhaps the Dextron LS is THE end-all fix. So far it seems very promising. I just ordered some and will be swapping into my differential soon.

For those who want to be safe, you probably can't go wrong just swapping in the Dextron LS right now. I just ordered 3 one-quart bottles from Gene Culley (differential takes about 2 quarts)... was about $46 plus shipping... will swap it myself... easy. It's cheap insurance and keeps your car out of the dealership where often you will get it back in worse shape than when you brought it in.

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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by tlcj
I think the latest TSB calls for a newer fluid and no additional bottles of additive.
I had it done to mine and it solved the problem.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Vet
We need some sort of "sticky" or whatever... I want to know if and when anyone who has correctly swapped in the new Dextron LS experiences chatter again.

The Dextron LS is still pretty new... have not yet heard of any reports of chatter after using the Dextron LS. Perhaps the Dextron LS is THE end-all fix. So far it seems very promising. I just ordered some and will be swapping into my differential soon.

For those who want to be safe, you probably can't go wrong just swapping in the Dextron LS right now. I just ordered 3 one-quart bottles from Gene Culley (differential takes about 2 quarts)... was about $46 plus shipping... will swap it myself... easy. It's cheap insurance and keeps your car out of the dealership where often you will get it back in worse shape than when you brought it in.

Anytime I can keep my Vette out of the dealership it's a definite plus.
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To Rear diff started clunking

Old Jul 22, 2008 | 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by STEVE MC
Anytime I can keep my Vette out of the dealership it's a definite plus.
I had mine done at a dealer I actually trust.

So far about 6,000 miles and no noise. I did a bunch of slow figure eights...both forward and backward. I'm sure my neighbors thought I was going nuts (or just continuing to be nuts)!
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by tlcj
I think the latest TSB calls for a newer fluid and no additional bottles of additive.
Just had mine done yesterday at the dealer. No more noise.
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Old Jul 22, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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First, I have the clunking in my 05.

Now, if I take it into the dealer and they do their magic with a fluid change... How do we know that there isn't any permanent damage inside the diff from it clunking to begin with and that it will resurface later out of warranty?
Would we be better served if we let the clunking run its course and it restricts or locks up the diff. and we get all new guts?

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