Rear diff making noises again
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Cullman Al
Rear diff making noises again
I got my car in 2012 with 24k on it around 32k sometimes I'd notice a popping, it got progressively worse. Had the fluid changed at 33979 last November. Well now it's doing it again, noticed it today, exact same sound as last time, Odo hit 50k last week. Service receipt says 88862624 fluid which is ACDelco 75w/90. Is this a fluid issue again so soon? or could it be my rear end?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 237
From: Murphy NC
After a change mine started doing it around 10K+/- miles using non GM fluid.
After I installed the GM gear oil it has gone longer, I am around 13K right now.
I personally feel that the differential oil should probably be changed more often.
DIY it is under 40.00 using GM fluid.
If your rear end started making noise again, just change out the fluid and you will be good for another 17K miles.
I am at 93K now and at 100K I will be swapping all fluids.
After I installed the GM gear oil it has gone longer, I am around 13K right now.
I personally feel that the differential oil should probably be changed more often.
DIY it is under 40.00 using GM fluid.
If your rear end started making noise again, just change out the fluid and you will be good for another 17K miles.
I am at 93K now and at 100K I will be swapping all fluids.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
someone will comment, but there was an updated rear end fluid. hopefully your service dept. used it. then, too, it's difficult to tell what was done the first 24K miles that you didn't own the car and how it was treated. I'd say go for another change, and see if in the stickies or by a search on here you can tell which is the latest GM fluid recommended. I do recall one thing, that the new fluid does not require an additional friction modifier.
note: this may not be the latest bulletin or fluid, but note Post #1.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...end-noise.html
note: this may not be the latest bulletin or fluid, but note Post #1.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...end-noise.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
I changed mine with the new fluid no additive. Mine has been quiet since. There is mention that the noise could return, another fluid change. I remember reading that the clunking doesn't hurt anything, just your nerves.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
Issue with not using the additive is after the fluid gets older, breaks down, and becomes thinner.......you will drive it short distances and be fine because its not getting hot. But the longer the trip and the more heat gets in it the more thing the fluid gets and what will happen is the fluid will not have enough "stuff" to it in order to let your rear diff work properly.
Issues you can have is a chattering sound in slow corners that is almost a rubbing sound like your hand on a balloon and you might have the inside tire chirping as its spinning the same speed as the outside wheel.
Use the best fluid you can. Its cheap insurance and its maybe $20 more or so is all.
Issues you can have is a chattering sound in slow corners that is almost a rubbing sound like your hand on a balloon and you might have the inside tire chirping as its spinning the same speed as the outside wheel.
Use the best fluid you can. Its cheap insurance and its maybe $20 more or so is all.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
That's the new oil. Sounds like the same problem I had with the V (both, actually). First was at 16.5K mi, then again at 18.5K mi before they decided to just replace the whole diff at 20.5K mi since 2 diff oil changes didn't silence the noise.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 547
From: Jackson NJ
I got my car in 2012 with 24k on it around 32k sometimes I'd notice a popping, it got progressively worse. Had the fluid changed at 33979 last November. Well now it's doing it again, noticed it today, exact same sound as last time, Odo hit 50k last week. Service receipt says 88862624 fluid which is ACDelco 75w/90. Is this a fluid issue again so soon? or could it be my rear end?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I got my car in 2012 with 24k on it around 32k sometimes I'd notice a popping, it got progressively worse. Had the fluid changed at 33979 last November. Well now it's doing it again, noticed it today, exact same sound as last time, Odo hit 50k last week. Service receipt says 88862624 fluid which is ACDelco 75w/90. Is this a fluid issue again so soon? or could it be my rear end?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Cullman Al
Didn't do a figure 8, drove around the chevy dealership parking lot around corners did circles clockwise and counterclockwise took my time if it was going to snap crackle or pop I wanted it to do it there. Guess I'll be changing the fluid again, I'll look into the axle nuts as well. Was just worried only have 10k left on my extended warranty if anything mechanical is bad I'd prefer it break now.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Issue with not using the additive is after the fluid gets older, breaks down, and becomes thinner.......you will drive it short distances and be fine because its not getting hot. But the longer the trip and the more heat gets in it the more thing the fluid gets and what will happen is the fluid will not have enough "stuff" to it in order to let your rear diff work properly.
Issues you can have is a chattering sound in slow corners that is almost a rubbing sound like your hand on a balloon and you might have the inside tire chirping as its spinning the same speed as the outside wheel.
Use the best fluid you can. Its cheap insurance and its maybe $20 more or so is all.
Issues you can have is a chattering sound in slow corners that is almost a rubbing sound like your hand on a balloon and you might have the inside tire chirping as its spinning the same speed as the outside wheel.
Use the best fluid you can. Its cheap insurance and its maybe $20 more or so is all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
Indeed, follow the latest TSB, use the latest GM fluid and NO additive (as the TSB directs).
Just a reminder, when backing out of your garage in the morning and making a sharp turn, it is easy to mistake front tire "scrub" for differential chatter. If you notice noise / chatter only while making your first sharp turn out of the garage and then no more noise after that, it's very likely just front tire scrub. If the noise continues for a few miles on average street turns then it's more likely the differential.
Another thing to remember too, if the car has been sitting unused for a good month or more, it is not unusual to get a little differential chatter out of the garage, but then all should be ok after that. If the car is used somewhat regularly, the diff should be ok, no chatter.
Just a reminder, when backing out of your garage in the morning and making a sharp turn, it is easy to mistake front tire "scrub" for differential chatter. If you notice noise / chatter only while making your first sharp turn out of the garage and then no more noise after that, it's very likely just front tire scrub. If the noise continues for a few miles on average street turns then it's more likely the differential.
Another thing to remember too, if the car has been sitting unused for a good month or more, it is not unusual to get a little differential chatter out of the garage, but then all should be ok after that. If the car is used somewhat regularly, the diff should be ok, no chatter.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
When I changed my fluid I didn't need figure eight turns. I serviced to the bottom of filler hole then spun wheels by hand a few revolutions and let it sit overnight. I immediately noticed no noise when I backed out of the garage, drove normally with a few spirited turns left and right. No noise after a few thousand miles.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
That p/n is correct per the TSB that was issued for noise caused by clutch pack slippage in the diff & the fluid should not deteriorate. However.....a second cause of very similar noise, especially when turning at low speed, is loosening of the rear axle nuts. Very easy DIY fix.....these are "torque nuts" & should not be reused, but they're cheap....only a couple of bucks each. P/N 10257766...available from your local dealer or GM Parts House here on the Forum. You'll also need Permatex Red - High Temp threadlocker (small bottle will do) & a 33mm socket. Remove the old nut....clean the axle shaft threads with a small wire brush.....apply Permatex to threads....install new nuts & torque to 145#. Allow the Permatex to dry overnight before driving. If you still hear a noise from the rear, then you may have a further problem in the diff, but replacing the axle nuts is a cheap & easy first check. Hope this helps.....
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Indeed, follow the latest TSB, use the latest GM fluid and NO additive (as the TSB directs).
Just a reminder, when backing out of your garage in the morning and making a sharp turn, it is easy to mistake front tire "scrub" for differential chatter. If you notice noise / chatter only while making your first sharp turn out of the garage and then no more noise after that, it's very likely just front tire scrub. If the noise continues for a few miles on average street turns then it's more likely the differential.
Another thing to remember too, if the car has been sitting unused for a good month or more, it is not unusual to get a little differential chatter out of the garage, but then all should be ok after that. If the car is used somewhat regularly, the diff should be ok, no chatter.
Just a reminder, when backing out of your garage in the morning and making a sharp turn, it is easy to mistake front tire "scrub" for differential chatter. If you notice noise / chatter only while making your first sharp turn out of the garage and then no more noise after that, it's very likely just front tire scrub. If the noise continues for a few miles on average street turns then it's more likely the differential.
Another thing to remember too, if the car has been sitting unused for a good month or more, it is not unusual to get a little differential chatter out of the garage, but then all should be ok after that. If the car is used somewhat regularly, the diff should be ok, no chatter.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
i'll leave it at that