broken C6 rear end
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 4
From: Spring TX
broken C6 rear end
Broke the rear end in my C6 last night, seemingly on the right side, but can't really tell yet since it was fairly dark and couldn't see under the car. Hope to get under there later today when I get the car back to my house to visually examine the damage.
I was going for maximal acceleration from a stop, 2200 rpm on the stock runflats with a quick clutch release (not a sidestep, but fairly quick). As I engaged the throttle I heard a metallic "tink" and the revs shot up to 6500 rpm instantly but the car never moved.
Lot's of fluid leaked out from the diff area but there weren't any broken parts on the ground. I bet this is going to be fairly expensive to fix. I must say I'm surprised to have broken it so easily as I've been easier on my C6 than any of my previous cars, particularly on launches. I used to be pretty bad on dump-clutch launches in my heavily modded 944T but never broke anything more than a half-shaft gear housing with that car, and it accelerated as quick (at least) as my C6 w/Z51, catback and halltech airfilter replacement.
Is this fairly common for the C6? Thanks....
I was going for maximal acceleration from a stop, 2200 rpm on the stock runflats with a quick clutch release (not a sidestep, but fairly quick). As I engaged the throttle I heard a metallic "tink" and the revs shot up to 6500 rpm instantly but the car never moved.
Lot's of fluid leaked out from the diff area but there weren't any broken parts on the ground. I bet this is going to be fairly expensive to fix. I must say I'm surprised to have broken it so easily as I've been easier on my C6 than any of my previous cars, particularly on launches. I used to be pretty bad on dump-clutch launches in my heavily modded 944T but never broke anything more than a half-shaft gear housing with that car, and it accelerated as quick (at least) as my C6 w/Z51, catback and halltech airfilter replacement.
Is this fairly common for the C6? Thanks....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Burlington County NJ
The 2005s had weak rears and there a quite a few that broke, especially at the drag strip. 2006 had a stronger rear put in and one of the supported shops is doing a C5 rear swap for the c6.
im not an expert, but if u do a search, you will find plenty on this topic.
im not an expert, but if u do a search, you will find plenty on this topic.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Broke the rear end in my C6 last night, seemingly on the right side, but can't really tell yet since it was fairly dark and couldn't see under the car. Hope to get under there later today when I get the car back to my house to visually examine the damage.
I was going for maximal acceleration from a stop, 2200 rpm on the stock runflats with a quick clutch release (not a sidestep, but fairly quick). As I engaged the throttle I heard a metallic "tink" and the revs shot up to 6500 rpm instantly but the car never moved.
Lot's of fluid leaked out from the diff area but there weren't any broken parts on the ground. I bet this is going to be fairly expensive to fix. I must say I'm surprised to have broken it so easily as I've been easier on my C6 than any of my previous cars, particularly on launches. I used to be pretty bad on dump-clutch launches in my heavily modded 944T but never broke anything more than a half-shaft gear housing with that car, and it accelerated as quick (at least) as my C6 w/Z51, catback and halltech airfilter replacement.
Is this fairly common for the C6? Thanks....
Mine is an early 2006 #00882 built in 9/2005. Maybe they were using up the rest of the 2005 parts, lol.
I was going for maximal acceleration from a stop, 2200 rpm on the stock runflats with a quick clutch release (not a sidestep, but fairly quick). As I engaged the throttle I heard a metallic "tink" and the revs shot up to 6500 rpm instantly but the car never moved.
Lot's of fluid leaked out from the diff area but there weren't any broken parts on the ground. I bet this is going to be fairly expensive to fix. I must say I'm surprised to have broken it so easily as I've been easier on my C6 than any of my previous cars, particularly on launches. I used to be pretty bad on dump-clutch launches in my heavily modded 944T but never broke anything more than a half-shaft gear housing with that car, and it accelerated as quick (at least) as my C6 w/Z51, catback and halltech airfilter replacement.
Is this fairly common for the C6? Thanks....
Mine is an early 2006 #00882 built in 9/2005. Maybe they were using up the rest of the 2005 parts, lol.
The '05 rear usually gets the bad rap for being weak. But the rears were supposedly redesigned and strengthened in the '06.
Of course wheel hop or a dead hook if either of these is what happened, can kill most any rear end.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
Yeah!!!! Summer is coming. I predicted to Spinmopnster that once spring hit we would see more broken 05 AND 06 rears. (He is selling an 05 core)
Yes, this is pretty common in the C6. You could have broken a shaft, but due to the description I'm leaning towards a broken housing. I did the same thing in mine. If its under warranty have at it. I hope it is and I'm sorry for your misfortune. I realized my jovial post might come off wrong to guy that just did $5k worth of damage to his car. Again, I feel ya. Sometimes you hurt the output shaft on the tranny. Mine was tweeked so the tranny came out and was gone through with all stout parts. If you have any questions or want to talk about options give me a buzz.
FWIW I had Cartek put a C5 rear in mine. But I beat the dog droppings out of mine. I really hope its a warranty issue for ya
Yes, this is pretty common in the C6. You could have broken a shaft, but due to the description I'm leaning towards a broken housing. I did the same thing in mine. If its under warranty have at it. I hope it is and I'm sorry for your misfortune. I realized my jovial post might come off wrong to guy that just did $5k worth of damage to his car. Again, I feel ya. Sometimes you hurt the output shaft on the tranny. Mine was tweeked so the tranny came out and was gone through with all stout parts. If you have any questions or want to talk about options give me a buzz.
FWIW I had Cartek put a C5 rear in mine. But I beat the dog droppings out of mine. I really hope its a warranty issue for ya
Last edited by AintQik; Apr 6, 2007 at 01:59 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
The earlier rears tend to break quite easily with a stick. See if you can get it covered under warranty. You were on the street and on stock tires. They should cover it.
If you have any questions about the C6 to C5 rear conversion just shoot me a PM.
Max
If you have any questions about the C6 to C5 rear conversion just shoot me a PM.
Max
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 4
From: Spring TX
Well, I let the car sit in my garage for about 7 weeks...sort of down on the car (first Corvette and all) after this failure. Finally called up a local dealership this week and put it in the shop. On the first day after my car was at the dealership, the diagnosis was: trans output shaft shattered and took the diff with it. After two days in the shop, it was also discovered the trans main shaft was BENT. WTF?!? Isn't this the same transmission which goes into the 8+ liter Viper? 
How are you twin-turbo guys putting down the power without destroying the drive train?
I have to say, as a first time purchaser of a GM product, I am impressed by a) the warranty coverage of this catastrophic failure and b) the offer of a loaner (Porsche only did this when I complained when the car was in for a, relatively, minor problem.)
How are you twin-turbo guys putting down the power without destroying the drive train?I have to say, as a first time purchaser of a GM product, I am impressed by a) the warranty coverage of this catastrophic failure and b) the offer of a loaner (Porsche only did this when I complained when the car was in for a, relatively, minor problem.)
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Spicewood Texas
Which dealer are you using?
Railgun,
May I ask which dealer in Austin you are using for the repair work? I haven't had any problems yet, but I would like to have a recommended dealer to take my car to if I do have a problem.
May I ask which dealer in Austin you are using for the repair work? I haven't had any problems yet, but I would like to have a recommended dealer to take my car to if I do have a problem.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Livingston Montana
Since the dealership is honoring the Warranty and installing a new differential, are they putting in an older (weaker) 2005 diff or the newer (stronger) 2006 diff?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
From: Baton Rouge LA
im sure you've already read this, but it's a great read and talks all about the c6 rear end.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1334493
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1334493
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 4
From: Spring TX
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm glad to hear the damage is being repaired under warranty. The way things are, I wouldn't have been surprised to have a dealer look at an intake and say no way. They'll likely use reconditioned parts so insist on 2006 parts...they should use these anyway IMO.
I'm still laying down some power with my 2005 and doing fine (knock on wood).
I hope they get you back on the road soon.
I'm still laying down some power with my 2005 and doing fine (knock on wood).
I hope they get you back on the road soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
The '06+ diff won't mate to the '05 tranny. Unless they are replacing the tranny too with a newer one the diff will be the '05 design. In any case it's good to hear it's being warrantied.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 20
From: www.shockerracing.com
I was just going to post up about this, has anyone heard if they had used up the '05 Rear ends in the early '06's because my buddies '06 rear end broke just like yours did Railgun. I am told that you shouldn't have this problem with the 06-07 rear end. And I too am now wondering if they replaced his rear with an 05 or an 06 rear end depending on which rear it had.