05 cracked rear case
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
05 cracked rear case
I just broke/cracked my rear (haha) differential case on my 2005 Z51.
Because I didn't know it happened I drove it home a few (5) miles.
All I noticed was a slight whinning sound.
I jacked it up and found only a few drops of oil remaining.
I know the cases are a problem on these cars.
I have not modded the car.
But my question is - besides the case itself, how much damage do you guys think it caused?
I want to upgrade to a new Z06 anyway so what would be the best route to take & about how much would it cost approx?
Because I didn't know it happened I drove it home a few (5) miles.
All I noticed was a slight whinning sound.
I jacked it up and found only a few drops of oil remaining.
I know the cases are a problem on these cars.
I have not modded the car.
But my question is - besides the case itself, how much damage do you guys think it caused?
I want to upgrade to a new Z06 anyway so what would be the best route to take & about how much would it cost approx?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Here's a current thread about an '08 blown diff but there is good discussion and info about swapping a Z diff. Good luck. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ffrential.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ffrential.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
If you were driving the car with with diff dry you could've caused some major problems inside. At the very least you might have damaged bearings and maybe over heated the gears.
To switch to the ZO6 diff you'll need to upgrade the main shaft in your tranny to the ZO6 unit. I believe it has more splines.
I wanted to do the same thing as you want but I ended up upgrading to a C5 ZO6 diff. A lot less cheaper and way stronger than the 05 diff.
To switch to the ZO6 diff you'll need to upgrade the main shaft in your tranny to the ZO6 unit. I believe it has more splines.
I wanted to do the same thing as you want but I ended up upgrading to a C5 ZO6 diff. A lot less cheaper and way stronger than the 05 diff.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I just broke/cracked my rear (haha) differential case on my 2005 Z51.
Because I didn't know it happened I drove it home a few (5) miles.
All I noticed was a slight whinning sound.
I jacked it up and found only a few drops of oil remaining.
I know the cases are a problem on these cars.
I have not modded the car.
But my question is - besides the case itself, how much damage do you guys think it caused?
I want to upgrade to a new Z06 anyway so what would be the best route to take & about how much would it cost approx?
Because I didn't know it happened I drove it home a few (5) miles.
All I noticed was a slight whinning sound.
I jacked it up and found only a few drops of oil remaining.
I know the cases are a problem on these cars.
I have not modded the car.
But my question is - besides the case itself, how much damage do you guys think it caused?
I want to upgrade to a new Z06 anyway so what would be the best route to take & about how much would it cost approx?
How many miles do you have on the car?
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
C6 Corvette Differentials
We offer many options when it comes to upgrading the C6 differentials. In order to use an 06 and later (Non Z06) diff in an 05, you must use a later case extension. We can build these later diffs with Z06 axles, different ratios, and even more robust components if required.
Feel free to give me a call with any questions.
Tom 1-800-963-9632 ext 240.
We offer many options when it comes to upgrading the C6 differentials. In order to use an 06 and later (Non Z06) diff in an 05, you must use a later case extension. We can build these later diffs with Z06 axles, different ratios, and even more robust components if required.
Feel free to give me a call with any questions.
Tom 1-800-963-9632 ext 240.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
2005 diffs were redesigned for 2006 because they break when you do the simple act of driving the car. The 2005 is the weakest diff year and should be replaced with a C5 diff or change the tailhousing on the transmission and get a 2006+ differential.
Using a Z06 diff requires the tailhousing and the output shaft to be replaced. The latter is quite involved.
I opted for a C5 diff because the cores are cheaper and they bolt directly to the transmission as is.
Using a Z06 diff requires the tailhousing and the output shaft to be replaced. The latter is quite involved.
I opted for a C5 diff because the cores are cheaper and they bolt directly to the transmission as is.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
When I broke my 05 rear after 301 drag strip passes I took Spinmonster's recommendation and put in a C5 rear. 120 passes so far and still going strong. And about 1/3 - 1/2 the price of an 06+ rear.
Sparo2 has a great write up on the process and is becoming an expert on the subject.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 33
From: S.D. CA
2005 diffs were redesigned for 2006 because they break when you do the simple act of driving the car. The 2005 is the weakest diff year and should be replaced with a C5 diff or change the tailhousing on the transmission and get a 2006+ differential.
Using a Z06 diff requires the tailhousing and the output shaft to be replaced. The latter is quite involved.
I opted for a C5 diff because the cores are cheaper and they bolt directly to the transmission as is.
Using a Z06 diff requires the tailhousing and the output shaft to be replaced. The latter is quite involved.
I opted for a C5 diff because the cores are cheaper and they bolt directly to the transmission as is.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Last edited by Joe_G; Oct 22, 2010 at 09:28 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I thought you were going to post to one of the old threads like this one: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-write-up.html
I hadn't seen that new one!
I hadn't seen that new one!
Last edited by 5 Liter Eater; Oct 22, 2010 at 10:55 AM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the info.
This car has only 18K miles & never raced.
I think it must have hade a small crack in it for about 6 months because now that I think of it there was a very slight smell of some kind of oil drip on the exhaust. I thought maybe somewhere up front.
I guess the Z51 option dosent address the diff problem.
I decided to get a new diff from DTE.
I'll have my trans mechanic install it for me.
I decided to keep it original as is the rest of the car since I want to sell it anyway. I know if I was going to buy a used vette I would want a virgin car if I could get it.
I'm in the process of buying a 2010 Z06 anyway.
Know anyone who wants to buy a very nice 2005 coupe with new PS2's?
Thanks for all the info.
This car has only 18K miles & never raced.
I think it must have hade a small crack in it for about 6 months because now that I think of it there was a very slight smell of some kind of oil drip on the exhaust. I thought maybe somewhere up front.
I guess the Z51 option dosent address the diff problem.
I decided to get a new diff from DTE.
I'll have my trans mechanic install it for me.
I decided to keep it original as is the rest of the car since I want to sell it anyway. I know if I was going to buy a used vette I would want a virgin car if I could get it.
I'm in the process of buying a 2010 Z06 anyway.
Know anyone who wants to buy a very nice 2005 coupe with new PS2's?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 275
My rear cracked at 13k miles, to the OP, if you have any mechanical skills at all do this yourself, it is a very good learning experience, the dealer quoted me 8 hours $800 to do it, i thought it would be a PITA but it was VERY simple to do, there are awesome wright ups, and it only took ME 5 hours my very first time. With no help from anyone, and no lift. I feel a major accomplishment and the extra 800 in my pocket is very nice as well. Good luck and if you have any ?'s pm me.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
FYI, if you guys haven't thought about it....note that you can sell your good 3:42 rear to an automatic guy (they never break their rears and 3:42 gears are a great mod for automatics) and with the money you get, you can pretty much pay for a built c5 rear with 4:10 gears and hardened shaft, including the bracket you need, and perhaps even the install cost!
So if you are drag racing, sell that 05 rear while it's still got some value.
So if you are drag racing, sell that 05 rear while it's still got some value.