Recall for Diff.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 57
i'm sorry you guys are already having problems.... but i have to say i called the e diff a huge mistake and though this little issue is no big deal in the big picture, we'll see whether i was right after a few years.... or maybe sooner.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
The question is more about how they deal with the problems that arise, rather than the problems themselves.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 301
From: Tucson Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Your calling of the e diff "a huge mistake" is based on what?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 57
its not off to a good start, though this problem is not a big one right now.
CLIFFS NOTES:
i predict that time will tell that the ediff is really another overly complicated nanny designed to prevent proper driving by people who know what they are doing, and improper driving by people that don't, in conjunction with the VSES.
i predict that it will not perform as well as a good torsen style mechanical diff would have, or even the cheap clutch pack the c2-6 came with, which works pretty well actually.
i predict that it will be complicated and prone to failure, much moreso than either of the above.
i predict that people who really like to track or autocross their z51's will be trying to find ways to trick the software and swap out the ediffs soon.
time will tell.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 57
I really feel bad for owners, and for GM, if this goes really badly.... but i think time will tell it was stupid to even try. here we go again:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...-2282-a-2.html
that said, if any of you guys ragging on me for my opinion/prediction have this problem, i will be forced to chuckle.
imagine how much fun it will be if the e diff decides to change settings mid corner on track! fun! c7, meet wall... or at least meet ruined lap.
frankly, even if the e diff does not prove to be a disaster, the limited slip on the c5-6 was not one of the things that really needed 'upgrading' in the first place, much less at the additional weight, complexity, and expense of an e diff.
i expect it will be widely viewed as a bad idea soon.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...-2282-a-2.html
that said, if any of you guys ragging on me for my opinion/prediction have this problem, i will be forced to chuckle.
imagine how much fun it will be if the e diff decides to change settings mid corner on track! fun! c7, meet wall... or at least meet ruined lap.
frankly, even if the e diff does not prove to be a disaster, the limited slip on the c5-6 was not one of the things that really needed 'upgrading' in the first place, much less at the additional weight, complexity, and expense of an e diff.
i expect it will be widely viewed as a bad idea soon.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,375
Likes: 406
From: Florida
FWIW, I have been told there are 2 issues: the fluid (in a small percentage of cars) and issues with the firmware / hardware in the controller. The latter is the main driver behind the Z51 constraint according to this individual.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville TN
we'll see.
its not off to a good start, though this problem is not a big one right now.
CLIFFS NOTES:
i predict that time will tell that the ediff is really another overly complicated nanny designed to prevent proper driving by people who know what they are doing, and improper driving by people that don't, in conjunction with the VSES.
i predict that it will not perform as well as a good torsen style mechanical diff would have, or even the cheap clutch pack the c2-6 came with, which works pretty well actually.
i predict that it will be complicated and prone to failure, much moreso than either of the above.
i predict that people who really like to track or autocross their z51's will be trying to find ways to trick the software and swap out the ediffs soon.
time will tell.
its not off to a good start, though this problem is not a big one right now.
CLIFFS NOTES:
i predict that time will tell that the ediff is really another overly complicated nanny designed to prevent proper driving by people who know what they are doing, and improper driving by people that don't, in conjunction with the VSES.
i predict that it will not perform as well as a good torsen style mechanical diff would have, or even the cheap clutch pack the c2-6 came with, which works pretty well actually.
i predict that it will be complicated and prone to failure, much moreso than either of the above.
i predict that people who really like to track or autocross their z51's will be trying to find ways to trick the software and swap out the ediffs soon.
time will tell.
Time will tell.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
GM determines what is done during the PDI. With current levels of quality control it is wasteful to check everything on the car and GM does not pay the dealer to do it, nor expect them to.
That being said, this sounds like a case of vendor quality gone bad. I'm sure GM checked into the vendor's system for filling and checking fluid level of the diff's when a couple turned up empty, and found it lacking. No doubt corrections have been made that will elminate the problem from now on, but all of the early cars could have had a problem and need to be checked.
Mine was checked and found to be full. They recall states that if the diff is low, the dealer should test drive the car to check for any noise. If any noise is detected the enitre diff will be replaced.
That being said, this sounds like a case of vendor quality gone bad. I'm sure GM checked into the vendor's system for filling and checking fluid level of the diff's when a couple turned up empty, and found it lacking. No doubt corrections have been made that will elminate the problem from now on, but all of the early cars could have had a problem and need to be checked.
Mine was checked and found to be full. They recall states that if the diff is low, the dealer should test drive the car to check for any noise. If any noise is detected the enitre diff will be replaced.
If any Corvette left with low fluid, and its actually checkable, then someone didn't do their job...multiple times at multiple locations. And I wouldn't doubt it. PDIs are seen as gravy work, and done asap with as little effort as possible, I'm sure. Also considered by some to be a waste of time and money, when they could be making $ on a better job with more bookable hours. So they whiz thru it, giving it the penci check only.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Twin Falls Idaho
Criticism of the new differential reminds me of the negative comments when they introduced the continuously-adjustable computer controlled F55 shocks. Within a few years they are standard equipment on the high performance Vettes, Porsches and Ferraris. I'd not own a car without them.
eLSD criticism falls in the same category. Part of the reason the Z51 drives like its on rails is eLSD. I have been driving in snow and the eLSD does a great job on broken ice/snow/bare pavement: full throttle, power alternating between left-right wheels to keep it going in a straight line. Fantastic! I'll live with teething pains, if any appear with my car.
Billsee
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,665
Likes: 340
Justin, our cars are almost twins: mine is Z51 and #843. Dealer checked mine and said fluid level was dead nuts on. And he WANTED to find it low so he could "test drive" it .
Criticism of the new differential reminds me of the negative comments when they introduced the continuously-adjustable computer controlled F55 shocks. Within a few years they are standard equipment on the high performance Vettes, Porsches and Ferraris. I'd not own a car without them.
eLSD criticism falls in the same category. Part of the reason the Z51 drives like its on rails is eLSD. I have been driving in snow and the eLSD does a great job on broken ice/snow/bare pavement: full throttle, power alternating between left-right wheels to keep it going in a straight line. Fantastic! I'll live with teething pains, if any appear with my car.
Billsee
Criticism of the new differential reminds me of the negative comments when they introduced the continuously-adjustable computer controlled F55 shocks. Within a few years they are standard equipment on the high performance Vettes, Porsches and Ferraris. I'd not own a car without them.
eLSD criticism falls in the same category. Part of the reason the Z51 drives like its on rails is eLSD. I have been driving in snow and the eLSD does a great job on broken ice/snow/bare pavement: full throttle, power alternating between left-right wheels to keep it going in a straight line. Fantastic! I'll live with teething pains, if any appear with my car.
Billsee
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
we'll see.
its not off to a good start, though this problem is not a big one right now.
CLIFFS NOTES:
i predict that time will tell that the ediff is really another overly complicated nanny designed to prevent proper driving by people who know what they are doing, and improper driving by people that don't, in conjunction with the VSES.
i predict that it will not perform as well as a good torsen style mechanical diff would have, or even the cheap clutch pack the c2-6 came with, which works pretty well actually.
i predict that it will be complicated and prone to failure, much moreso than either of the above.
i predict that people who really like to track or autocross their z51's will be trying to find ways to trick the software and swap out the ediffs soon.
time will tell.
its not off to a good start, though this problem is not a big one right now.
CLIFFS NOTES:
i predict that time will tell that the ediff is really another overly complicated nanny designed to prevent proper driving by people who know what they are doing, and improper driving by people that don't, in conjunction with the VSES.
i predict that it will not perform as well as a good torsen style mechanical diff would have, or even the cheap clutch pack the c2-6 came with, which works pretty well actually.
i predict that it will be complicated and prone to failure, much moreso than either of the above.
i predict that people who really like to track or autocross their z51's will be trying to find ways to trick the software and swap out the ediffs soon.
time will tell.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kerrville Tx
Mine is #2894 in shop getting new diff now. Also not a z/51 base cars have this problem too. Also the diff noise started in less than 400 miles.
Last edited by redplasticcar; Dec 15, 2013 at 11:31 AM.