C5...metal in diff fluid...how freaking bad is this? (PICS)
06-05-2011, 07:02 PM
#1
C5...metal in diff fluid...how freaking bad is this? (PICS) I recently bought this 2000 C5 FRC, and I've been chasing down an issue with some noise coming from the rear of the car. I flew in to buy the car, and as soon as I left to drive home, I started hearing popping, clicking, and clunking coming from the rear. When I got it home, I started searching to see what to look for, and I thought I had it pegged as an issue with either the axle nut being loose or the splines needing to be lubed, which evidently is a common issue with the C5s. I've pulled the axle nut and lubed the crap out of the axle splines on both the inner and outer side of the hub, torqued the axle nut to spec, and still no joy. The thing is making noise like crazy when I come to a stop (clunk), or take off in first gear (pop). I also hear noise shifting into second (clunk), and sometimes cruising in first at low speed (clicks). I don't hear any noise at all in turns. If I'm cruising in 2nd gear and stab the throttle, I'll hear a clunk.
I was taking another shot at fixing the noise today...pulled the axle nuts and re-lubed everything once again (pushing in on the threaded shaft so I could lube the splines on the inboard side of the hub). I decided I should probably change the differential fluid as well to rule that out, so I drained it into my pan. Once drained, I pulled the plastic plug in the pan to drain the fluid into the resevoir, and once it was dry, this is what I found in the top of the pan...
Obviously, metal shards and chunks in the differential fluid is an issue. My question is...how bad is this? The car is basically a driver car that my wife uses to drive to work, but I also have a truck she can use. The car still drives fine, and we're not hard on it at all...it just makes a bit of a racket at times.
Thanks in advance.
I was taking another shot at fixing the noise today...pulled the axle nuts and re-lubed everything once again (pushing in on the threaded shaft so I could lube the splines on the inboard side of the hub). I decided I should probably change the differential fluid as well to rule that out, so I drained it into my pan. Once drained, I pulled the plastic plug in the pan to drain the fluid into the resevoir, and once it was dry, this is what I found in the top of the pan...
Obviously, metal shards and chunks in the differential fluid is an issue. My question is...how bad is this? The car is basically a driver car that my wife uses to drive to work, but I also have a truck she can use. The car still drives fine, and we're not hard on it at all...it just makes a bit of a racket at times.
Thanks in advance.
06-09-2011, 08:44 AM
#6
I've been trying...called and left a message yesterday morning. Called back later on in the afternoon and was told that someone would be calling me back "shortly". Still haven't heard from them...
I took the car to Bachman Chevrolet (who supposedly is pretty well regarded in the Corvette community) on Monday, and the tech there told me that the metal in the diff fluid was "normal", and that he had never seen more than one or two rear ends on a Corvette fail. I politely paid their bill and took the car and left...
I took the car to Bachman Chevrolet (who supposedly is pretty well regarded in the Corvette community) on Monday, and the tech there told me that the metal in the diff fluid was "normal", and that he had never seen more than one or two rear ends on a Corvette fail. I politely paid their bill and took the car and left...
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06-09-2011, 09:47 AM
#8
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I've been trying...called and left a message yesterday morning. Called back later on in the afternoon and was told that someone would be calling me back "shortly". Still haven't heard from them...
I took the car to Bachman Chevrolet (who supposedly is pretty well regarded in the Corvette community) on Monday, and the tech there told me that the metal in the diff fluid was "normal", and that he had never seen more than one or two rear ends on a Corvette fail. I politely paid their bill and took the car and left...
I took the car to Bachman Chevrolet (who supposedly is pretty well regarded in the Corvette community) on Monday, and the tech there told me that the metal in the diff fluid was "normal", and that he had never seen more than one or two rear ends on a Corvette fail. I politely paid their bill and took the car and left...
You could try
http://tichenorservicecenter.com/
Tichenor Service Center
976 Frost Avenue, Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-6477
Rob Tichenor is a real nice guy, and used to work for Hunt and Knight back in the 80's. He still works on a lot of Vettes. He has a nice shop and works on everything from street rods to brand new cars.
06-09-2011, 10:00 AM
#10
Well, just got a rough estimate of 2-3k to have Hunt and Knight pull the diff, send it out for a rebuild, and reinstall. I think I may take my chances pulling it out myself and sending it to RPM and reinstalling it myself before I pay that much...
They are going to get back to me with a more accurate figure later today.
They are going to get back to me with a more accurate figure later today.
06-09-2011, 10:16 AM
#12
TECH Resident
I has similar chunks in my diff fluid and stuck on the magnet on the diff cover.
This is what my diff looked like when I took it out.
Not surprised I heard a few noises, and bits of metal left in the oil.
This is what my diff looked like when I took it out.
Not surprised I heard a few noises, and bits of metal left in the oil.
