Rear end woes
07-14-2019 | 02:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 30
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Rear end woes I am hoping some LS1tech experts can help me out as I am beyond frustrated right now, and haven't been able to find trustworthy help.
I have a 2000 WS6 that I bought new 19 years ago. Some years ago my original rear end was making some noise, and I decided to upgrade instead of repair the original stock fbody rear. I bought a Strange 12 bolt from a popular Chicago area LS1 shop. They told me I also needed a Strange driveshaft which I also purchased. They installed it. Ever since, the rear was noisy with a howl around 40-55mph and a significant rumble when coasting from speeds above 50 or so. I went back and forth with them a bit on it, but it was challenging as I was not local. They told me to get an adjustable torque arm for driveshaft angle, which I did. That didn't help, so then they said aftermarket rears will be a little noisy and have some vibes. Life happened, I had my second child, and chalked it up to that shop not knowing what they were doing. I figured I would find someone in the future who knew what they were doing to help me resolve the issues. After all, rear differentials have been around forever.
Recently, it started leaked out of the pinion, so I contacted Strange with the history. They pointed me to one of their local distributor shops and said take it to them. I did, and they guaranteed me they would get it right. They said the gears had a bad pattern on them, and they would need to replace them. Fine. They did, and when I picked it up, it was still noisy and rumbly. In addition, the e brake no longer held the car. I took it back and pointed this out. They claimed the ebrake was just worn (which was not the case when I brought it in) and they said they would try a different set of gears. Next time we talked, they said they tried a few different gear sets, but couldn't get it right. They said they were working with Strange to set it up right. Finally they said they got a great gear pattern and that was good, but the driveshaft was too short and the tail shaft bushing was worn. They said they had a transmission shop adjust the bushing, and the rumble was gone though. I went to test drive it. It was just as noisy as before (maybe worse) and the ebrake still didn't hold the car. I took it up to 65 or so and let it coast. The rumble was gone, so that was a plus. I took it up to 70 and the shifter started vibrating like a blender. It was scary. I didn't feel a vibe in the seat, but the shifter vibe made my hand hurt. I took it right back and gave them the run down. They claimed they never took it up to that speed, but brought up the short driveshaft and tail shaft bushing again. What was really weird, was he then mentioned that the transmission was aftermarket. I adamantly told him that was BS because I have owned it since new and it still feels the same as it did back then. He said that is what the transmission guy said. He also offered to make a custom driveshaft for me that would solve my problems (at an additional $350). At this point, I didn't trust anything I was hearing, so I told him I was going to have it looked at elsewhere for a second opinion.
The whole thing has me worked up. I have owned the thing for 19 years, and I only want it made right for my limited driving on nice days. I can't seem to find someone who knows what the hell they are talking about or at least is honest and ethical. I never thought 100 year old technology would be this impossible to get right. Maybe the tail shaft bushing is worn, and the driveshaft goes into some bad oscillation at speed, but I can't trust anything I hear from this particular guy anymore. I will look for another drive line shop to get a second opinion, but I was hoping there was some experience on this forum that can help. I'm not sure if Midwest Chassis is still around, but they have posted in the past and seem to know what they are talking about. I'm looking for advice on what the problems can be or where to go next. I am now in the Chicago area, so if you know a reputable shop with this type of experience, let me know. Thanks in advance and please help.
I have a 2000 WS6 that I bought new 19 years ago. Some years ago my original rear end was making some noise, and I decided to upgrade instead of repair the original stock fbody rear. I bought a Strange 12 bolt from a popular Chicago area LS1 shop. They told me I also needed a Strange driveshaft which I also purchased. They installed it. Ever since, the rear was noisy with a howl around 40-55mph and a significant rumble when coasting from speeds above 50 or so. I went back and forth with them a bit on it, but it was challenging as I was not local. They told me to get an adjustable torque arm for driveshaft angle, which I did. That didn't help, so then they said aftermarket rears will be a little noisy and have some vibes. Life happened, I had my second child, and chalked it up to that shop not knowing what they were doing. I figured I would find someone in the future who knew what they were doing to help me resolve the issues. After all, rear differentials have been around forever.
Recently, it started leaked out of the pinion, so I contacted Strange with the history. They pointed me to one of their local distributor shops and said take it to them. I did, and they guaranteed me they would get it right. They said the gears had a bad pattern on them, and they would need to replace them. Fine. They did, and when I picked it up, it was still noisy and rumbly. In addition, the e brake no longer held the car. I took it back and pointed this out. They claimed the ebrake was just worn (which was not the case when I brought it in) and they said they would try a different set of gears. Next time we talked, they said they tried a few different gear sets, but couldn't get it right. They said they were working with Strange to set it up right. Finally they said they got a great gear pattern and that was good, but the driveshaft was too short and the tail shaft bushing was worn. They said they had a transmission shop adjust the bushing, and the rumble was gone though. I went to test drive it. It was just as noisy as before (maybe worse) and the ebrake still didn't hold the car. I took it up to 65 or so and let it coast. The rumble was gone, so that was a plus. I took it up to 70 and the shifter started vibrating like a blender. It was scary. I didn't feel a vibe in the seat, but the shifter vibe made my hand hurt. I took it right back and gave them the run down. They claimed they never took it up to that speed, but brought up the short driveshaft and tail shaft bushing again. What was really weird, was he then mentioned that the transmission was aftermarket. I adamantly told him that was BS because I have owned it since new and it still feels the same as it did back then. He said that is what the transmission guy said. He also offered to make a custom driveshaft for me that would solve my problems (at an additional $350). At this point, I didn't trust anything I was hearing, so I told him I was going to have it looked at elsewhere for a second opinion.
The whole thing has me worked up. I have owned the thing for 19 years, and I only want it made right for my limited driving on nice days. I can't seem to find someone who knows what the hell they are talking about or at least is honest and ethical. I never thought 100 year old technology would be this impossible to get right. Maybe the tail shaft bushing is worn, and the driveshaft goes into some bad oscillation at speed, but I can't trust anything I hear from this particular guy anymore. I will look for another drive line shop to get a second opinion, but I was hoping there was some experience on this forum that can help. I'm not sure if Midwest Chassis is still around, but they have posted in the past and seem to know what they are talking about. I'm looking for advice on what the problems can be or where to go next. I am now in the Chicago area, so if you know a reputable shop with this type of experience, let me know. Thanks in advance and please help.
07-16-2019 | 05:53 PM
#2
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 30
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Minor update....
I put it on the lift yesterday to look into the situation myself. The ebrake cable was hanging out of the chassis clamp above the driveshaft and the right side actuator was busted, so thanks for that driveline shop.
We dropped the driveshaft and discovered some interesting things. This shop claimed they "tightened up the tail shaft bushing without replacing it". I'm not sure how they did that, but we couldn't pull the shaft out of the bushing. It was that tight. We had to use a 2x4 for leverage. I think that may be what led to the massive shifter vibrations at speed. The rear end is tugging on the shaft and it won't pull out easily which vibrates the sh*t out of the trans. The driveshaft looks like it is a bit short, but we measured about 2.4" of spline engagement with about 1.8" of slack/space to the end of the spline. I am thinking that getting a new tail shaft bushing (and ebrake actuator) might be the #1 priority. The rear end is still noisy as hell, but at least it might be driveable.
Anyone know a good transmission shop in the Chicago area? If not, I may have more luck doing it myself at this rate.
I put it on the lift yesterday to look into the situation myself. The ebrake cable was hanging out of the chassis clamp above the driveshaft and the right side actuator was busted, so thanks for that driveline shop.
We dropped the driveshaft and discovered some interesting things. This shop claimed they "tightened up the tail shaft bushing without replacing it". I'm not sure how they did that, but we couldn't pull the shaft out of the bushing. It was that tight. We had to use a 2x4 for leverage. I think that may be what led to the massive shifter vibrations at speed. The rear end is tugging on the shaft and it won't pull out easily which vibrates the sh*t out of the trans. The driveshaft looks like it is a bit short, but we measured about 2.4" of spline engagement with about 1.8" of slack/space to the end of the spline. I am thinking that getting a new tail shaft bushing (and ebrake actuator) might be the #1 priority. The rear end is still noisy as hell, but at least it might be driveable.
Anyone know a good transmission shop in the Chicago area? If not, I may have more luck doing it myself at this rate.
07-17-2019 | 07:23 AM
#3
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 652
Likes: 12
From: Valley Lee, MD. Southern Maryland
Sorry to hear about your problems.Sadly, crap service is all too common these days. I'd start calling shops and see what they can do for you. Google reviews aren't the best way to find a shop but they at least warn you if a shop is absolutely horrible. Midwest Chassis is in business and should be able to help you out a bit. There's plenty of shops around you, I'd start calling. If a place can't help you (the work isn't their bread and butter) they can usually refer you to someone who can help.
There's a small shop called Chicago Connection that has few reviews but all are positive. Looks like they service cars and sell performance parts. I'd start by calling them, explaining your problems, and go from there.
There's a small shop called Chicago Connection that has few reviews but all are positive. Looks like they service cars and sell performance parts. I'd start by calling them, explaining your problems, and go from there.
07-18-2019 | 10:20 AM
#4
Vibes and driveshaft issues are more than likely from twisted splines on the output shaft in the trans, and the driveshaft slip yoke. A M6 trans with will require a high quality aftermarket billet yoke like this https://midwestchassis.com/products/...27-spline-yoke