Report all diff problems

[StealthV]

..

[wildwhl]

My diff is seeping from the front pinion bearing. I know this, because I'm very, very careful about how I check it. White stripping tape, alcohol, and other tools work in your favor when used properly.

But the dealer thinks she is just "overfull". Won't know until she runs out of fluid I guess. Time to work on a custom reinforcement of the diff on the shelf. I have a box of parts from lasstss for a cooler, maybe I should just carbon/kevlar/glass the case and call it good.

WW

[kd7895]

I have my 3rd differential in the car, the last being the updated differential recommended here. I now have 42,000 miles and this one is whining significantly more than the others. Never any breakage, just significant noise even when compared to my 9" with Aluminum Centersection in a 1971 Buick GS that was set up fairly loose to begin with.

My dealer is concerned with payment under another warranty claim for a replacement. I will let everyone know, but does anyone have information regarding extending the warranty to 100,000 miles?

Thanks, Mickey Waller

[bronsonllh]

I've got a regular CTS 03. Replaced the whiny diff at 32000 miles in Sept '05. Do you think they put an '06 diff in there?

[StealthV]

Originally Posted by bronsonllh

I've got a regular CTS 03. Replaced the whiny diff at 32000 miles in Sept '05. Do you think they put an '06 diff in there?

Odds are no it does not have the 2006 version because it wasn't available yet.

Does the 2006 V6 CTS have the updated case design?

[v-ape]

I had my diff replaced with an 06 about a month ago. It developed a whine soon after the 500mi. break-in period. (Road & Track had this same problem in their long term test). There is something seriously wrong with the diff's of these cars. As if you didnt know this...

I fear Cadillac wont take action until someone is killed when their rear-end locks up, they lose control of the car and slide into a group of kids playing. Otherwise they will keep it quiet inside GM.

I'm not sure if they watch these forums or not, but there is a serious design flaw with this vehicle. Whether its the diff, the rear suspension, or whatever, something is WRONG. BMW was quick to recall all M3's when their bearings went bad and people were blowing engines, too bad Cadillac doesnt care about their customer base / image as much.

I'm letting mine whine until a month before I decide to sell this thing, then I'll get a new diff, break it in, and sell the car.

[andy92782]

My first post here... I recently acquired an '05 V. It has just under 9K miles on it. The diff definitely makes noise in this car. You can really hear it if the rear seats are folded forward (which I do often since I like to carry a bike in the car with me). Also, the transmission suffers from the 6th gear vibration problem and a new tranny is on order at the dealer.

The car is great but frankly I'm glad I'm leasing it.. seems like the rear diffs don't last much longer than the stock F1 tires!

[urbanski]

Originally Posted by andy92782

The car is great but frankly I'm glad I'm leasing it.. seems like the rear diffs don't last much longer than the stock F1 tires!

lol no they dont
welcome

[wildwhl]

I have to disagree with this.

I went through 2 sets of F1's in <10,000 miles and my current diff has 13,500 miles

WW

[MLV]

#3 goes in tomorrow. At least #2 lasted 14,000 miles. The problem I've had is grinding during low speed turns, very impressive sound for onlookers to enjoy. My service manager said not to worry about it; they'll just keep replacing them as necessary. You'd think Cadillac would be looking for a solution if only to save the company some money.

[kali_cts03]

Originally Posted by MLV

#3 goes in tomorrow. At least #2 lasted 14,000 miles. The problem I've had is grinding during low speed turns, very impressive sound for onlookers to enjoy. My service manager said not to worry about it; they'll just keep replacing them as necessary. You'd think Cadillac would be looking for a solution if only to save the company some money.

I was told the assy for my regular CTS is $1,200 a pop to replace (I'm on my 3rd one)..... not sure if it is anymore expensive for the V but you are right about the question of them replacing them over and over.... wierd!!!

[v-ape]

Originally Posted by kali_cts03

I was told the assy for my regular CTS is $1,200 a pop to replace (I'm on my 3rd one)..... not sure if it is anymore expensive for the V but you are right about the question of them replacing them over and over.... wierd!!!

I think my 2nd diff was 2500 for the V and it started making noise <500miles after it was put in (same problem Road & Track had) and has steadily been getting louder. This is a Cadillac wide problem. The old Catera's had diff problems and my colleagues Escalade just started making noises in his front diff (if you search the Escalade forums you will see this is a common problem there as well).

[kali_cts03]

Originally Posted by v-ape

I think my 2nd diff was 2500 for the V and it started making noise <500miles after it was put in (same problem Road & Track had) and has steadily been getting louder. This is a Cadillac wide problem. The old Catera's had diff problems and my colleagues Escalade just started making noises in his front diff (if you search the Escalade forums you will see this is a common problem there as well).

I was told 2 things now by 2 different people at the service dept. at 2 different dealerships....

1. Service Tech: told me that the rear diff. problem is a problem and will continute to be a problem for some cars no matter what (damn F-up thing to say to a customer, IMO)

2. Service Advisor: 06 rear diff. are good and without any problems, meaning if you had a bad one and got this new 06 diff. end of problems (but I have had mine replaced a few months back with supposedly the new one and my noise, still very faint but starting to come back..... usually takes a couple more months before it gets anoying....

[scottjsmith]

Check out this Service Bulletin:
http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/tsb/data/pip3152g.pdf

I actually own a 2006 Solstice, but since it uses the same LSD as the 2006 CTS, I came to this site to see if anyone here came across the solution. My dealer correctly identified the problem, and applied the fix (quoted below), which does not require any hardware replacement!

Service Information Document ID# 1824733
2004 Cadillac CTS

Subject: Shudder or Bind On Low Speed Turns - keywords axle differential
groan growl moan noise rear slow vibration #PIP3152G - (05/03/2006)

Models: 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX, CTS, CTSV
2005-2006 Cadillac STS
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2007 Saturn Sky
Equipped with Limited Slip Differential (RPO - G80)

This PI is being updated to include 2007 Saturn Sky and also update the Part number for the axle fluid and include part number disclaimer. Please discard PIP3152F

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Service Information: Customer may comment of a shudder or bind from the rear of vehicle on low speed turns such as parking lot maneuvers on vehicles equipped with G80 limited slip rear axle. This condition may be more noticeable with the vehicle at operating temperatures.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Drive the vehicle to warm the rear axle and then drain the axle fluid. Refill with just the 89021677 (in Canada, use 89021678) axle lube and drive the vehicle about 10 minutes performing mostly parking lot turning maneuvers. Drain the rear axle again and mix 1200 ml of 89021677 (in Canada, use 89021678) and 74-89 ml of 1052358 (Canadian P/N 992694) additive outside of the axle and then fill the rear axle with this mixture and re-evaluate.

Part numbers are subject to change. Use any superseded part numbers if the part numbers in this document become discontinued.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Document ID# 1824733
2004 Cadillac CTS

[wildwhl]

It only took me until my 3rd diff to convince the local dealer the additive was necessary

Good information for those of you who can't seem to get your service department to understand that LSD is something your vehicle was equipped with from the factory, not something you took right before calling them

WW