Differential - how do you know?

JasonReese · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-07, 08:24 PM

Hi Everybody, new 03 CTS owner and so far love it! I have been scrolling thru this site for a couple of weeks and finally joined. Anyway, I have noticed a lot of talk about the differential for this car, some are great and others are huge problems, are there any signs that this could be going bad?

Thanks in advance everybody, this looks to be a wonderful reference for everything CTS! I will get pics up of how mine is being modded.

erdoc48 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-07, 08:37 PM

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...ts-recall.html

All of the CTS's will be recalled starting in Feb. 2008 for replacement of the rear diff. pinion seal. If this fails, the diff. loses fluid, and I would assume the diff will whine and become real loud (ala Rosie O'Donnell) when driving. Call the number at the bottom of the article in the link above to let Cadillac know you are the current owner of your CTS, so that you get notified appropriately.

RightTurn · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-07, 09:46 PM

I believe the recall is for '05 and newer.

87vertgt · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-07, 11:09 PM

signs of it going bad is the whine..clunking ...also just jack up the rear and get a really good light and start checking for leaks...

petronm2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-31-07, 02:51 AM

If all they do is replace the rear axle bushing with a new OEM bushing any differential gear oil leaks from the axle will be fixed. The whining may cease if no gears were damaged due to the lack of fluid. But the "clunking" sound will not be fixed. The clunking is associated with the front bushing which is the only support the pinion has to keep its angle and the bushing is only rubber. When driving to hard and shifting "aggressivly" same with down shifting, I dont think it takes much, the rubber bushing flat out fails and the pinion loses its angle then "Clunk". There are a few shops out that sell fabricated supports for the pinion. When I got the pinion truely secured and was able to launch hard from an idle with no "clunk" I think I went through $150 in gas the next two days! Also, if you get the rear vibration or shaking theres a good chance your u-joint needs replaced, especially if you also get the clunking. The unsecured pinion losing its angle has a large negitave effect on the u-joint.

Spyke · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-07, 12:50 PM

my diff. just started leaking a bit. maybe few drops (not a pint, just few drops)... 'til the recall's made, how can I check the differential fluid level if it needs some or not? If I have to wait til feb, doing approxim. 750 kms per week, I'd really like to check the diff. fluid level.. or if someone can tell me that if I go to a dealer and tell the problem with the leaking, would they change it as a recall or am I going to be charged for it?

tks!

petronm2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-31-07, 01:39 PM

Your gunna have to jack up both the front and back of the car, making sure the cars level. Find the bolt on the side of the diff. facing the rear end, remove the bolt and the gear oil should be level with the hole.

RightTurn · #8 (**permalink**) 12-31-07, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyke

my diff. just started leaking a bit. maybe few drops (not a pint, just few drops)... 'til the recall's made, how can I check the differential fluid level if it needs some or not? If I have to wait til feb, doing approxim. 750 kms per week, I'd really like to check the diff. fluid level.. or if someone can tell me that if I go to a dealer and tell the problem with the leaking, would they change it as a recall or am I going to be charged for it?

tks!

Naturally if you're still under warranty, take it in and let the dealer fix it. You might call your dealer and discuss the possibility of having it fixed now as a sort of "pre-recall". Good luck.

JasonReese · #9 (**permalink**) 12-31-07, 07:58 PM

Let me throw this out there since I am mechanically an idiot. I have noticed that my car seems to not be quit sure of itself where shift point are, it seems like it is gearing up and down alot at medium speeds (20-40mph). Is this common or is there something I should be looking at? Sport mode seems to be better, but with the added aggressiveness I would assume the sport mode to shift all over the place so the RPMs are always at ideal points. Thanks again for all you guys' help!

z06bigbird · #10 (**permalink**) 12-31-07, 09:20 PM

Caddy mechanic and service writer tell me not to worry about rear unless it starts chattering when I back up. No fluid leaks on mine.