Another Differential Thread - Please help!

[SRT ACE]

Hello All,

I just recently purchased a used 2004 Cadillac SRX V6 AWD with 62k miels sight unseen (I know, I know)...

I am from Southeast PA and the car was located in Boise, ID. Finally (about three weeks after purchase) made arrangements to fly out, ski for a couple days outside SLC, UT, and then drive back home. Well, here is where the story gets awful and I feel sick to my stomach...

My brother (dragged him along for the trip) and I departed SLC Friday afternoon around 4:15pm with plans to drive to Laramie, WY. About 10 minutes before Rawlins, WY we heard a loud shuddering coming from the rear end while completing a pass of a semi. It sounded like we were running over the rumble strips but had noticed nothing wrong with the road. It lasted for a few seconds and then stopped.

About 5 minutes later the shuddering came back and was persistant. After a few minutes of slower driving we pulled over at a Rawlins exit with the back end making some awful noises (shuddering, grinding). Decided to get back on the road and try to make it to Laramie (90 miles). After a couple more miles I decided it was not safe and returned to a Rawlins hotel.

Today we had the SRX towed over to one of only two shops open on Saturday. The tech jacked up the vehicle and put the car in gear. The front tires spun nicely but the back did not move. He gave it some gas and the back tires finally started to move before a grinding noise occurred and he stopped. He (very unfamiliar with Cadillacs) thinks that the rear differential is shot. I asked about any leaks coming from it and he said the there was some coming from the front side.

So, as of now my brother and I are stuck in Rawlins, Wyoming trying to figure out the next steps (which won't come until Monday).

So, here come the questions:

1. Any reason to believe it is anything other than the rear differential?
2. Any ideas on the quickest way to get a new differential?
3. What about sourcing a used differential? Didn't find anything on eBay or some other quick online searches. Ideas? What would be delivery time from GMpartsdirect or newgmparts.com?
4. Stretching here, but is there anyway to bandaid the problem until I get home/to a bigger city? I.e. could I remove the differential and rear axles to let the rear wheels spin freely (essentially driving a FWD vehicle)? What could I do with the driveshaft? Any other ideas? If this were safe and would inflict no further vehicle damage (??) this would be my first choice to get to a quality mechanic and not be stuck in Rawlins, WY waiting on parts. Also, if I got the diff home would it be able to rebuilt?

Thanks in advance...

ACE

FYI, the GM part no is 19181710 for the GW1 3.91 (per VIN lookup) or 3.90 per GM parts department. They call it a carrier unit.

[mthake]

I just replaced my diff for a different reason, but I got it quickly from a salvage yard that I found on car-part.com. check it out they might have one for you. sorry to hear of your misfortune, hope it turns out okay.

[Habu]

Ace:
I think you're kind of stuck till Monday unless you can find a caddy tech in town. there was a caddy dealer in rawlins and another 100 miles to the east in Laramie. After that it's cheyenne or Denver/boulder Colo.
You might try removing the driveshaft just to see if it is in fact the rear diff. there is a thread on this site that explains how the AWD system works. You might look that up and see if you that helps you troubleshoot the problem. I'd be kind of hesitant to drive it with just the front end pulling but I'm really cluless as to the tech details of the AWD system on the SRX. All of my vehicles are 4wd, but all of the others are your basic 4wd system, pretty primitive in comparison. FYI, there is a giant storm system headed your way, you might want to stay where you are anyway. I'm 100mi south of you and they are calling for 1-3 feet with big winds, and trust me, the wind in Wyoming is something else- especially along I80.

[Habu]

Ace;
FYI, I80 is closed at Laramie due to blizzard conditions. Laramie to denver is closed as well.

[SRT ACE]

Originally Posted by mthake

I just replaced my diff for a different reason, but I got it quickly from a salvage yard that I found on car-part.com. check it out they might have one for you. sorry to hear of your misfortune, hope it turns out okay.

Yeah, I titled my thread after reading yours. Additionally, I tried to PM you about locating the diff., but was unable to because I haven't posted enough/been a member long enough. Thanks for the website. I'll check it out.

Habu, I have already booked the hotel till Monday, although I'm afraid I'll be here longer (snow storm and part availability). I'm inclined to get the SRX towed over to Skyline motors (Caddy dealer) v. the current shop location. I don't think I will have them remove the driveshaft at shop rates.

The most frustrating part is that I'm not at home with my tools to be doing the troubleshooting myself...

Can anyone else comment on a temporary conversion to FWD?

[SRT ACE]

Habu,

Is this the thread that you are referring to re: how the AWD works: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...nplug-awd.html

If not, can you direct me to the thread you had in mind? I searched and couldn't find anything.

[The Wrench]

Ouch, bad luck!
Have you ruled out the transfer case? it's probably not that, but unhooking the driveshaft might be the only way to positively isolate it to the diff.
Rear wheel bearing or axle/CV joint is a remote possibility also I suppose.
There was a recall on the diff seals, don't know if it includes your year or not - you might do a search here on that topic.

Getting a diff from gmpartsdirect.com could, in my experience with them, take awhile; a looooong while.

Can't comment on just unhooking the rear and driving on the front; but it's an interesting concept. Might kill the transfer case though.

Good Luck.
DG

[SRT ACE]

Originally Posted by The Wrench

Ouch, bad luck!
Have you ruled out the transfer case? it's probably not that, but unhooking the driveshaft might be the only way to positively isolate it to the diff.
Rear wheel bearing or axle/CV joint is a remote possibility also I suppose.
There was a recall on the diff seals, don't know if it includes your year or not - you might do a search here on that topic.

Getting a diff from gmpartsdirect.com could, in my experience with them, take awhile; a looooong while.

Can't comment on just unhooking the rear and driving on the front; but it's an interesting concept. Might kill the transfer case though.

Good Luck.
DG

Thanks DG. It sounds like it might be prudent to rule out the transfer case (both you and Habu agree). Can this be done simply from determining where the noise is coming from? What is the easiest way to disconnect the drive shaft?

Interesting note that I had left out is that the guy I bought from said that just before the sale the DIC read that the traction control sensor needed to be replaced (or something to that affect). He had his tech replace the sensor which I believe he told me was in the transfer case (?).

[n7don_srx]

The pinion seal recall applied to MY 04 - 07 and included both rear and front on the AWD vehicles. Did the mechanic check the differential oil level?.... you mentioned he saw some leakage. I believe the actual worst-case failure mode was all oil leak out and the differential locked up.
It would seem if the rear differential were internally damaged it would still turn with the driveshaft removed. In other words you might not get far.
Just some thoughts!

[SRT ACE]

Originally Posted by n7don_srx

The pinion seal recall applied to MY 04 - 07 and included both rear and front on the AWD vehicles. Did the mechanic check the differential oil level?.... you mentioned he saw some leakage. I believe the actual worst-case failure mode was all oil leak out and the differential locked up.
It would seem if the rear differential were internally damaged it would still turn with the driveshaft removed. In other words you might not get far.
Just some thoughts!

Don, I thought the seal recall only applied to 2005-2007 models. The diff oil level was not checked.

Before I get the order out for the differential I want to rule out the TC. Any other suggestions on how to quickly do this? Or, based on what I've described should it already be ruled out?

With the band-aid approach the only thing to do would be remove both the driveshaft and the rear axles, which I am not keen on doing. Also, I am not sure I know how the transfer case distributes power. I.e. if there were no resistance from the rear wheels would it apply all power to the rear and effectively go nowhere?

Thanks all...
ACE

[The Wrench]

ACE, I can't offer much on the AWD, as I live in Dallas, and have never even known anyone who owned one, other than 4wd jeeps.

My SRX is a 2wd, and the driveshaft is connected with rubber flex disks, looks pretty easy to remove, just bolts and nuts.

I agree with the comments in the post above; drain the diff, see how much comes out, and see if it's full of metal shavings (should be maybe 2 qts or so). If it looks bad, and empty, then you can probably stop looking, you confirmed the problem.

DG

[n7don_srx]

You are correct.... I looked at the recall info on NHTSA's recall site and it only shows 05-07. I had looked at a site hosted on the public library that has the text of TSBs and there was one for the pinion seals on the 04. Namely 07-04-20-003A
I've attached some descriptive info on the transfer case that might be helpful.
Based on the description it's doubtful you could disconnect the rear and just have power to the front since it's a 50/50 split.

[SRT ACE]

Thanks to everyone for the help thus far. Here's a quick update:

I decided I couldn't spend any more time in WY waiting for the part or figuring out what to do with the car. So, yesterday I took a bus to Denver, CO and then a flight home this morning. The plan is to get the car transported home and then finish diagnosing/repairing it with local techs.

Additionally, I have contacted the seller and it seems he will be providing some support (fingers crossed). I'll keep everyone posted...

ACE

[JD2004]

Originally Posted by Habu

Ace:
I think you're kind of stuck till Monday unless you can find a caddy tech in town. there was a caddy dealer in rawlins and another 100 miles to the east in Laramie. After that it's cheyenne or Denver/boulder Colo.
You might try removing the driveshaft just to see if it is in fact the rear diff. there is a thread on this site that explains how the AWD system works. You might look that up and see if you that helps you troubleshoot the problem. I'd be kind of hesitant to drive it with just the front end pulling but I'm really cluless as to the tech details of the AWD system on the SRX. All of my vehicles are 4wd, but all of the others are your basic 4wd system, pretty primitive in comparison. FYI, there is a giant storm system headed your way, you might want to stay where you are anyway. I'm 100mi south of you and they are calling for 1-3 feet with big winds, and trust me, the wind in Wyoming is something else- especially along I80.

I can recommend McCaddon cadillac/GMC in Boulder, CO. Best of luck!