Cadillac STS-V Series ForumForum specifically for Cadillac STS-V series discussions. With 469 horsepower, this is the most powerful production Cadillac ever made.
Cadillac Forums: What is it about the rear ends, in these ?
Sorry for the rant, but I had a 2004 CTS-V that went through 2 rear ends and left puddles of rear end differential fluid all over my garage. Cleaned it all up, turned in the car, got an STS-V 6 months ago and have NOT beat on the car at all, well when compared to the CTS-V.
Anyway, with 6k miles, I have a new puddle of rear end diff fluid on my garage floor...WTF ??
I did not do a search, but are these the same rear ends that were in the CTS-V ??? Are there known issues with these rear ends as well ??
Damn, I can't believe it..For some reason, I just assumed they worked out the bugs in the rear ends of these cars...
Just an update to the saga.....
Made an appointment for the stealership. Told them what was happening, they indicated they had it covered,knew all about the leaks, just bring it in.
Also. I neglected to mention another issue in the thread that is bothering me. Car has a loud vibration coming from the cat converter. Very loud
when it is cold, but tones down a bit once hot.
Anyway, today I get a call (after 2 days at the shop) to come get my car. They ordered a 'rear end kit' for the multiple leaks they found, and
a new cat converter as mine evidentially collapsed the internals ??? I have to drop the car off for another day, when the parts arrive.
Anyone hear of a cat converter that has to be replaced after 6k miles ?? And if they were aware of the rear end leaks from these cars, why didn't they
just have the kits on the shelves ?
They don't build the cars "knowing" about the issues.
When something like the diff leak comes up they do an investigation to find the cause. They found it a couple months ago, re-engineered a new design part and found a supplier to manufacture them, had some made, added them to their parts catalog and made orders to get stock in the distribution centers and got some to fill the shelves then released a bulletin, now they are preparing for a recall. I am not sure where that makes them negligent, by doing everything they can to rectify this problem. You can't make 300,000 seal kits overnight.
I am getting so tired of people bashing GM because of something a subcontractor did I can't even describe what I am feeling at this point.
Yes I have heard of converters needing early replacement, probably due to a manufacturing issue as well.
Also, GM does have plenty of these parts "on the shelves" but GM dealers have to pay big money to keep
GM parts sitting around waiting for you to need one. Most of this is controlled by computers that keep track of items that are actually sold. Since these new parts have never been sold... because they are a NEW design, your dealer may not have any on hand. They can overnight them or get them within a couple of days from their parts distribution centers. I am sure within the next few weeks they will have plenty.
Just because you don't know the answers doesn't mean everyone that works for GM or a dealership is a slacker.
Relax and let your dealer handle it the best they can, I am sure they are making every effort to resolve your issues. If not, then find another dealer that will.
__________________ Views expressed by the author of this post do not necessarily represent those of the Lindsay Automotive Group.
Although I can agree with the premise of your response, the fact that I worked for GM car assembly division for 15 years, coupled with the two 'whole' rear ends I went through on the 2004 CTS-V, must be what has me frustrated. I know a little more about cars than most, and I loved the CTS-V in spite of the wheel hop and run around I got for 2 rear ends. With
all that I bought the STS-V.
For some reason, I just assumed Cadillac would have figured out by now, the 'weak link' in these cars IS the rear end. Both rear ends come from the same supplier (I believe).
How long do you rub coal hoping their is a diamond in there somewhere. If I were Cadillac, I would have either switch suppliers by now, or re-engineered an obvious POS, but what do I know.
How long do you rub coal hoping their is a diamond in there somewhere. If I were Cadillac, I would have either switch suppliers by now, or re-engineered an obvious POS, but what do I know.
They have already, it's in the 09 CTS-V
Not near as many rears defunk in the STS-V as the 1st Gen CTS-V. The pinion seal issue sounds specific to a bad supplier and I seriously doubt GM will just eat this whole thing for them without making them pay in one form or another. As far as doing something new for the rears in the 1st gen CTS-V I just don't see that happening. GM is better off biding their time and replacing those that fail under warranty until each car no longer has a warranty to cover it vs the cost of a complete redesign and recall on a limited production vehicle. Certainly a wink link in the 1st gen design, but hopefully a lesson learned and solved in the 2nd generation that's coming. We'll see.
--Automobile Magazine, May 2004
Jesda got you hooked up. 
.....lol...
