[haute_heir]

I have noticed a couple new noises in my car that are starting to get to me, and wondering if anyone has had to deal with one of them, or if its just normal...

I notice when im in traffic, puttering along in first then stopping, there is a funny clunky noise when Im in first gear. As soon as I engage the clutch there is a rattle somewhere underneath my car. I especially notice this when Im in parking lots and your in in first gear but have to engage the clutch to go over a speed bump but you still have the car in first gear.

Another noise is from the rear end, Im thinking bearings maybe, it howls like none other back there and its getting worse by the day. It sounds like an aeroplane going 60mph and only gets louder the faster i go.

Anyone offering advise? or is this another meaningless, undelightful trip to the service department again for me?

 

[Mbai2]

The clunk noise I don't know about. Does it sound like it is coming from the rear or the transmission?

The howling means your differential is going bad and needs to be replaced. By now, almost all Cadillac dealers are aware of this problem and will replace it with no questions asked.

 

[TripleOught]

this is really making me start to wonder about my rear differential...especially having such an early build date.

does this howl generally occur under certain conditions? ie acceleration, braking, letting your foot off the gas and coasting?

 

[Mbai2]

this is really making me start to wonder about my rear differential...especially having such an early build date.
does this howl generally occur under certain conditions? ie acceleration, braking, letting your foot off the gas and coasting?

Mine happened under light acceleration or maintaining speeds on highways.

 

[70eldo]

An aeroplane going 60Mph? That would be taxiing or an ultralight? hahaha

How about a heat deflector of the exhaust that resonates???

 

[B Hoth]

Yes, chances are the resonator shield has come apart at the weld and rattles under certian RPM's or the exhaust might be making a slight contact to a part of the underbody. The howl at the rear is more then likely a rear dif going south. Have the dealer check out the dif, the exhaust can be looked at by them as well, or if you can't wait a good muffler shop can take a look for the rettle. These issue's have been posted here before and there's a good chance thats your issues. Goog Luck.

 

[haute_heir]

Thanks for the response! I listened a little more closely to the knocking noise when im clutching, and indeed it sounds like an exhaust issue.

As for the howling, it does it no matter what the conditions, but its virtually un-noticable until you hit about 50mph then the faster you go the louder it howls, when I slow down from those speeds, so does the howl...

 

[B Hoth]

Sounds like one of the Bearings is going south and possible some gear wear as well. If it's as loud as you say, it should be an easy diagnosis and covered under warranty. A full inspection is definitly in order. Good Luck and remind them that this is a problem that has been on going since the model first came out.

 

[AmericanMuscle]

When you find out what it is, please do post the answer here.

Anyone who has had a rear diff. go south - What did the service tech say were the parts involved? The cause? What to look for ahead of time before you hear the howl?

I have read on this forum that most of the failures were with relatively low mileage. I have 27K on my '04 and wonder if it is OK or am I just on borrrowed time.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lawful]

I had the noise, what I thought was the rear end. I took my 03 CTS to the Dealership and they found it was a right front hub bearing. They replaced it and the noise went away. I was sure that it was the rear end, after reading so much on this site and knowing the problems with the CTS.