I think my diff is shot. Took it over to my dad's this weekend and had him drive it. I hear clunking noises coming from the rear. Trans seems to work fine with no shifting problems/no slipping/etc. Axle nut torque fixed, so no clicks from that. left rear outer cv joint replaced earlier this year also. brakes are fine. no suspension problems/arms/knuckles/shafts/etc. all in good shape with no cracks/ no breakage.

After we each drove the car around, we jacked up the back, and put it in gear/gave it some gas, and went 1-3 gears. My dad thinks it is the rear differential.

So, is it hard to rebuild?

I called the dealer today, and asked if it was under warranty. They said it depends on what is wrong with it. I asked if the diagnosis is covered under warranty as well, and they said it depends on what is wrong.

Now this car hasnt been beat to hell, no track time, no clutch drops. I change the fluid twice a year, and usually use mobil1 75w90. However, the last fluid change was royal purple.

Since the dealer won't give me a straight answer, and seems like it would be a bad idea (especially the money they would charge me, plus I kinda can't shell that kinda cash out since I am getting the keys to my house next week), I don't wanna bring it to the dealer.

Any advice or info on repairing it, and the best place to order parts/and/or prices would be ever so helpful.

T.I.A.
Roger

BTW- its a MY02 with about 99k on the odo

 

for meee.

surprised some of the guys who have worked on diffs haven't posted up yet

 

Do you have a warranty with 99k on an 02? If you have the extended 100k warranty drain the royal purple out and flush it a few times with OEM fluid other wise they will balme the "non OEM" fluid. If you don't have a warranty make sure it's the diff and not the CV joints making the noise. If the Diff is shot start looking for a used one and swap it out or pay a mechanic to swap it out. Rebuilding a diff will be very costly and requires a mechanic that has done lot's of ring and pinion set ups to get a correct setup. You can swap it out for less than a rebuild. You may want to upgrade to a new gear like 457 or 477 if you like quicker acceleration. But this will also require shifting earlier and less top end.

 

There are at least 2 used and working (stock) diffs for sale here on the board. Buy one. Swap the new (used) one in and re-build your old one w/ gears and make your $$ back.

Or pay the mechanic doing the swap with your used and broken core diff.

Good Luck.

 

Alright, I have been known to swap a diff or two, even a few on the grass at a race track but

 

A diff swap is easy, I watched it done at Metro Mod Day last year.

From what you described it does sound like you have a bad diff. Your honest to god best bet is to buy a used diff on ebay or s2ki, and then rebuild your current diff as a spare. PM Revhi, he has two diffs sitting in his house.

 

Frank says a diff swap is easy because he WATCHED it.


Next time I need one changed at the track I'm calling Frank.

 

especially on a DD car w/ 99K miles on it. Those driveshaft bolts will be a b!tch.

 

What weight Royal Purple did you use? Other than using the wrong fluid, I cannot imagine you having any cause for diff worry. You know that the sound is coming from the diff exactly, or just somewhere on the rear end? What happened to the wheel bearing theory? It is a lot cheaper, easier, and more likely based on when I talked to you.

 

I think for the royal purple I used 75w90, but I can't remember. As for the wheel bearing, that is on the backburner, but I did order one from Majestic, and I have it so we will see after I figure out the diff/cunks issue. I did take care of the axle nut torque issue as well.....