[markophoto]

I just bought a 2007 GXP with only 4,700 miles on it. That's right 4,700. The car even still smells new. I did a lot of research on the forum before making the purchase and did check the diff for any leaks which I didn't see any. I also checked with GM who told me that there were no open tickets on the vehicle so it looks like the pinion seal work was done but they can't verify if the additive was put in. During the test drive I did not notice any noise from the rear end but now I hear a low "rubbing" or groaning type of noise. I guess I have the common differential problem. My question is what should I do next? Should I have the fluid swapped out and see if that helps? Also what other maintenance should I perform considering that it's been sitting idle most of it's life? I kind of feel bad about making this garage queen my almost daily driver but that's my plan. I hope to keep her looking and running great for a long time to come.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Mark

 

[markophoto]

Sorry for the double post. There seems to have been some lag on my first post showing up which prompted me to post again.

 

[GODROD]

First of all welcome to the forum. Many will chime in that are way more qualified than I and besides the usual whining noise at times I do not have your problem. Also don't feel bad about driving it. I applaud that. These stallions must RUN! Try doing a search on "differential" you will see many posts. I rarely use the browser and use the IPad Ap but many say to use the google search on one of the corners of the browser page that search is better than thee Autoguide search. Good luck with your fix.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[markophoto]

GODROD,
Thanks for the feedback. I have done a lot of reading on the subject but most conversations refer to the recall and some touch on doing a fluid change to possibly correct a problem with the clutch packs but I'm not sure what course to take first.

 

[BellaVerde]

Just for the sake of it, I'll spin the wheel a little. The dif sounds are fairly common. Your research is thorough. An honest mechanic can get you sorted out concerning seriousness of the situation.

Here's the new stuff. Someone makes a Limited Slip Differential replacement that is not clutched, but geared. It looks like a miniature differential! KKKKKOSTLY! But it does better on equalizing the power output to the wheels and doesn't rely on friction to work. I have forgotten the maker but will try to find out. Oh, all my info comes from the promo vid at the mechanics garage.

 

[chickenwire]

Welcome Mark!

Yep - from what I've read here a fluid swap and additive would be a good first step.

I drain and replace all fluids on anything I buy used just for peace of mind.

 

[markberg]

I just bought a 2007 GXP with only 4,700 miles on it. That's right 4,700. The car even still smells new. I did a lot of research on the forum before making the purchase and did check the diff for any leaks which I didn't see any. I also checked with GM who told me that there were no open tickets on the vehicle so it looks like the pinion seal work was done but they can't verify if the additive was put in. During the test drive I did not notice any noise from the rear end but now I hear a low "rubbing" or groaning type of noise. I guess I have the common differential problem. Mark

I also had that problem. I bought a 2006 in Sept of 2012 with 4,700 miles also. I didn't notice the noise, but on a 150 mile drive I was getting the noise during coast in cruise control. It had no noise on acceration or decceration. Took it to dealer to check out. They drained the fuild and it was FULL of metal particles!!! I had a new carrier installed for like 2700. But I get a 12 month 12,000 warrenty

 

[markophoto]

Thanks for the help though I don't even want to entertain the thought of a new diff at this point. It has a Carmax warranty but not sure I even want them to mess with it.

 

[markophoto]

Here's the update. I had the fluid drained, driven for 10 minutes making mostly turns, drained again and refilled with the additive included. This seems to have cleared up the problem. The dealer said that it could take a couple of days to work but the noise was gone by the time I got back to my office. I do still have a slight clunk when either putting the rear end under load or taking it off as in letting off of the gas. I'm not too worried about that though. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[rob the elder]

Good news. Glad you got it fixed

Many people are not used to sitting so close to the gear boxes and hearing them.

 

[Geologger]

Diff noise

All of this made me think: I have been complaining about rear-end noise after installing a new pair of tires this spring - Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport - and had hoped that the noise would disappear as the tires wore in. No luck. Rather than a whine it is more of rumbling sound. Any comments?

 

[GMCustomerSvc]

markophoto,

If you have any more concerns or questions please do not hesitate to reach out. We can certainly assist you to the best of our ability.

Erica Tiffany
GM Customer Care

 

[markophoto]

All of this made me think: I have been complaining about rear-end noise after installing a new pair of tires this spring - Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport - and had hoped that the noise would disappear as the tires wore in. No luck. Rather than a whine it is more of rumbling sound. Any comments?

The noise I was having was only during tight slow turns as in parking maneuvers and not at speed. Are you hearing the noise in a straight line?

 

[markophoto]

markophoto,

If you have any more concerns or questions please do not hesitate to reach out. We can certainly assist you to the best of our ability.

Erica Tiffany
GM Customer Care

Thanks so much. I'm really enjoying the car even more so now.

 

[GMCustomerSvc]

markophoto,

That is great news.

Erica Tiffany
GM Customer Care

 

[Geologger]

Marko: the sound comes in at between 40 and 50 kph (say 30 mph) and slowly gets less from about 80 kph on (say 50 mph). Straight line, corners, all conditions. Very annoying.

 

[markophoto]

Marko: the sound comes in at between 40 and 50 kph (say 30 mph) and slowly gets less from about 80 kph on (say 50 mph). Straight line, corners, all conditions. Very annoying.

Sounds like a different issue. My problem was only during turns.

 

[TecSolOnt]

Check the threads on changing out the diff fluid. I tried the GM fix (there is a TSB on the noise issue) and it lasted 2500 miles and the noise came back. My car is a 2006 with about 25000 miles on it. It's only driven in the summer and not a daily driver. The guys at GM replaced the fluid and had a special friction additive to add to it after going thru a routine that the TSB describes. I have now replaced the diff fluid again with Royal Purple 75W/90 Max Gear, noise is gone.

For me it was always posi traction chatter at low speeds , tight turns at around 5 mph, usually in parking lots, really noisy , aggravating. Only time will tell if the Royal Purple fluid is a fix longer term but so far so good. Others have had good response from their diffs with this stuff including various GM lines of cars that use the same diff. Good news with this type of noise is there likely isn't damage being done to the internals of the diff, just the clutches of the posi traction binding. There wasn't much in the way of metal filings in my fluid when it has been changed by both GM and now with the Royal Purple. When your sitting on the axle basically I think it makes the noise much more noticeable in the Solstice than in most cars. Cross my fingers the Royal Purple stuff keeps the noise away.