Diff clunk question

[pimpjuice]

Hi all,

This question has been asked before yes but I have another question which doesnt seem to have been covered. I do seem to have the diff clunk apparent, with the mild thud before stop and 3 to 4 thud.

Question is, I have aftermarket warranty on the car. It states in the booklet it covers " crown wheel and pinion contained within the differential hemisphere" up to a cost of $1700. Will this diff fix be part of what warranty covers?

I have also read something about a clip and only taking about 2 hours labour to fix it. I jsut want to prevent any future issues with this that may happen.

Thanks in advance

Chris

[VYMAD]

Dunno bout whats covered for you but i started a thread a few weeks ago on this issue, it was all over this site ages ago but i can't find much now through searching. If you do get it fixed mate pleeeese post up how you went with it as mine aint under warranty and i want to take it to someone saying "this is what's wrong, can you fix it please?" without getting ripped off like holden used to do for this same issue. thanx in advance. Oh yeah and i had an after market crap warranty once that stated "specifically excludes drive shafts". Those things can be a pain the ring mate hey, but good luck!!!

[Jbird]

hmm my vy does it aswell, but ive swaped my diff over 3 times

when ever i put my car into gear it clucks from the diff, but it sounds like as if somthing wasnt screwed on properly

[Ozzie]

hmm my vy does it aswell, but ive swaped my diff over 3 times

when ever i put my car into gear it clucks from the diff, but it sounds like as if somthing wasnt screwed on properly

You sure its your diff and not just a worn uni-joint?

[VYMAD]

It was on this site a while ago now as a common fault with vy diff. Holden were charging $1000+ and saying it was a full diff rebuild when it's really just a couple of curclips or something. I checked my uni's hoping that was the prob but no such luck.

[VYMAD]

COME ON! People, some one must remember all this being covered or have actually had theirs fixed. I fear Holden dealers like the plague so who or where have people successfully taken theirs? It would date back to around '04/'05 maybe even '06 when these diffs started playing up and there is more than one VY nut that would love to rectify this simple problem without being ripped off.

[pimpjuice]

VYMAD im in the same boat. My diff isnt horrible its just not how it should be. I did a search and there is something about a clip or something inside being an easy fix or something.

Its the 3rd to 4th clunk that drives me nuts the most. Dads VT when he bought it new did it. But he doesnt know jack about cars and did nothign about it.

[greggold]

Ive got the diff clunk issue, (sorry to repeat the info below) in my Berlina (2003, VY 1) sedan (132 000 km). After reading lots of posts and searches in this forum, I think it is differential backlash. (If anyone disagrees, please let me know). I took the car to my regular dealer several times in the last year, they have told me in effect do not worry about it, even though I have said the noise is unacceptable and frightens the passengers. They hinted maybe its time to trade it in, which has to mean dumping the problem on someone else.

They said the diff would have to be replaced, around $1000, and even then the noise might continue. Can anyone explain that for me? (If its due to a faulty diff, surely a new diff would fix it ??).

Could a fix of the noise not require a total replacement of the diff?

Are there diff specialists or service places that can handle this problem?



Noise Characteristics.

Noise is clunk or thump, repeated regularly like something is revolving, but rotation speed and noise frequency may be slow, fast, or changing (noise suggests differential backlash to a mechanic that heard it). Once it starts it may become very loud and is audible by people standing on the footpath.

The noise never occurs over 60 km, or while car is in 3rd or 4th gear on motorway (even when turning hard on the off ramp)

The noise typically appears at low speed on a hill, when the car is searching for 2nd or 1st gear, and is much more likely when motor is revving slowly (ie light foot on accelerator). If you speed up over 60 km the noise always disappears. It may be more common on sharp bends or roundabouts. If you drive the car briskly keeping engine revs up you may avoid the noise altogether.

To the driver the noise appears behind you. I sat in the middle of the back seat while the car was driven slowly, and I thought the noise was under me, or slightly behind me. It did not appear louder on the right or left side.

The noise has become more frequent, and can always be induced for a demonstration.

[greggold]

Thanks to Georgehifi and Vymad (and justcommodore) for the explanation of the differential thump noise from the rear of my car. See the post

Common vy diff fault

Common vy diff fault


I too was told by my holden dealer that the only solution is a $1000 diff rebuild. I was told by my dealer it is "differential backlash" which may be a fictional condition, ie it does not exist. It seems GM in their 2005 memo identified the issue as "rear axle cyclic knock" and posted a solution in the technical memo to dealers that Georgehifi posted. A recall of all cars built with the fault was not done.

Why has my dealer not told me the problem was rear axle cyclic knock? Why did they not mention it is a known problem with VYs? I plan to ask my dealer these questions, taking a copy of the 2005 memo with me.

I still do not know how to fix it, but this looks like progress.

[pimpjuice]

Hey greg

Cool update.

I noticed the up in the rev thingo, but the only annoying thing is the thud to 4th gear.

[greggold]

The noise in my differential described in my previous post may either be differential backlash or cyclic rear axle knock; I have talked about this with various people including a mechanical engineer and it is not clear which is the more likely. So I have decided to get a differential and axle specialist service shop to have a go at repair, I am booked in 12 May. I have been warned it will likely cost $900.

[VYFORI]

Would this help sole it alittle axle tramp using Nothalane crossmember mount...
after 150000km i have started to notice this aswell.. 3rd to 4th......

Redranger Nolathane for longer life suspension systems

RIK...