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HORRIBLE bashing noise from rear end. DIFF?

Danc91

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Hey all so i've only had my 2011 SS Ute for about a month now and this morning when i was driving to work i was hearing the car making LOUD clunking/banging noises coming from the rear when going around round abouts and turning and feeling like the whole back right wheel was moving and something locking up then it got worse and was doing it while driving slowly in a straight line and while taking off from a stop, the whole rear of the car felt like it was jumping and locking up the noise was scary... anyway i ended up taking it around the corner to the closest mechanic to where i was working and of course it made the noise several times in their car park so loud that they came out the front and thought i hit something, they think it could be a driveshaft or the diff has snapped a tooth or something going by what they heard, one of the mechanics said the whole back wheel moved and jumped whole i was showing them what it was doing so i've left it there and hoping its the cheaper option... if however it is the diff and i need a new one im asking an opinion on if i should get a new one or a second hand or a recod one, im unsure of the price differences and my best choice since i have only just bought the car and may have it for some time im guessing a second hand one could be risky? off the top of the guys head he said a new one could be about $1000 for the diff? does that sound right? thanks
 

dgp

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First you need to establish what is broken and just doing that is going to cost you money in labour.
You used to be able to pick up brand new Holden diffs from Holmart for about $1700, I just looked and they only have the HSV 3.27:1 at $2500, or a 2.92:1 Stateman for $1600. You haven’t said if your Ute is auto/manual, V6 or V8’s, this will make a difference to the one you need.
If it is your diff, you can generally pick up genuine gear sets for around $800, then have a competent diff specialist, rebuilt your original. It might cost the same as a new diff, but you can have the clutch packs set properly if it’s an LSD and it will be heaps better.
Could be broken suspension/mounts, or driveshaft too.
https://www.holmart.com.au/commodore-parts/commodore-ve/ve-series-ii/?pgnum=3
 

Danc91

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First you need to establish what is broken and just doing that is going to cost you money in labour.
You used to be able to pick up brand new Holden diffs from Holmart for about $1700, I just looked and they only have the HSV 3.27:1 at $2500, or a 2.92:1 Stateman for $1600. You haven’t said if your Ute is auto/manual, V6 or V8’s, this will make a difference to the one you need.
If it is your diff, you can generally pick up genuine gear sets for around $800, then have a competent diff specialist, rebuilt your original. It might cost the same as a new diff, but you can have the clutch packs set properly if it’s an LSD and it will be heaps better.
Could be broken suspension/mounts, or driveshaft too.
https://www.holmart.com.au/commodore-parts/commodore-ve/ve-series-ii/?pgnum=3
Ok was hoping they were a little cheaper than that so fingers crossed its not the issue, just got this post up to find out the best way to go about it so i know what to tell the mechanic when they most likely ring me up tomorrow with the problem they have found, its a V8 Auto thanks
 

Danc91

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Also i should add the car is stuck in bacchus marsh where i was working today and i do not live there so im unsure of any diff specialists around that area, i left it there hoping they fix it instead of towing it home 40 mins away
 

dgp

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So I think VE V8’s auto utes had 2.92:1 or 3.27:1, someone will correct me if I’m wrong. If the diff is toast, you should think about possibly changing to a shorter ratio to get more get up and go, it’s addictive though and you will need your diff ratio changed via tuning software, so you may as well get OTR and tune, there’s another $1500, see, addictive.
GMM are in Melton, not far from Bachus, Phonsey has a lot of runs on the board dealing with these cars.
Others might chime in with other options for specialists.
It’s hard though, to have to try and make these decisions quickly now that things have gone wrong.
Even standard drive shafts are about $600-$800??
 

Danc91

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So I think VE V8’s auto utes had 2.92:1 or 3.27:1, someone will correct me if I’m wrong. If the diff is toast, you should think about possibly changing to a shorter ratio to get more get up and go, it’s addictive though and you will need your diff ratio changed via tuning software, so you may as well get OTR and tune, there’s another $1500, see, addictive.
GMM are in Melton, not far from Bachus, Phonsey has a lot of runs on the board dealing with these cars.
Others might chime in with other options for specialists.
It’s hard though, to have to try and make these decisions quickly now that things have gone wrong.
Even standard drive shafts are about $600-$800??
Ok thanks so you're suggesting if It has 2.92 Then going for the 3.27 is better but probably an extra $2500 with the difference on parts price and a tune? I really really hope it's not the diff I haven't even driven the car 1000kms yet since I bought it, hoping the last owner didn't know something was about to go and got rid of it. The mechanic said the last driveshaft he done not long ago was $500 but unsure if that would be the same for my car. Yeah Melton isn't too far away. With it sitting at the mechanic and me not living there I hope there's am easy solution. Don't know if the mechanic would rip it out and send it to Melton to be repaired and recod. They were saying I could courier one from the wreckers to them or they could source a new one. Guess I'll find out more tomorrow and seems like a big decision if it turns out to be the diff
 

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I am in Melton and have had a couple of cars done at GMM. No complaints but $$ is up there.
You can try Borgies in Melton for a diff as they usually have a few brand new ones.
 

MrBags

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I also agree that if you need to re tune for ratio change you may aswell go OTR at the same time if the budget allows.
 

Danc91

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I am in Melton and have had a couple of cars done at GMM. No complaints but $$ is up there.
You can try Borgies in Melton for a diff as they usually have a few brand new ones.
Ok thanks I still haven't had a call from the mechanic what the issue is yet so guess they haven't looked at it yet. Fingers are still crossed it's not the diff but it's a good chance it is so not looking forward to their call. Was happy to keep the Ute stock for a while since I've only just bought it so unsure if I'll buy the same ratio diff and do a straight swap or go down the other path and spend thousands more. Still dunno what diff mine would have in it right now. Going by the holmart website it says ve ss are 2.92 and the hsvs are the 3.27 or whatever. Could be wrong but there's a big price difference I might have to ring up the place you said and compare
 

losh1971

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Its not just the tailshaft is it?
 
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