Bad Day - Diff's dying

[impVXR888]

Well my initial thoughts are that my diff has lost oil and has cooked itself. 😢

It's fine in a straight line, but very clunky on slow speed turns.

I'm going to nurse it to WP on Friday for them to have a quick look.
Options if it's gone, that I can think of.....
1. New complete unit?
2. Wavetrac Diff and rebuild current unit with new bearings possibly cheaper?

Anyone any suggestions or ideas please let me know.

Isaac

[mik_ok]

2 will definitely be cheaper.

Foxdie did this recently.

[impVXR888]

Having had three quotes for a new one, I have a feeling that option 2 will be cheaper.

Just need to price it up today, to see how much by.

[mik_ok]

Foxdie quoted prices HERE

Link added via a mobile device - hopefully it still works.

[r-kid]

I don't know how this compares to the prices you've been quoted but Holmart have diffs on offer this month (<£900):

http://www.holmart.com.au/online/prod209.htm

Obviously shipping & import taxes to be added as well.

[H5V VE]

you could always try one of the breakers?

[FoxdieUK]

2500 miles later, still strong, even after another drift session

The guys that did mine didn't get back to me unfortunately on which exact bearings they bought, but any reputable gearbox / diff rebuild shop should be able to do it. The only problem was shims, they may need custom manufacturing or at least grinding down a set of regular ones (I think I needed 4 in the end, one ground down to fit).

If it helps get you sorted, I have a spare diff I could be persuaded to let go, it's disassembled at the moment and consists of the following;

• Diff casing = Immaculate
• Crown wheel = Immaculate
• Pinion wheel = Slightly rounded at the tips but perfectly reusable, the rounding will cause a faint whine when cruising at 60-65 MPH but doesn't affect operation, the one I put back in my car had slightly worse rounding and the faint whine is negligible
• LSD center = Absolutely chocolate. Not fit for reuse without major work.
• Bearings = Presuming the metal flecks haven't damaged them, chances are they could be cleaned up and reused, but for the sake of additional 20-30 quid I highly urge you to replace them for longevity and peace-of-mind
• Shims = All missing, scavenged to make my diff
• Bolts = All present and ready for reuse

You could use this to build a replacement diff and then do a straight swap, keeping your car on the road for as long as possible and costs down. All of the above will need to go into a wash to get rid of all the oil / grease / metal flecks that have built up before reuse, any reputable rebuild firm will most likely do this as a matter of practice.

Drop me an email if you want it.

Ps. Not saying this to hurry you into a decision, just as fellow owner friendly advice, I had roughly 3 days between when the problem was mild until I couldn't turn any corner without back-shaking banging, here's a handful of videos I made demonstrating the problem;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJVYfIrhdzs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYjwE2AzGSc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zFcAF3CFI

[ARAF]

r-kid said:

I don't know how this compares to the prices you've been quoted but Holmart have diffs on offer this month (<£900):

http://www.holmart.com.au/online/prod209.htm

Obviously shipping & import taxes to be added as well.

The tall guy doesn't post here at the moment, but we can still heed what he has previously written...

ringram said:

People never listen.. The Camaro diff is a direct replacement and costs about £800 with gears, diff and housing etc brand new.
Not sure why you would want to pay 150% more for a weaker diff...?

ringram said:

Info for those who are unsure what Google is for

http://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-g8-2008-09-chevr...

[Xpuffin]

OP your diff sounds like its working normally to me.
Bit of friction modifier in there should solve the clunks.

[ArnieVXR]

Guessing the VXR8 diff is not the same as the one for the Ro?

[ARAF]

ArnieVXR said:

Guessing the VXR8 diff is not the same as the one for the Ro?

Different, and from what I've read, it even uses a different system for slipping.

[Behold81]

But only works on a r8. Shame the camari diff is not Monaro compatible.

[mik_ok]

Camaro diff has a different final drive ratio to oem vxr8, and I've yet to see a link to someone selling them?

[R8OMG]

Every now and again I heard a clunk when moving forward after reversing. I changed the diff oil and is has been fine since.

[impVXR888]

Thanks all,
I'll be ordering a new diff I think and then will rebuild my current diff with a Wavetrac in it. Then replace when I have time.

I have today mastered the art of cornering while depressing the clutch. Which means the diff then doesn't catch. It's not fun, but it got me 200 miles home via WP. So I'm happy, car will sit it out until the diff arrives now.

[EssexVXR8]

What about this http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Scree...

[raving]

What ratio are you running

[snowwolf]

Sorry to hear about the diff probs Isaac, hope you get it sorted ok, had it lists it's oil ?

[FoxdieUK]

Seems like I spoke too soon, appears one of the bearings have collapsed, Paul @ MF found this during its service (just goes to show how thorough they are, bravo!);

http://youtu.be/GO19ERFrE-g

[impVXR888]

Just seen your video upload. Any idea why it's failed so soon after the rebuild?

I've got a spare car to use until January, so it's not as urgent as it was, so I'm weighing up a few different options now.

So keen to see how the Wavetrac option turns out.