Diff info

[Elite SS]

G'day Guys, I just bought a 3:46 for the ute, what I'm not sure about is the diff feels a bit stiff, only when driving slow or in reverse, it has a clank to it when driving slow or in a tight lock. like the LSD is locking up, I spoke to the person I bought it off and I was told all 3:46 & 3:71 etc have that noise.
I then spoke to a friend that has 3:73 and he told me that his is quiet. no noise except for the odd whine.
I was also told that it could of been modified (tightened up) for the drags, anyway it doesn't feel right, I just need to know if it's normal or will it cause any major damage for general street use. any info would be great, thanks.

Goran

[BOMI]

I have 3.73's and they have never made that noise.

Id say its tight? But I dont know that much about diffs.

Good luck mate.

Troy :)

[Elite SS]

Thanks Troy, hopefully one of our tech's "sponsers" could give me more info, I just want to know if the diffs in good order so I can replace it before it gets worse, this is the first time I 've changed ratio's in any of my Holdens so it's all new to me...beter to been safe than sorry.

Cheers

[235rwkw]

does it have the additive in it?

[Elite SS]

does it have the additive in it?

Yeah got all that done, 80-140 heavy duty diff oil $ 30 & additive 100 ml $ 70 ( got it fo $ 60 wow...

[BOMI]

Gozz did you buy it privately or from a business?

If you dont wanna sya just PM me orrrrr not :)


Troy

[Elite SS]

I bought it from a business, but for the price of $ 400 there is no warranty, the bloke seemed Ok, another car forum member, owns workshop, I was told it's good otherewise he wouldn't of sold it too me, if it's stuffed I'll get my money back, warranty or No-warranty.

[BOMI]

if it's stuffed I'll get my money back, warranty or No-warranty.


Nice :)

Hopefully its not stuffed.


Troy :)

[555]

My diff is the stock 3.73 found in the standard clubsport manual 6. When I'm turning hard to get out of my car lot, it often makes that clanging noise as you describe.

Now, when my car was at Marranos, Sonny did say in his opinion it was noisy as hell and suggested replacing it with a 3.9. It sounds like you have similar symptoms to me so it could be very possible your diff is knackered. If I was you i'd take it to Sonny and get him to open it up and take a look.

[Sonny@AutoWerks]

Yeah got all that done, 80-140 heavy duty diff oil $ 30 & additive 100 ml $ 70 ( got it fo $ 60 wow...

If you paid $60 or $70 for the additive from GM ,you got the wrong one as the correct additive comes in a black bottle ,with GM label and the cost is $37,the addiitve you got is the crap gm supply in a clear bottle,never works & costs the earth !the diff oil ur using is also way to heavy for that diff,try the castrol sfxa sythetic with the GM additive,this stops the cones binding wen cornering or reversing out of driveways,if this doesnt work,its time for a rebiuld,hope this helps

regards sonny

[seldo]

G'day Guys, I just bought a 3:46 for the ute, what I'm not sure about is the diff feels a bit stiff, only when driving slow or in reverse, it has a clank to it when driving slow or in a tight lock. like the LSD is locking up, I spoke to the person I bought it off and I was told all 3:46 & 3:71 etc have that noise.
I then spoke to a friend that has 3:73 and he told me that his is quiet. no noise except for the odd whine.
I was also told that it could of been modified (tightened up) for the drags, anyway it doesn't feel right, I just need to know if it's normal or will it cause any major damage for general street use. any info would be great, thanks.

Goran

It isn't uncommon to have the noises you describe, and in fact it just signifies that you have a good tight LSD. The noise is caused by the LSD cones biting and then letting go and you will only hear it when going very slowly. It can be...(I was going to say "fixed", but "reduced" or "masked" are probably better words) by either adding a special additive to the oil or in extreme circumstances re-shimming the diff so there is less pre-load on it. But with both of these "solutions" what you are really doing is reducing the efficacy of your LSD. So, I suppose the short story is that there is nothing "wrong" with your diff and by making the noise go away you'll be reducing the efficacy of your LSD...Make your choice - silence or traction...:confused:

[Elite SS]

Thanks for the help guys, my biggest concern was that it was in good save condition...the small defect doesn't worry me that much..as long as it doesn't lock up on me at 109 kl/h (170 kl/h track)
I might drop in to Sonny's and get him to have a look at it for anyway...
the 3:46 works quiet well for what I intended it for (Freeway mostly).

Thanks again

Goran

[Elite SS]

If you paid $60 or $70 for the additive from GM ,you got the wrong one as the correct additive comes in a black bottle ,with GM label and the cost is $37,the addiitve you got is the crap gm supply in a clear bottle,never works & costs the earth !the diff oil ur using is also way to heavy for that diff,try the castrol sfxa sythetic with the GM additive,this stops the cones binding wen cornering or reversing out of driveways,if this doesnt work,its time for a rebiuld,hope this helps

regards sonny

Ok I'm Back
After the Help every one gave me, one of Sonny...I rang HSV and I asked them about the Diff additive that they gave me, so hear it goes.

I phoned them and they asked for the part No. of the oil, I gaved it to them over the phone and they told me it was the wrong oil, an if I bring the car in that they will fully replace the diff oil, oil and additive, (being a regular for small purchases get a bit of sarcasm from one of the staff every time I go there.) I walk into the place and the manager see's to me I explain whats going on...and then a change of heart (Thats Heartland for you) I got the 2 lite's of oil (diff oil) but I WILL HAVE TO PRCHASE THE Addative onother $70.
I was advised (this is good) that the diff oil I used is not compatable to their additive and that they will take no responsability for anything that happens to the diff...as I should of purchased the oils from them.(Oil purchased Castrol Synthetic LSD 80 /140) when I told them the oil I used was the one recommended, I was told to get my info from a better source and not the
LS 1 Forum.
I told him that he sent me down because they made the error, but now the oil they gave me the Clear bottled one IS the correct one. and the black additive is for Holden Rodeos and not for SS commodores.
So guys double check anything you need to buy of these guys regardkess of reciepts you loose...

[BOMI]

Thanks for the info Goran, that sucks that you had spend the extra money. But in the end the main thing is that your diff is correctly lubed up and is not making any weird noises.


Troy :)

[Sonny@AutoWerks]

Ok I'm Back
After the Help every one gave me, one of Sonny...I rang HSV and I asked them about the Diff additive that they gave me, so hear it goes.

I phoned them and they asked for the part No. of the oil, I gaved it to them over the phone and they told me it was the wrong oil, an if I bring the car in that they will fully replace the diff oil, oil and additive, (being a regular for small purchases get a bit of sarcasm from one of the staff every time I go there.) I walk into the place and the manager see's to me I explain whats going on...and then a change of heart (Thats Heartland for you) I got the 2 lite's of oil (diff oil) but I WILL HAVE TO PRCHASE THE Addative onother $70.
I was advised (this is good) that the diff oil I used is not compatable to their additive and that they will take no responsability for anything that happens to the diff...as I should of purchased the oils from them.(Oil purchased Castrol Synthetic LSD 80 /140) when I told them the oil I used was the one recommended, I was told to get my info from a better source and not the
LS 1 Forum.
I told him that he sent me down because they made the error, but now the oil they gave me the Clear bottled one IS the correct one. and the black additive is for Holden Rodeos and not for SS commodores.
So guys double check anything you need to buy of these guys regardkess of reciepts you loose...


Goran,

Dont listen to them,the stuff in the clear bottle is not wat you want to use,the stuff in the black bottle is the stuff you want,the stuff in the clear bottles does nothing and cost the earth,all my diffs get the stuff in the black bottle,never had an issue,for legal reasons that i cant reveal here,the stuff in the white bottle is defeantly not the stuff :)

regards sonny

[Elite SS]

Ok Sonny whats the best way to go...I've got 2 litres of Holdens Diff oil already should I just buy the additive and drain my (new) old oil out and start again..or should I stay with what I've got for now, or until it starts to get too noisy.
Also how good is their OWN (Holden) Diff oil. can I trust it.

Cheers

Goran

[Sonny@AutoWerks]

Ok Sonny whats the best way to go...I've got 2 litres of Holdens Diff oil already should I just buy the additive and drain my (new) old oil out and start again..or should I stay with what I've got for now, or until it starts to get too noisy.
Also how good is their OWN (Holden) Diff oil. can I trust it.

Cheers

Goran

Goran,

Sorry mate i only saw this post,the best thing to do is flush the diff oil,get urself some of that additive in the black bottle with blue label,put that in along with some castrol sfxa las sythetic diff oil,if its still noisy after that,you have a problem.

regards sonny

[Elite SS]

Thanks for your reply Sonny..the diff appears ok for now, except for tonight, I gave it a boot fuul off teh lights anbd I could smell the diff oil, pretty bad too, otherwise it's pretty quiet.

Cheers

Goran