Gen 3 2003 Differential Rebuild??

[Woossh]

Chaps
I need some help. I think I need to get the Differential rebuilt. I have a metallic grinding sound coming from the diff area but only under certain circumstances. When I'm rolling, out of gea,r or with the clutch depressed NO sound. When I have the clutch engaged and applying throttle NO sound. When I have the clutch engaged with no throttle (ie. no thrust being applied) I get a grinding sound. The sound is just like a completely worn brake pad grinding against a disc brake.
As a side note, when driving slow, I also have a lot of back lash. The car "jurkes" and I can get a "clunking" sound.
1) Is this the Differential?
2) If I go for aftermarket parts and get a pro to rebuild which ones should I go for?
I have been reading a lot about Wavetrac, Quaife & Unitrax. All big dollar, $1400 for the Wavetrac and more for the others. When I do a search on "Summitracing" AuburnGear seems to be popular and only in the region of $400-$700…. Are AuburnGear an OK company?
I am going to change the rest of the components also, Full bearing kit, and ring and pinion set. Going to stay with stock ratios, but upgraded material quality.

Am I on the right track? What do you all think about Auburn Gear and are there other manufacturers of a Locker Diffs that I should be looking into in the same price range?

Thanks in advance for any comments or advice.

Rich

 

[cubican]

if I was you call some of the viper salvage yard and get a gen 4 rear end from them.

 

[AZTVR]

Your description does make it sound like a diff issue. However, since you say "The sound is just like a completely worn brake pad grinding against a disc brake," I suggest making sure that it is not a worn out emergency brake inner pad dragging on the rotor. I would think that would make the noise off of the time; but, maybe you have a weird manifestation of this common issue. What you have to ask yourself is, "Do I feel lucky?"



__________________________________________________
Jim – ‘02 GTS ACR gray/silver -- sold – ( enthusiastic custodian for 8 years )

 

[Woossh]

if I was you call some of the viper salvage yard and get a gen 4 rear end from them.

The gen 4 diff? The entire unit? Will it fit? With no mods?

 

[nautoncall]

Not meant to hijack this but I am having the same problem in my 03. At very low speeds I hear a grinding coming from my right rear area. It seems worse when turning hard right. I had a previous 03 that the diff went out at 17k miles. I replaced it with a Gen4 rear that bolted right up. I traded that car for my current one. From prior experience I'd go with a Gen4 or Wavetrac,etc.

My last rear just completely went out one day while hard acceleration. My current car is still driving fine and shifting fine, just has the rear grinding noise at low speeds. Does everyone think it is my rear going out too? I can't tell if I have a whine or anything because I have a very loud exhaust.

Thanks. Good luck Woossh with yours. Be great if both of our problems were something simple and less expensive.

 

[Woossh]

So the gen 4 diff/axle assy bolts right in? Im kinda excited about that. Is the gen 4 more robust? Did your gen 3 drive better with the gen 4 axle in it? How much you pay for your gen 4 replacement axle?

 

[nautoncall]

Gen4 bolts right up. Well, it drove fine. No real difference but I did change to 3.55 gears when I replaced it. I didn't have the car but a couple weeks before the Gen3 rear went out so I can't comment on how it drove.

I got the replacement from Mark Jorgensen at Woodhouse. He had just did an upgrade for someone and had a take out Gen4 that had about 7K miles. I forget what he charged me but it was less than a new one of course.

I contacted him recently about my current situation and he said if I needed to replace to go with a Wavetrac. It's a little expensive but I would not go back with a Gen3 rear. It's a weak link in our cars.

My car only has the grinding sound when I'm turning hard right to say pull in a parking spot with no throttle....just with clutch depressed and coasting in. I went to a parking lot yesterday and did various figure 8's and didn't hear a thing. I"m perplexed.

 

[cubican]

Yes the gen 4 will bolt on no problem and is much better than the gen 3.

 

[voi9]

Has the rear fluid ever been changed?
I think Chuck Tator did mine at like 9 000 mi. or something like that. Did the tranni fluid at the same time.
I also heard that the emergency brake pads do drag alot against the rotors.
Doesnt make sense that the rears on these cars should brake unless there is a history of some violent wheel hop, which happens real easy in the Viper.

 

[Canyon707]

I replaced mine with an OS Giken. The whole rearend thing is a weak link do to its size. The power of the engine far exceeds the strength of the differential and half shafts. Hard launching this car will break things. I have the parts to prove it.

 

[nautoncall]

Yes, I changed my fluid including friction modifier about 100 miles ago. Maybe it's the E brake because it's only when I'm coasting at very low speed into a parking place turning hard right. It's a grinding sound. I haven't launched hard and had no wheel hop. That's what happend in my last Viper. Thanks. Yep....definately a weak link in our cars.

 

[Canyon707]

maybe try and apply the e brake slowly when its making this sound.

 

[Woossh]

anyone got a good running Differential unit from a Gen 4 they want to sell me?

 

[Woossh]

Ok, thanks for help here. Youre gonna laugh at me.... But... I had bitten the bullet. Im gonna go home tonight and take the viper out of commission for a few weeks, drop the diff myself and put in a replacement. Im under the car and noticed that the rear inside parking brake pads are all but gone.... Causing a scraping noise...!!!! Change the pads, no more noise. Still not happy about the back lash in the differential, but am making the most of the car for now....