Differential break in procedure

ROYCAR71

MEMBER
2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
5.3L
2WD
202,244 MILES

I just replaced differential and wheel axles, rings, seals. They told me " to drive it for about 60 or 600 miles and bring back for oil flush." When making turns I can feel vibration and hear grinding under vehicle. Turns feel tight initially driving then smooth out. Is this how new differential sounds and behaves during break in procedure?

Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 9:11 AM

9 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Good afternoon,

No, it is not. It should be smooth and no noise at all.

If you hear noise, grinding and it feels tight, something is not set right. Take it back now and have them repair there issue.

There is no break in time for this repair. It should be perfect from the start just like when the car was new.

Roy

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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 9:51 AM

ROYCAR71

MEMBER
359 POSTS

I took back after driving for 500 miles and got a flush to keep my warranty intact with them. They told me "they put in an additive to stop the noise." As of now, I do not hear any friction when turning. My concern is, is this temporary or permanent.

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 4:49 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

The additive is temporary. It puts a coating on the clutches and will stop the shuttering when corning.

When it wears off, the noise will continue. Did they replace the clutches as part of the overhaul?

Roy

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 6:34 PM

ROYCAR71

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These are parts they replaced along with receipt.

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 9:14 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Okay, did they flush out the differential of all the metal and in the tubes as well?

I would have replaced the cattier assembly with all that metal.

They replaced all those parts and did not replace the yoke when it had signs of wear? That is not right. They should have done it at that time.

I do not think they went far enough to fix the issue.

Roy

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Thursday, October 1st, 2020 AT 1:21 AM

ROYCAR71

MEMBER
359 POSTS

Hmm, the mechanic did say that the yoke seem a little grinded but, it was okay to use to save me money. They did tell me to drive 500 miles to bring back to flush which I did. They did not say anything about a cattier assembly being replaced. Do you think it could be the yoke that makes a vibrating sound when I make corner turns? Is there an oil fitting that I can put on/in yoke in meantime? I am thinking of taking it somewhere else for second opinion. Thanks.

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Friday, October 2nd, 2020 AT 1:45 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

I would definitely get a second opinion.

I know it is about economics but if that yoke is scored, it can cause damage to all the new parts.

As far as the vibration, it could cause it if it is not torqued correctly. It has to be tightened to a specific torque.

Roy

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Friday, October 2nd, 2020 AT 1:50 PM

ROYCAR71

MEMBER
359 POSTS

Okay, I did get a second opinion at Pep Boys. They told me they needed to open differential and wasn't supposed to run like this. I took back truck which repairs were done and was under warranty they fixed problem. As of now the truck is running smoothly on turns. Thanks.

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