2015 - differential gear whine at hwy speeds

darkfox1 · April 19, 2016

Wow..

OK, well, I guess I'll just stop posting on this.

Long story short, after some communication today, I am satisfied. We will know more in a week or so.

Who knows what the problem was.. but I still believe it was the differential.

I feel like my concern has been perfectly valid in all of this. I bought a new vehicle, my anticipation of a new vehicle is that it is free of major problems for at least a few months. I guess others don't share that sentiment.

At any rate, its been fun.. They've met my expectations with this in the end (near the end..) and I will deal with the finale of it in a week or so.

I suppose though, that GM's reputation in all of this is damaged with me, I still love the trucks overall, but I am greatly concerned about whats happening to late model quality. Maybe it's just quality control at the plants that is the problem.

The dealership has by far exceeded what I would consider normal expectations after a sale.

The prospect of coming out of pocket and coming up with another loan after financing something so recently, really concerned me. I think I've mentioned this isn't the only thing going on in my life that has me stressed. In fact, this is a small part of it in comparison to the other things that are going on, but it all compounds until a small thing breaks the camels back.

I do disagree though, that its whining to be unhappy with a new vehicle purchase that is damaged on the lot.

hirdlej · April 20, 2016

I feel happy for you that your dealership has come to a resolution for you. Unlucky for others (such as myself) the fight isn't over yet. Hopefully they just give me an entire new rear differential. I'm thinking there's something wrong with the case on mine such as it's warped or cast/machined out of spec. Good luck on whatever new truck you buy and this time make sure that you take it home for a day or two before signing the papers. I know I would never buy another truck again after this experience unless the dealer allows me to put 100-150 miles on it before signing. I'll push cash on the barrel but no signature until the truck can prove to me it's worth signing.

hirdlej · April 21, 2016

Well darkfox, I'm not sure how things are going on your end for you, but I brought my truck in for the 2nd time today. The tech opened up the rear end and in less than 200 miles my backlash went from .006" to .008" and whining again. The tech got on the phone with GM TAC and they said stop everything, put fluid in it and we'll build/ship a new differential to install in my truck. Hopefully this is what you would consider a "blueprinted" rear end and fixes everything. I have my truck back and I'm continuing to drive and kill the original rear end. I should have the new one in 2 weeks I would think. I'll update you then.

darkfox1 · April 22, 2016

GM has negotiated things to acceptable terms (as far as I'm aware. I dont have anything written yet but spoken word has met my expectations.)

I went ahead and got the chromes stuff on the way.. AGAIN.. for the door handles, trim, mirror caps, and window trim. (I keep doing this.. and losing the truck I do it on)

They said to expect something some time next week.

I may have to pay something to insurance, but otherwise they said ALL costs of the replacement will be covered including TTT.

The truck has been removed form active stock since the paperwork started.

They will "repair" the 15 and either return it to GM for more diagnosis, or they will sell it as used on the existing lot.

I still hold to what you're finding threre that the differential itself is damaged somehow. I'm not one to bet money, but I'd bet money this fixes your issue.

What I'd like to know, and you may not ever find out in yours.. but I'd really like to know whats wrong with the diff thats making it like.. fall apart like that. Cant be design flaw, these trucks have 3 years on the road now and there's too many for that. Plus GM probably has this diff in their vans (do they still make those vans?) and other RWD vehicles of some kind.

I really appreciate the update. Hopefully I'll be able to have a closure post fairly soon here on mine and my life will finally move on.

All in all, the loaner is a nice truck, I enjoy driving it. I would buy one like the loaner. The LED headlights in the LTZ 2016s are excellent lights, the LED taillights are pleasent, the switchback turn signals are just fun on the reflection of other cars in front of me, the bose system sounds very good. (I will miss that bose system a lot..) This could have gone a LOT worse.

hirdlej · April 22, 2016

I'm tight with my technician (I've been bringing lots of donuts and pizza) ;) so I'll ask that he follow up after GM gets my old differential back. I'm convinced the housing is warped or something with the carrier (causing the ring gear to rotate out of round or wobble). Either way, I think it's best to start over with a new differential. What I'm not clear on is if mine will be coming from the production line or if it will be coming from a repair center where everything is inspected/blueprinted. Let's hope we can close this chapter and I can enjoy my truck. Otherwise I like the power, handling, suspension and it's smooth as smooth can be. I haven't had working air in a truck in about 10 years so this is a big treat when it's warm out. ;)

darkfox1 · April 26, 2016

Anything new hirdlej?

I haven't heard anything yet but I'm fairly sure it'll be this week that I do.

hirdlej · April 26, 2016

The last I heard (and this was Thursday the 21st) is that GM TAC ordered for a new rear end to be built and shipped to my dealership for the replacement. I have my truck back in my possession while I wait for it to be built, then it has to be shipped. They said a week to build the differential, then I would guess another week to week and a half to freight it. I'm hoping by Mother's Day that the dealership will have my differential in my truck. I just may be a little beyond that too though. I'll be patient. The customer service side of things has been going well and I've been very patient. I've been very polite and understanding that all of this is a "process". I'm just eager for this "process" to be over with. Hopefully after this issue is resolved, the truck is trouble-free.

BIGDOGx · April 26, 2016

Had to have the trailer hitch recall done and told them for the second time to look into my ford Taurus power steering whine that they told me was the fuel pump the first time i had them look at it. Noise has gotten louder it seems and don't know how a fuel pump is only noisy when i apply gas and start moving, i would think a slight whine would also be present during idle if it was indeed a fuel pump.

hirdlej · April 26, 2016

Well Darkfox, looky what just showed up at my dealer. Incase you were wondering how one of these were shipped LoL.

I'm excited for them to put it in! Sadly my tech (and I won't work with anyone else) is booked up for the week. I just feel better it made it here safe and sound. Probably this time next week is when it will go in.

I guess these differential *problems* in Sileo, MX have been *corrected* according to GM tech and going forward this is a higher quality controlled manufacturing process moreso than it was last summer when my truck was built.

This should be the updated and revised version whatever that means. I did look at the shipping tag on the crate, this was shipped directly from AAM in Sileo, MX. This is not a refurbed one but rather a new one from production. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

darkfox1 · April 27, 2016

Glad to hear it!

Today marks 2 weeks. They told me it'd take about that long to process the replacement.

It's cool though, I hardly have time to breathe lately, so even if they were ready, I can't get away from work or off the road long enough to sign papers. I can't even eat. I'm having 1 meal a day and like a glass of water a day right now because I'm too busy with work.

I am hoping it will be done by this Friday though, I plan to visit my parents for my mothers bday and I would like to be able to come down in my own truck.

darkfox1 · April 30, 2016

So.. I completed my vehicle replacement today and drove the 2016 home.

It has a rough idle..............................

like a REALLY rough "I'm afraid this is going to stall" idle.

*sigh*

FML...

hirdlej · April 30, 2016

Does it possibly have cheap or bad gas? As long as it rides smooth and doesn't whine, the rough idle should be an easy fix. I've heard reports of these DI engines needing a new injector or two. Do you have a scan tool? Look at your fuel trims on both the odd and even cyl banks. That will give you a clue as to what's going on.

darkfox1 · May 1, 2016

I will give it time.

At any rate, my issue with the differential is "resolved." GM told me they would be sending the SIM truck back to the home office for RCA.

I still have to talk to insurance on monday.

The new truck is a '16 LT in ABM. This color is beautiful, so I'm at least happy there. Its also VERY quiet, NO diff noise (right now. )

Please keep us informed of the outcome for your truck hirdlej

pm26 · May 2, 2016

Well Darkfox, looky what just showed up at my dealer. Incase you were wondering how one of these were shipped LoL.

I'm excited for them to put it in! Sadly my tech (and I won't work with anyone else) is booked up for the week. I just feel better it made it here safe and sound. Probably this time next week is when it will go in.

I guess these differential *problems* in Sileo, MX have been *corrected* according to GM tech and going forward this is a higher quality controlled manufacturing process moreso than it was last summer when my truck was built.

This should be the updated and revised version whatever that means. I did look at the shipping tag on the crate, this was shipped directly from AAM in Sileo, MX. This is not a refurbed one but rather a new one from production. Let's keep our fingers crossed!