[Navigator]

Since the weather has dropped into the 30s or colder, I've been noticing some pretty loud noise/vibration coming from the differential on my SS particularly when making right turns from a stop. This seems to go away after the car warms up. Dealership says this is "normal" but I didn't have this issue last winter. They are going to try to drain and replace the differential fluid but don't think that will make a difference given how the clutch in the differential is designed.

Is this normal?

[Azerlazer26]

This is a common issue on the 6th gen Camaro. I took my car in for this same problem 2 months ago. The first time they just did a diff oil change but the next day the noise was present. The second time I brought it in they did a figure 8 test to see if the noise was still present. Surely enough it was. The tech that worked on my car took it out for a drive with my permission to get the fluid very hot to empty my diff of fluid and perform a flush. Kept the car overnight and tested it again and the noise was gone! I'll post a picture of my service paper so you can see what the exactly did. I asked my service advisor on what would cause this and he told me its something to do with the clutch packs in the diff not disengaging, becoming stuck with each other. Hopefully, I was helpful about this. I know lots of 6th gen camaro owners have this problem.

[Azerlazer26]

Heres a picture of the service!

[Navigator]

Thank you. The service tech seemed familiar with the issue but said it was due to how the differential clutches are designed. He's draining it replacing the fluid so we'll see. If not, what you described will be very helpful to show them.

Was yours only an issue in the cold weather?

[Navigator]

Interesting yours was happening turning left. Mine only happens turning right. I assumed that was due to the tighter turning radius of a right turn, but I guess not.

[Kiteboarder85]

Mine does it for both directions. I believe any small fix will just come back overtime and its 'normal' based on popular diagnostics.

[Azerlazer26]

Originally Posted by Navigator

Thank you. The service tech seemed familiar with the issue but said it was due to how the differential clutches are designed. He's draining it replacing the fluid so we'll see. If not, what you described will be very helpful to show them.

Was yours only an issue in the cold weather?

The temps were starting to drop to mid 40’s low 50’s when my differential would groan. As far as turing left or right. It was significantly more noticible turning left compared to going right

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by Navigator

Interesting yours was happening turning left. Mine only happens turning right. I assumed that was due to the tighter turning radius of a right turn, but I guess not.

I'm headed through my third cold season ( well as cold as SC gets anyway) and have almost 20K in miles. Last winter and then again this season I get the "groan" on left turns for about the first 5 minutes. After that - all is good. I guess before I hit the 3 yr warranty mark I need to let the dealership at it for the fluid change - etc.

[Navigator]

I'm getting mine changed today, and they said they are trying a different fluid type. I'll report back.

[njweatherman]

2018, 2SS, automatic, 3700 miles.

Started noticing mine on both left and right turns only when cold. Once the car warmed up, it went away. I took it to the dealer and of course, they could not replicate the problem. So, I took it to a mechanic who did my exhaust system, and he changed the rear differential fluid for me. Much better and less noise since changing the fluid. He told me that I was getting the noise due to either of the following: the fluid may have been dirty, the friction modifier broke-down over-time (my car sat on the lot for a year), and/or my rear differential did not break-in yet.

[Navigator]

Dealership replaced the rear diff fluid. The groaning noise is still there on right turns when the car is cold, but I’d say it’s about 80% less noticeable than before the change. After doing some more research, I’m not sure there’s much more that can be done. This seems like a common issue that doesn’t go away for most owners.

[Rock-It Man]

Originally Posted by Navigator

Dealership replaced the rear diff fluid. The groaning noise is still there on right turns when the car is cold, but I’d say it’s about 80% less noticeable than before the change. After doing some more research, I’m not sure there’s much more that can be done. This seems like a common issue that doesn’t go away for most owners.

The LDS will never be completely silent, especially when cold.

[avalonandl]

Mine does it for the first turn or two, then goes away.... Its a quirk of the awesome car...

[LT4Greg]

My ‘16 SS has had this groan noise since new and it makes the noise on left and right turns when the rear end is cold. This happens in the summer months too but the noise stops when the rear end gets warmed up.