Rebuilt Differential Help

[walterL]

Hi Guys. I just rebuilt my GU4/G80 read differential on my 2011 Tahoe. 1st couple of days all was fine, super quiet, no rattling, clunking, grinding, all was perfect. Had to run some errands last night and when I went to turn into a driveway there was like a loud pop/clunk came from the rear area. When I went to back out and turned sharp to back out of the space it did it again. Then I had to take a narrow hard curve path to drive around the building to leave and the whole time I have the wheels turned it did it a couple more times. When I got back out on to the road and got straightened up, all drove quiet and great again. It does fine in soft curves, going straight, or backing straight, but if I have a hard curve or have to turn sharp like to get in a parking spot, or to turn in a driveway, loud pops and clunks. What could it be? I really need help in a big way with this, PLEASE!

 

[Foggy]

Add a bottle of limited slip to it
Did you break it in ??? Needs to be driven slowly
in a wide figure 8 pattern several times. Then let it cool.
Then take it on a 15 drive and then let it cool.
Then change the gear oil in it (add limited slip additive if your
synthetic gear lube doesn't show it has it)

 

[walterL]

Add a bottle of limited slip to it
Did you break it in ??? Needs to be driven slowly
in a wide figure 8 pattern several times. Then let it cool.
Then take it on a 15 drive and then let it cool.
Then change the gear oil in it (add limited slip additive if your
synthetic gear lube doesn't show it has it)

This was my 1st diff. to rebuild. I have only driven slow(45mph) with it, but did not do fig. 8's. I did use Valvoline synthetic oil for limited slip. Thanks for the help and I will try the figure 8'sand see what happens. Since I did use the limited slip oil, should I still change it again? Again, thanks for the help, you don't know just how much I appreciate it.

 

[B-train]

It almost sounds like too much preload to me. It's been a LONG time since I had one apart, but there are specific procedures to follow for preload, tooth engagement, etc. I'm not a professional on rear ends, but my guess is the limited slip portion is too tight and doesn't want to float in a neutral state like it should.

If you have an area that is slippery (snow, wet grass) try doing the same maneuvers and see how it reacts. It will probably be quiet because the tire can slip as needed without being locked to pavement.

 

[walterL]

It almost sounds like too much preload to me. It's been a LONG time since I had one apart, but there are specific procedures to follow for preload, tooth engagement, etc. I'm not a professional on rear ends, but my guess is the limited slip portion is too tight and doesn't want to float in a neutral state like it should.

If you have an area that is slippery (snow, wet grass) try doing the same maneuvers and see how it reacts. It will probably be quiet because the tire can slip as needed without being locked to pavement.

I had a preload between 20-25 in/lbs. I will give this a shot as well. I have to get this going right so all the advice I can get is welcome. Thank you.