We are trying to collect some information regarding the differential failures that some owners have experienced.

What we need are the following:

Dates of Failure(s)
Cause of Failure(s) - ie. hard acceleration, wheelhop... please let us know if there was no wheelhop, because we would like to keep track of the percentage of failures that did NOT experience wheelhop.
Car information (date of mfgr, mileage, any modifications, OEM tires, tire pressure, etc)

If we can get a comprehensive list of this, we can analyze the data and submit something to Cadillac and perhaps find a workaround or fix. At the very least, it will provide owners with information and statistics to backup any warranty claims.

Please spread the word, as the larger the information base we can aquire, the better our chances are of working this out for our benefit.

Had a right rear wheel bearing failure. I now have a "whine" in the 50-60 MPH range. Wheel hop is bad. Many aftermarket vendors are working on it. Katech in Michigan has installed a mod on mine and improved it 80 - 90%. They've also changed the clutch and put in a short throw shift that is FABULOUS!!! Last year ran at Milan with an "almost stock" V. Best time was 13.3 @ 106 with severe wheel hop.

We at the dealership,...have had NO CTS-V diff failures.

Had a right rear wheel bearing failure. I now have a "whine" in the 50-60 MPH range. Wheel hop is bad. Many aftermarket vendors are working on it. Katech in Michigan has installed a mod on mine and improved it 80 - 90%. They've also changed the clutch and put in a short throw shift that is FABULOUS!!! Last year ran at Milan with an "almost stock" V. Best time was 13.3 @ 106 with severe wheel hop.

I need a short throw shifter and I'm not sure I want to pay Mallet $440 for their unit.

Do you have more information on the Katech one? Also, I'm interested in their anti-wheelhop kit... are they available on their website?

i wonder if PRO 5.0 make a shifter for the CTS-V.

We should find out where they are and send someone over there ;)

I wonder if any C5 short through might bolt in? The throw on this thing is ridiculously long... its like trying to powershift a truck :)

A Corvette, GTO, F-bod, etc. shifter will not work on the V as it has its own unique, remote linkage design. :mad:

I figured it was a long shot ;)

I'm happy with the Katech work so far. They still have my "V" and doing some more mods. I don't have the price yet for the short throw shifter.....but, it's like "day and night" as opposed to the factory shifter. Their web site is www.katechengines.com

Maybe Katech will do a group purchase discount, of some sort. I know the vette guys on certain forums will get several people together, 10 or soo, to buy something,and getting a group discount.

I'm gonna check with my parts guys and see if we can get some kind of a shifter product, so we have something for our customers.

Maybe Katech will do a group purchase discount, of some sort. I know the vette guys on certain forums will get several people together, 10 or soo, to buy something,and getting a group discount.

Let's follow-up on this! I would be interested in a group purchase. :)

I'd be interested in the Katech unit is a decent group buy could be made. I'm quite happy with my wildwhl/mallett unit...but there's certainly room for improvement.

I took my car to the track for the first time this weekend. The car wheelhopped off launch, and in every gear. It was quite frustrating.

I thought I could get a decent launch by using mostly clutch, but I was wrong. I'm definetly in the market for something... 2.24 60's arent going to cut it ;)

I think you guys should give Katech a call on this group purchase. They would probalby be willing to go for it. Most companies are ready to give deals when they are selling more than one item

I've ordered some "Locking Rings" from GM Racing that is supposed to cure the wheel hop, havent installed them yet but I'll keep everyone else updating.

"Kool"...how did you find out about the locking rings.....did someone from GM admit a problem?

Keep us all posted, as this is the worst thing about the CTS-V

Take a look at this post here:

http://www.vseries.net/forums/showpost.php?p=460&postcount=9

Basicly, he told me about a part that GM Racing had produced for the racing effort. I contacted them and ordered some. It took a few weeks to get, but they came in.

I'll get some pictures and let you know more hopefully tomorrow.

How many of you have noticed a viabration, like a resnence almost, between 65 and 85 mph - dealer said he found 2 others with the problem. Any fix yet?

New guy on the block.

How about that short throw shifter bulk buy? I'm in, my arm's getting sore.

We are trying to collect some information regarding the differential failures that some owners have experienced.

What we need are the following:

Dates of Failure(s)
Cause of Failure(s) - ie. hard acceleration, wheelhop... please let us know if there was no wheelhop, because we would like to keep track of the percentage of failures that did NOT experience wheelhop.
Car information (date of mfgr, mileage, any modifications, OEM tires, tire pressure, etc)

If we can get a comprehensive list of this, we can analyze the data and submit something to Cadillac and perhaps find a workaround or fix. At the very least, it will provide owners with information and statistics to backup any warranty claims.

Please spread the word, as the larger the information base we can aquire, the better our chances are of working this out for our benefit.

my diff was replaced for excessive wear to ring-and pinion gear at 1800 miles, and it just blew up last night with 3279 miles. This is starting to get obnoxious

Ben

I wonder if anyone could get their money back on lemon law type failures. I know of people who have been through 3 or more, so the lemon law would apply to them.

I am in the process of purchasing a '05 V, but all the talk of sever wheel hop and differential failures has me a bit spooked. I saw a referece a few posts back to GM locking rings that were supposed to help resolve the problem. Has anyone actually installed them yet, and if so, what was the result?

If anyone has found a solid fix for this problem, please let me know. I love the car, but don't what to spend big bucks on a vehicle that will have chronic problems.

Thanks for any input you can offer.

GM has just released info to their dealers about fixing the wheel hop by installing supplemental bushings in the rear - THey are also supposed to improve the handling a bit.

I already contacted my dealer and they ordered the parts to do the fix - It is covered under warranty. I'll post when it is done and let you know the outcome. To be honest, though, I haven't noticed wheel hop much on my car - I have an '05 with the sport shocks option - They supposedly help with the wheel hop - I am doing it more for the handling improvement.

THere is also a KARS cradle kit that was made by a V owner - I ordered that as well and it should be in in a few weeks. I have heard that this is the only kit to get for the hop problem. Check out Karsxtremeperf.com
I'll keep you posted on that as well - Car is awesome!!! Bad on gas - a few squeaks and rattles with only 2K miles - Other than that it's BAD ASS!!!!!

GM has just released info to their dealers about fixing the wheel hop by installing supplemental bushings in the rear - THey are also supposed to improve the handling a bit.

I already contacted my dealer and they ordered the parts to do the fix - It is covered under warranty. I'll post when it is done and let you know the outcome. To be honest, though, I haven't noticed wheel hop much on my car - I have an '05 with the sport shocks option - They supposedly help with the wheel hop - I am doing it more for the handling improvement.

THere is also a KARS cradle kit that was made by a V owner - I ordered that as well and it should be in in a few weeks. I have heard that this is the only kit to get for the hop problem. Check out Karsxtremeperf.com
I'll keep you posted on that as well - Car is awesome!!! Bad on gas - a few squeaks and rattles with only 2K miles - Other than that it's BAD ASS!!!!!


Do you have any more info on what GM released to the dealers? Is this a service bulletin? I'm going to try and get in touch with my dealer next week and see if they have anything about fixing wheel hop issues.

Anyone that hasn't already done so, contact your dealer and refer to Document ID# 1684809. They will order the replacement bushings that should eliminate wheel hop under "most circumstances" (from the TSB document) and install them under warrenty for you. The dealer might give you a little hassle about this proceedure as it is a TSB and not a recall but if you incist they must do the work. This is an excerpt from the TSB:


Important: Do NOT replace the rear sub-frame bushings unless the customer specifically has the concern of objectionable wheel hop.


EVERYONE should object to ANY wheel hop. The $160 bushings are a lot cheaper than replacing the rear differential... then again, the TSB refers to the action causing the wheel hop as being abusive and that's probably how GM would try to get out of fixing the rear differential under warrenty.

Give them a call and get your wheel hop issues fixed on GM!

My wife and I have had our 2005 CTS-V since february 05, and we recently had to have the rear end replaced, at 10000 miles. noticed the problem on our honeymoon. I have raised issues on the wheel hop, and we are having other issues as well. The radio unit has some software issues that make it display the wrong track, and stick on that track until the user pushes a button. the radio displays the wrong station number while you are listening to it. the dealer service department cannot recreate the problems, but we have the problems on video and have shown this to the head mechanic. the rear end 2000 miles after being replaced needed a new pinion seal.

the tranny makes a clunking noise when dissengaging.

the wheels really hop badly under hard acceleration.

there is now a vibration from 75-85 mph, that they claim is due to worn out tires. the tires should have a few thousand miles left on them, and look to be fine.

the user settings flip flop from one to the other, ie key fob 1 gets key fob 2's settings, and vice versa.

our dash lights flicker at night, while the car is not moving, and while going down the road at highway speeds.


Charles S.
2005 Burgundy CTS-V

I have been lucky that my rear diff hasnt had any problems. It whines, but hasnt gone out.

My dash lights do flicker at random times and has done so since day one.

My tranny does clunk very often and has done so since day one.

The other issues I havent had.

the whining in the rear end is a sign that it is going... it should not have a whine at all. it should be quiet. a whine means that I believe the pinion gear is out of adjustment or damaged.

have you brought the lights flickering to your dealer's attention?

they say there is not a problem, and they can't repeat our issues. but if enough people complain about it, they will have to do something...

Charlie S.

Hi everyone Im new to this site. I love my cts-v but I also have had rear dif problems. Its a great looking car lots of power but lots of problems. I think Gm rushed to make the V's. I have gone through 4 rear diffs in the past year. So far this last rear diff is holding up pretty well and the wheel hop was reduced a little bit. GM replaced my rear diff and used race bushings that are used on there race prepped cts v which I had to pay for but so far I havent had problems. I also found that turning the traction completly off when launching is the only way to prevent rear diff failures. To turn the traction control off go into the glove box and press the traction control button once then press it again and hold it for 5 seconds until a messege comes up on the screen that says STABILITRAK DISABLED. IT will reduce the wheel-hop. I hope this rear diff holds up cuse I purschased the anti-wheel hop kit and I want install it as soon as Im sure this rear diff holds up.

Oh man, the diff broke. GM will not fix it, they said go pound on sand.

Oh man, the diff broke. GM will not fix it, they said go pound on sand.

Can you give us more details? Is your car modified in any way? Did you have the TSB for wheel hop done on your car? What year is it?

My 2005 cts-v has had a diff replacement. I noticed the problem around 15,000 miles. The wining was between 30-50 mph. I did have some wheel hop on hard exceleration. I had the diff. replaced. I was told that there is a break-in period of 500 miles. It consisted of, no hard excel. and not to drive at the same speed for more that 10miles at a time. I did exactly that. I am going to bring the car in for the tech. to drive the car to prove that I am going to need a second diff. replacement. This time I drove the car easier overall. I did experience the car having a very slight wheel hop once when I pulled out into traffic from leaving a gas station. I quickly eased off the throttle to stop it. I first had the goodyear f1 tires on the car. I was able to get approx. 15 to 16,000 miles out of them. I have been told that was a lot. I now have some goodyear all season runflats on the car which softened the ride some but I lost some grip and performance. The second diff failure occured at around 1500miles after the first repair. Something really needs to be done! I love the car and always have but if this continues I will not keep it much longer. What a shame to produce such a nice car without having the kinks worked out.

So far so good as far as the diff is concerned. 3500 and counting until imminent failure :D

My 2006 CTS V with 23000 miles had the rear housing crack. This is a new one for me as I have never seen that on any car I have raced or owned. I don't beat on this car no burn outs as evidenced by 22500 miles out of first set of Goodyears. Replaced them with Bridgestone Pole Position. Dealer gets an A for having a new diff flown in from factory and installed in one day and loaned me a car. Ed Morse Cadillac in Delray Beach Fl.

Buzz
360 Ferrari Modena
2006 CTS-V
2005 Harley Ultra Glide

It's good to know that there are sopme good Caddy dealerships out there.

My 2006 CTS V with 23000 miles had the rear housing crack. This is a new one for me as I have never seen that on any car I have raced or owned. I don't beat on this car no burn outs as evidenced by 22500 miles out of first set of Goodyears. Replaced them with Bridgestone Pole Position. Dealer gets an A for having a new diff flown in from factory and installed in one day and loaned me a car. Ed Morse Cadillac in Delray Beach Fl.

Buzz
360 Ferrari Modena
2006 CTS-V
2005 Harley Ultra Glide

I was under the impression they updated the bushings and what not in '06 to address the rear diff issue. Is this still a fairly big problem in '06+ models as well? I'm currently looking into an '06, dark red, 19k miles - they're asking $30K. Don't know too much about this car but I'm doing my homework now...

Whats up guys, first thread on this site, so hi :) I bought my 04 cts-v used back in march. 51,000 miles on it now. Im not having a diff failure, but a similar issue. There are two rear bolts holding the diff into the crossmember. The "passenger" side bolt snapped on me, and apparently this has happened before because the spare tire well has been dented in to replace the bolt (tight fit). All of the threads are stuck in the diff :( . So I have a replacement bolt, but i obviously need to drop down the entire diff to get the rest of the bolt out. Has anybody else had this issue? And yes, it snapped on a hard 1st-2nd gear shift...i was impressing a lady ;) Im getting everything for the rear, because i know this job is going to be a bitch to do, so i dont want to do it twice. BMR antiwheel hop kit, trailing arms, toe rods, and pinion support. But for now, its down for the count until i move (bought a house, needs some remodeling). Back on track now, lol, ive thought about replacing those bolts with ARP bolts, but not sure if it is really necessary? Has anybody else snapped the bolts? What other upgrades are out there for the rear end? I dont want that thing to even think about moving, because i really enjoy 4th gear chirps :D

If guys are still having isues with your pinions we offer a support for it that will help eliminate the diff movement. Here is a link to our site. If you have any questions or would like to order one please give me a call.

http://www.bmrfabrication.com/CTS-Vpage.htm

For any member of v net I will give you a forum members discount if you place an order iwth me up until 10-23-2009 at 6pm est.

I purchased my 09 CTS-V on Jan 2, 2009. In June 09 I noticed a popping/clicking sound coming from the front/passenger side. Dealer removed wheel, cleaned rotor, wheel, etc. and sound disappeared. In Sep 09, a similar but louder sound started in the driver/front side - especially during turns at slower speeds. Dealer replaced front left rotor assembly - seemed to fix the problem. In Dec 09, both driver and passenger/front popping sound started during reverse out of parking space (left and right reversals). Dealer was able to replicate consistently but determined this to be 'normal condition for a limited slip differential as compared with another, like CTS-V" on the lot. Today (Jan 7, 2010), the front end pops loudly and the front end of the car 'hops' when reversing out of a parking space -- every time. I contacted my dealer on Jan 6 stating the condition is unacceptable and requires further communication with GM engineering.

I purchased my 09 CTS-V on Jan 2, 2009. In June 09 I noticed a popping/clicking sound coming from the front/passenger side. Dealer removed wheel, cleaned rotor, wheel, etc. and sound disappeared. In Sep 09, a similar but louder sound started in the driver/front side - especially during turns at slower speeds. Dealer replaced front left rotor assembly - seemed to fix the problem. In Dec 09, both driver and passenger/front popping sound started during reverse out of parking space (left and right reversals). Dealer was able to replicate consistently but determined this to be 'normal condition for a limited slip differential as compared with another, like CTS-V" on the lot. Today (Jan 7, 2010), the front end pops loudly and the front end of the car 'hops' when reversing out of a parking space -- every time. I contacted my dealer on Jan 6 stating the condition is unacceptable and requires further communication with GM engineering.

Wow that doesn't sound good at all. Best of luck getting GM to actually fix your issues.

destroyed a rear diff in the spring of 11. Hard wheelhop under hard excelleration (is there any other way with the first gen V's). Cracked the rear diff housing. Tires at 34 PSI. Driving off from blacktop onto concrete. I think that I had been thru 4-5 rear end brackets before finally losing the rear end. Also had two rear axle seals on the drivers side rear axle. I just traded it in on my 09 V which has none of the problems of the original V rear end. My first car was an 06 and had approx 60K on the clock before the rear failed. Loved the car but love the new one more!!