so... that took longer than expected

[V]

broke the V.

LMAO

i did something to the drivetrain mounts or rear suspension.
Down shifted to second at about 46mph and went WOT.
Experienced extreme wheel hop and before i could get off it, BANG!

Car is still 100% driveable so im pretty sure the rear is alive.
but when going from reverse to forward or vice versa, it bangs, kinda like a trans mount or DS bearing mount, possibly even the rear cradle mount.

On wed i should have time to get it up on a lift and see what i did.

But ill give the car some credit, it held together a lot longer than i had expected

oh well... glad this happened now, before a blower install.

[V]

well, i was laying under the car and took pictures.

I know whats wrong.

I need a whole new differential.... fun.....

I was rocking it and noticed the excessive movement of the front of the rear diff.
This pic says it all...




now zoomed in a little....




and now highlighted... I broke to the top loop/ear off the front of the differential housing.

[V]

I may have found a temporary fix....

The BMR CTSV Pinion support brace....

this could hold me over till i find a new housing.. and even then id keep it on to prevent this again

[sweetbmxrider]

i expected moaaaar carnage

[V]

well, im glad there wasn't... lol

I ordered the brace, should have it on Thursday and installed Friday.

i know the brace isn't designed to act alone as a front mount but its my only real option and i don't see it causing any further harm.

It'll give me time to find a good V diff, OR a cheap cts housing which i can have fully rebuilt with my current internals during the winter months. And id do all new axles and bushings then.

[V]

ok well i found a brand new housing... no internals just the case, which has the section where i broke the mount.

anyone ever take one of the independent rears apart?
how involved is it to swap the guts over?
I would prob have a shop do it anyway, and it would be over the winter.

but 200 + cost of swapping guts and getting new bearings and seals in my mind makes more sense than 650 for a used complete rear that i dont know the history of...

[The Fixer]

Holy crap dude, that's insane! Nice job breaking the whole case. That brace looks pretty stout, definitely make sure you install it on the new rear.

[Stevoone]

I've done a few of those rubber bushings on the V6 models. Never seen a broken case tho.

If you still have a wheel hop issue after you fix the case there is a bulliten for cradle bushings (V only). They made plastic inserts to stiffen the original bushings.

Bulliten # -- 05-04-114-001B
P/N -- 19133557

It comes as a kit and you'll need to do a 4 wheel alignment afterwards.

I went through a training course on how to rebuild them, there actually extremely easy. I don't think my dealership has the tool kit for them tho.

[V]

i think ill buy that housing and give a rebuild a shot this winter.i found this exploded view and it doesn't seem that bad. id end up doing the cradle bushing, new axles, and the bmr anti-wheelhop kit. All that with the pinion brace should do me well for a while.



i wonder if i could strengthen up the stock case by reinforcing it with JB weld or similar hahaha... id just have to add an external gear oil cooler then id guess.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by V

I wonder if that fits on the Solstice/Sky.......

[V]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

I wonder if that fits on the Solstice/Sky.......

I doubt it. Recent models have a tq arm that covers and replaces that mount. And earlier ones I think use a part that attaches to diff and turns 90degrees then bolts up. But doesn't hurt checking under ur car.

[qwikz28]

how will that fix the leak?

[V]

leak is just the pinion seal, been since i bought the car. it doesnt drip, just wetness.
I'll install a new one when i rebuild with the new housing.

ooo pretty...

[qwikz28]

that looks good to me. I can't imagine breaking that after you get the new housing without some serious abuse

[V]

I got the pinion support brace yesterday and got time to install it today.
I like it.

Also got the see exactly what i had broke under there.

It was exactly as had thought, top of the front mounting ear was gone.

Hopefully this holds me over till i get the new rear built, but so far i think it drives even better than before.

[The Fixer]

Looks great Paul, hopefully it holds up!

[Grifter]

I did a bushing for my friends V a little while ago. I did some searching and couldn't find an aftermarket bushing. If I had time I would have tried to fill that bushing with Flexane, I've filled a lot of motor mounts in the past with it and have had great luck.