Differential fluid leak - Cadillac CTS 2007 3.6L

sure.

right away

would be able to better advise if I actually could hear the noise and/or knew the results of checking the fluid. But I would get whatever it is checked out ASAP because a "grinding noise" is not a normal automotive noise, unless you're driving a crash box. It's difficult to tell someone with 100% certainty that ANY vehicle is safe to drive, and near impossible when there's obviously something mechanical that is not in factory-spec condition and you don't know what that something is.

nate

Ho long you let it go would depend on how good a driver you are. Can you handle a car on the highway when the rear wheels lock up at speed and it starts doing 360's?

The last car I drove that made a grinding noise in the rear end lasted about ten more miles before the wheels locked up. Thankfully I smelled trouble, literally, and was over to the far right on the highway heading for the shoulder and down to 30 mph when it did.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile... Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view! Jan/06 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Thanks Nate & Mike: I smelled trouble too and got the whole differencer unit replaced. As a matter of fact I got the car towed to the dealership and did not take any chances.

Again thanks for your help, Subash

good... hope you didn't pay for it! better safe than sorry; i still don't know what your problem was, could have been a bearing or it could have been something that would end like Mike's story, no sense taking chances

nate

The dealership fixed it and and I did not have to pay b/c of company warranty. The tech said it was most likely from the differential unit and replaced all of it.

Thanks again, Subash

Ok just to let you guys know the issue I had earlier this month is a part of TSB - Technical Service Bulletin from Cadillac.

2 of 6: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY Bulletin Date: OCT 2006 REAR AXLE PINION SEAL LEAK PRODUCTS. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10020785 ) (edmunds.com)