Holden Crewman VY-II "S" - Diff problems?

[Fitzy44]

My 12 month old VY-II Crewman "S" has developed a noise in the (LSD) differential, somewhat like the sound a drum brake makes with a broken return spring. In other words like a faint but distinct grinding noise (that is slowly getting louder).

The local Holden service centre had three mechanics have a quick look (hoist and stethoscope) and a drive of it it prior to it's scheduled (30k) service in a couple of days. All agree they can hear the noise and each said independently of each other "I think the Crewman has had an acknowledged diff problem".

Anyone know of such an acknowledged problem?
:(

[One tonner]

Check your Private message

[tlr1000]

Fitzy do a search, you will find lots of interesting reading. Good luck.

[Fitzy44]

Check your Private message

Thanks indeed . . . See yours for reply ;)

As a general small update on this I rang another dealership and asked if there were any known problems with Crewman diffs and they said "Just bring it in and a mechanic will test drive it and it we consider it is noisy we will order another diff from GM and fit it for you".

I now wonder if I have to argue the point about what is considered noisy!?!?!
:(

[DaveMorro]

Oops, double post

[DaveMorro]

let us know how you get on with the dealer and their definition of noisy.
I had a run in with my dealer this morning.
Took my Crewman in for its 3000k service and to get a small stone chip fixed(when i took delivery had a small chip in bonnet, dealer agreed to respray bonnet when i come in for 3000k service)
Anyway i went to pick up car today and bonett had benn buffed but chip was still there, the service manager thought i'd find this acceptable!
I now have to wait another couple of days, the free executive commodore loan car i had is now upgraded to a demo SS. Gonna lay some friggin rubber later ! :D

[Fitzy44]

Apparently the problem is confined to the Crewman "S" and 1-Tonner V6s (so far VY-II only I think). However it's apparently rather prevalent.

The problem/argument I have had is that there is no clearcut determination as to what level of noise is classed as noisy and "who" makes that assessment. In fact I had a circuitous argument with customer relations on that point. They couldn't tell me what scale or method is used to determine whether it is considered noisy or not. Mine is getting VERY noisy and it seems it's the pinion bearing. My "S" has done 28,000km.

Furthermore it seems that GMH is having hassles with the diff supplier as the application and determination as to whether they will replace it or not swings on the dealership returning a faxed application sheet to the diff supplier - not GMH. Fortunately I heard today that they will replace it.

The thing that P***ed me off was GMH's stance on how the noise level would be evaluated. Trust me - it's noisy.

Anyway today I have (Paid for) an upgrade from the VY-II Crewman "S" to the Crewman VZ "SS" Gen-III V8 and get it next week. I scored one of those built with the leather trim "smart pack" a few months ago in expectation of large orders. Those orders for leather option didn't happen so they released them with "free" leather (and free rego). Same colour as before - Redhot.

The V8 has a different diff otherwise I wouldn't have been so keen.
Just thought I should put the word out about the diffs.

[Swordie]

I wonder if it has the same Diff as the BA Falcon?

[DaveMorro]

Apparently the problem is confined to the Crewman "S" and 1-Tonner V6s (so far VY-II only I think). However it's apparently rather prevalent.

The problem/argument I have had is that there is no clearcut determination as to what level of noise is classed as noisy and "who" makes that assessment. In fact I had a circuitous argument with customer relations on that point. They couldn't tell me what scale or method is used to determine whether it is considered noisy or not. Mine is getting VERY noisy and it seems it's the pinion bearing. My "S" has done 28,000km.

Furthermore it seems that GMH is having hassles with the diff supplier as the application and determination as to whether they will replace it or not swings on the dealership returning a faxed application sheet to the diff supplier - not GMH. Fortunately I heard today that they will replace it.

The thing that P***ed me off was GMH's stance on how the noise level would be evaluated. Trust me - it's noisy.

Anyway today I have (Paid for) an upgrade from the VY-II Crewman "S" to the Crewman VZ "SS" Gen-III V8 and get it next week. I scored one of those built with the leather trim "smart pack" a few months ago in expectation of large orders. Those orders for leather option didn't happen so they released them with "free" leather (and free rego). Same colour as before - Redhot.

The V8 has a different diff otherwise I wouldn't have been so keen.
Just thought I should put the word out about the diffs.


Good luck Fitzy44
BTW what did they slug you to changeover ?

[Chris52]

Fitzy44, Are you sure that a V6 diff is different to a V8 diff. I thought that they where both the same unit? Anyway congratulations on the upgrade, and as for the colour, Redhot looks great.As for the diff - beware as you have probably also upgraded to diff whine.

Cheers

Chris.

[kwfraser]

and i am taking it in on wensday for its 3000k service and one the probs i have is the noise the pinion makes when cruising on the open road not happy jan, payed good money and i can hear it over the 3" exhaust system hmmm

so tell me what ratio should i replace it with if it comes to it, m6 and only exhaust so far but in central west nsw so most travelling done at 110kph
and i getting better fuel economy out of 5 than 6 but find its reving just a tad to high.
btw top forum i like the fact its so well policed and everybody is fair dinkum

[Chris52]

and i am taking it in on wensday for its 3000k service and one the probs i have is the noise the pinion makes when cruising on the open road not happy jan, payed good money and i can hear it over the 3" exhaust system hmmm

so tell me what ratio should i replace it with if it comes to it, m6 and only exhaust so far but in central west nsw so most travelling done at 110kph
and i getting better fuel economy out of 5 than 6 but find its reving just a tad to high.
btw top forum i like the fact its so well policed and everybody is fair dinkum

kwfraser, as for your diff ratio I think that the 3.9's might be the go. 110kph in 6th gear should be a tad under 2000rpm, plus should make 5th a useable overtaking gear.This is the way I am heading with mine.

Cheers

Chris.

[cams290]

I am on my 3rd diff in 23,000k's in my BA Pursuit, they all started whining at about 95-105kph, this one is also making a grinding noise at 60-80kph, definately not good enough for a new car.
I wonder if Dana makes diffs for Holden?
An independant assesment from a diff specialist suggests thet the pinion pre-load isnt set up correctly, and the LSD clutches are not tight enough.
Me thinking about putting a good old 9 inch, but shouldnt have to for the money we pay for these cars

[One tonner]

I am on my 3rd diff in 23,000k's in my BA Pursuit, they all started whining at about 95-105kph, this one is also making a grinding noise at 60-80kph, definately not good enough for a new car.
I wonder if Dana makes diffs for Holden?
An independant assesment from a diff specialist suggests thet the pinion pre-load isnt set up correctly, and the LSD clutches are not tight enough.
Me thinking about putting a good old 9 inch, but shouldnt have to for the money we pay for these cars

Dana does make the diff for Holden; you are right on with your explanation to the problem.
I too have had my diff looked at by an independent specialist and was told exactly the same thing as you. Camms290.
I too am on my third diff in a V8 One tonner.
The nine-inch idea has also gone through my mind.

[Swordie]

I had a chat to a friend that has a BA Barra 1 tonne with LSD. He had a diff noise, the problem was fixed using the correct oil. It sounded like the diff didn't have the right oil from the factory.

[pemier]

I also have a one tonner and had the diff replaced at 2 weeks old and its already making noises again (30000km travelled). When I asked holdens if it was common their reply was no not really. :rolleyes:

[sandgroper]

I had a chat to a friend that has a BA Barra 1 tonne with LSD. He had a diff noise, the problem was fixed using the correct oil. It sounded like the diff didn't have the right oil from the factory.

Agreed.....Mine needed the additive and was shmick after that!

[Fitzy44]

Apparently the problem is confined to the Crewman "S" and 1-Tonner V6s (so far VY-II only I think). However it's apparently rather prevalent.

The problem/argument I have had is that there is no clearcut determination as to what level of noise is classed as noisy and "who" makes that assessment. In fact I had a circuitous argument with customer relations on that point. They couldn't tell me what scale or method is used to determine whether it is considered noisy or not. Mine is getting VERY noisy and it seems it's the pinion bearing. My "S" has done 28,000km.

Furthermore it seems that GMH is having hassles with the diff supplier as the application and determination as to whether they will replace it or not swings on the dealership returning a faxed application sheet to the diff supplier - not GMH. Fortunately I heard today that they will replace it.

The thing that P***ed me off was GMH's stance on how the noise level would be evaluated. Trust me - it's noisy.

Anyway today I have (Paid for) an upgrade from the VY-II Crewman "S" to the Crewman VZ "SS" Gen-III V8 and get it next week. I scored one of those built with the leather trim "smart pack" a few months ago in expectation of large orders. Those orders for leather option didn't happen so they released them with "free" leather (and free rego). Same colour as before - Redhot.

The V8 has a different diff otherwise I wouldn't have been so keen.
Just thought I should put the word out about the diffs.
Sorry to resurrect my old post but this is the continuing saga of diff replacement over two Crewmans VY-II V6 and VZ "SS" V8.

As others have pointed out, it quickly became apparent to me that the problem is not confined to the V6 Crewman alone. It is also the V8 Crewman and One-tonner as they have the same diff.

When I visted the Ford dealer (to organise a service on our Ford Escape) the dealer asked me what I thought of the Crewman. I told him I loved it except for the diff problem and added that if Ford made a Crewman body I'd probably have bought the Falcon. He said to me "Well you'd still have had the problem as the Falcon diff has the same problem as Dana make the diffs for both".

Cut to now . . .
Having had the replacement done to my VY-II Crewman "S" and then shortly thereafter trading it in on the VZ Crewman "SS" (cost $15,000 changeover) I soon found the same diff problem and had the same argument about what is considered noisy. This time it seemed to be just crownwheel noise as the light grinding sound of the pinion bearing as well wasn't there. First they tried to blame the CarryBoy canopy (I also had one on the VY-II) and I pointed out that if anything, it and the heavy tub liner mat would mask the noise not increase it. I maintained that the noise was airborne in that it wasn't a resonance being transferred through to the body.

Anyway they first insisted they try and see what happened if they changed the suspension bushes. They did. It made no difference except that it now also made a continuous squeak over every minor road imperfection. They then (I think) solved that by loosening the bushes and retightening it when the wheels had a load on them rather than hanging in space on the hoist.

Anyway they agreed to change the diff. So I also ordered a MAFless tune and dyno (which I am VERY impressed with) and they fitted the diff while they had it for that. They had the vehicle for about 10 days which was annoying. The diff was changed about six weeks or about 3,000km ago.

You guessed it. Within a week or so, the noise was coming back and as of last week was almost as bad as before. This time with both crownwheel and pinion bearing noise. I also noted it sounded and felt a bit odd when say taking off briskly and simultaneously turning as when you merge with traffic at a T-intersection.

I thought I'd try some Nulon G-70 (or is it G-90? the tube isn't to hand) gearbox and diff additive (it's ok for LSDs) and took it to the Dealer and asked them to put it in the diff. The machanic came back to me shortly thereafter and said he hadn't put it in because he recommended replacing the oil in the diff. I said that it had new oil when it the diff was replaced only some weeks ago and asked if it was "silvery". He agreed that it was.

So they've ordered me another diff. Also saying incidentally that it might take a while as Dana are flat out making diffs for the new Holden. I said I was surprised that GM would let Dana supply diffs again. I remembered the words of the Dana person I spoke with with the first problem on the VY-II which was to the effect "Tell your dealer to say that the vehicle is off the road and you'll get it in a couple of days instead of a couple of weeks". I haven't done that.

So here we are with a replacement diff that is only about six weeks old and in need of replacement again. After they've replaced this one, that will make two Crewmans and five diffs.

From day one I think I'll add that Nulon stuff to the next diff. (I've used their other products in engines for years and am very impressed).

I know you can have problems with any make of vehicle but the absolutely disgusting approach to Customer Service by GM is appalling. The first time they had me negotiating with Dana directly as Customer service had someone who had scant mechanical knowledge giving me all the BS you can imagine to the effect that they were unaware of any problem and I was the first they'd heard about.

:booty: to GM

I was formerly a Ford man (but not one-eyed) however I had tried a new Commodore Station Wagon many years ago and disliked it as it rattled badly front (somewhere under the dash) and back (tailgate) from day one and couldn't be fixed. It drove me nuts. It also had poor body stiffness. So I never went near GM again for more than ten years having a string of Fords mainly and was never unhappy with any of them. I know there will be people who have had Ford problems and swear by GM. Ford have always had more comfortable seats though - however I digress. :)

I pity the poor bastard who buys a secondhand Crewman after the warranty is expired. They aren't fixing the problem just rearranging the deckchairs. I will get rid of this Crewman when the warranty expires and probably never touch a GM product again.

[Jargle]

Fitzy44
I have a mate who has had exactly the same problems as you have in his SS and until someone else mentioned it I was going to let you know it's not limited to the S models, he has been a very keen Holden man for many years he got so p@&%ed off from the lack of response from Holden he is now looking at buying a hilux, he was also driving around with a very big warning sign on the back.
not a good effort from GM.

[One tonner]

Fitzy44
I have a mate who has had exactly the same problems as you have in his SS and until someone else mentioned it I was going to let you know it's not limited to the S models, he has been a very keen Holden man for many years he got so p@&%ed off from the lack of response from Holden he is now looking at buying a hilux, he was also driving around with a very big warning sign on the back.
not a good effort from GM.

Good one.

That why I now drive Nissan Navara.