Rear End Leaking after Competitive Mode Launch

[2011Black2SS]

Has anyone else notice a leak at the rear end of the car after doing a competitive mode launch?

I did a launch for the first time yesterday and now I have a puddle of gear lube under the rear end of my car.

[Slim2SS]

Well thats not good. Should have nothing to do with the launch mode itself. You will need to get under the car and find the leak. Look closely at the pinion shaft and axles where they go thru the rear housing. I would not drive the car untill you find the leak and also determine what caused it. The last thing you want to do is run it dry. Was the there any noises or anything different after the launch that you heard or noticed?

[2011Black2SS]

No new noises after the launch. I am thinking its an axle seal, but am letting the car cool down (just drove it before I found the puddle) before I get under it.

[el ess A]

Unfortunately, that's one of the things I'm not pleased with about the new Camaro, along with the weak paint issue.

It seemingly is to the point in some people's cases where you can't USE the power that GM gave the car without something failing. Understandably, there are factors in each different case, but where as I don't even think twice about taking out my 02 SS and do some spirited driving, I'm not afraid of something snapping/breaking/grinding/slipping. The 2010 Camaro, while powerful...I'm not at that comfort level yet, I guess.

[2011Black2SS]

I just dropped it off at my dealership and I'll be giving them a call first thing in the morning. I'll give an update when I know more, but I think it is one of the axle seals.

[OUTATIME]

After actually getting my car and reading through the manual, it says to change the differential fluid before using competitive driving. Did anyone follow this?

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by OUTATIME

After actually getting my car and reading through the manual, it says to change the differential fluid before using competitive driving. Did anyone follow this?

I did. I was amazed at the amount of metal shavings that drained out of the differential (2000 miles / 8 months of driving). There are a few threads on here with pictures demonstrating the "break-in" shavings you're bound to see. This is normal from what I understand and yes, the fluid has a foul odor.

Sorry to hear about the leakage. Let us know what the dealer says.

[Pro Street]

I changed mine at 1200 miles and did the engine oil and filter at 1200 miles also!

[Russell James]

Best thing to do with launch mode is never use it. There is about half a dozen things in the driveline not up to the task of that kind of abuse.

I know somebody that broke his driveshaft, then smoked his clutch, then broke an axle.... then stopped using launch mode. I think he tried it 4 times, 3 of which resulted in a flat bed ride to the dealership.

[2011Black2SS]

Well just talked to the dealer and they said it was a bad drain plug. We'll see how it holds up.

[2011Black2SS]

So, I picked the car up today. Drove it a total of 20 miles and it is leaking again. I am thinking the drain plug was cross threaded. It only leaks when the fluid is warm.

I'll be talking to the dealership and dropping it off again tomorrow.

I wonder if it was cross threaded if they would replace the diff because I would rather not have a drill and tap job on the car.

[2010 SSRS]

wow, hope they fix it.

[drtwo]

I'm not really sure that launch control is harder on the car then simply popping the clutch and hammering it down. From experience, the launch control will slow the engine rpm to limit power until the wheels catch and then give full power. If anything the launch control is somewhat protective over just hamming the gas to the floor!?!

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Yeah but launch control is having you rev up to around 4k to 4.5k and pop the clutch. Man not good. With my gen 4 I would only go to like 2.5 to 3k max and drop it.