Differential noise - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

malibupaul · 05-05-2025, 05:11 PM

My 2013 Camaro 2LS had the diff replaced twice. No abuse, just failure. First the gears were replaced. When the noise continued, the dealer believed the housing was warped, so they replaced the housing, and the gears again. All was under warranty at 30K miles. Now, about 20K miles later, I think it’s still loud. I think it has always been a noisy (humming) drivetrain. I’m planning on changing the fluid. I’ll look for metal, but if finding none, anyone had this issue or found a fluid that is better to quiet this down? I found another thread where a member stated that Camaro diffs are noisy, but that was a higher end Camaro with posi. Mine has a standard LS diff.

SummitWhite11 · 05-05-2025, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malibupaul

My 2013 Camaro 2LS had the diff replaced twice. No abuse, just failure. First the gears were replaced. When the noise continued, the dealer believed the housing was warped, so they replaced the housing, and the gears again. All was under warranty at 30K miles. Now, about 20K miles later, I think it’s still loud. I think it has always been a noisy (humming) drivetrain. I’m planning on changing the fluid. I’ll look for metal, but if finding none, anyone had this issue or found a fluid that is better to quiet this down? I found another thread where a member stated that Camaro diffs are noisy, but that was a higher end Camaro with posi. Mine has a standard LS diff.

Are you the original owner? Were your differential bushings replaced with aftermarket by any chance. I heard that some aftermarket bushings will cause the drive train noise. Are you running an aftermarket exhaust as well? Could it be the drone?

malibupaul · 05-05-2025, 10:01 PM

I’m the original owner. The car is total stock, 50K mikes, with the original exhaust. The diff, and any other maintenance and repairs was done by the dealer. It’s not exhaust noise. Thanks.

larry_g · 05-06-2025, 07:46 AM

Worn tires or even wheel bearings can make a humming noise as well.

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malibupaul · 05-06-2025, 11:19 AM

The tires are original, so they are getting fairly worn. Thanks for the feedback.

malibupaul · 09-08-2025, 05:43 PM

I bought Valvoline Premium Full Synthetic to replace the factory fluid.

Moto-Mojo · 09-08-2025, 09:57 PM

I've been hearing a low frequency, metallic grumble for quite a while. I've had MRR wheels on for 20K miles or so and wonder about the wider offset is stressing the wheel bearings? Then other days I think it's the diff. Engine RPM doesn't change it. So it's a rolling grumble. Car has 49K miles.

malibupaul · 09-09-2025, 02:36 PM

Just changed my diff fluid. No change in noise. My neighbor agrees with Larry g that it could be tire noise when I told him they were the originals, 12 years old.

redcoats1976 · 09-09-2025, 03:25 PM

it could be tire noise,mine did that once they had about 25k miles on them.

05-05-2025, 05:11 PM	#1
malibupaul Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	Differential noise My 2013 Camaro 2LS had the diff replaced twice. No abuse, just failure. First the gears were replaced. When the noise continued, the dealer believed the housing was warped, so they replaced the housing, and the gears again. All was under warranty at 30K miles. Now, about 20K miles later, I think it’s still loud. I think it has always been a noisy (humming) drivetrain. I’m planning on changing the fluid. I’ll look for metal, but if finding none, anyone had this issue or found a fluid that is better to quiet this down? I found another thread where a member stated that Camaro diffs are noisy, but that was a higher end Camaro with posi. Mine has a standard LS diff.

05-06-2025, 07:46 AM	#4
larry_g Drives: 2014 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 886	Worn tires or even wheel bearings can make a humming noise as well. Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk __________________ 830 WHP 700 WTQ, Whipple 2.9 @ 13lbs Boost, Flex Fuel Tune by Blevins Tuning, LSA SBE, 3.5 GripTec, ATI LS3 Damper, AFR 260cc Mongoose, ARP Studs, Yella Terra Ultralites, Johnson 2110R, BTR PDS Stage 3, Melling 10355, Improved Racing Baffle, ID1050X, DSX Triple Fuel Pump, RotoFab CAI, NW 103mm TB, Stainless Works 1-7/8" LTH to 3" Speed Eng w/ X-pipe to NPP, Powermaster 9509 XS, Detroit Speed Motor Mounts, MGW, Monster LT1-S, ZL1 Calipers, DBA Rotors & Pads, Bilstein B6 Struts & Shocks, BMR 1.25" Drop Springs & Adj Rear Bar, Pegasus Solid Bushings, Z/28 Wheels, other misc parts.

09-08-2025, 09:57 PM	#7
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 4,216	I've been hearing a low frequency, metallic grumble for quite a while. I've had MRR wheels on for 20K miles or so and wonder about the wider offset is stressing the wheel bearings? Then other days I think it's the diff. Engine RPM doesn't change it. So it's a rolling grumble. Car has 49K miles. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

09-09-2025, 02:36 PM	#8
malibupaul Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	Just changed my diff fluid. No change in noise. My neighbor agrees with Larry g that it could be tire noise when I told him they were the originals, 12 years old. __________________ 2013 2LS

05-05-2025, 10:01 PM	#3
malibupaul Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	I’m the original owner. The car is total stock, 50K mikes, with the original exhaust. The diff, and any other maintenance and repairs was done by the dealer. It’s not exhaust noise. Thanks.

05-06-2025, 11:19 AM	#5
malibupaul Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	The tires are original, so they are getting fairly worn. Thanks for the feedback.

09-08-2025, 05:43 PM	#6
malibupaul Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 64	I bought Valvoline Premium Full Synthetic to replace the factory fluid.

09-09-2025, 03:25 PM	#9
redcoats1976 Drives: LT W/2LT,blue metallic Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: central florida Posts: 5,032	it could be tire noise,mine did that once they had about 25k miles on them.