2002 Camaro Z28, SS, SLP, Anniversary Pkg. with 16,000 miles. Automatic. SLP installed an Auburn rear end when produced in Sept of 2011.
Was driving yesterday and stopped for a minute and when starting off again running 1 MPH and turning the steering wheel it had a loud clunk from the rear, it would clunk about every 2 feet of travel. Could go straight at 1 or 2 MPH and nothing, but turning the steering wheel in either direction this noise (clunk) and the car would shake a little. It sounded like a hammer hitting an anvil. It seemed like the rear end gears were broken. After a minute I decided to drive home (12 miles) going as straight as possible and it made it. At home in the driveway I could not reproduce the problem by turning and going slow.
Any ideas is appreciated. Thanks
Terry

 

Its never done this before. The Auburn is a locking rear for drag racing. I think this is normal?

I am a little confused, most SS's are modified before delivery in 2002. Why was yours done in 2011?

 

have you recently changed the gear oil? was the additive added to the gear oil? pretty sure this is what it does without it.

 

That is true with a limited slip AKA posi rear but I am not sure that is the case with a locker.

 

I'm pretty sure the Auburn gear posi upgrade on these 4th gen SS cars was still a limited slip and needs posi-lube in the gear oil.
https://aftermarket.auburngear.com/m..._and_warranty/

 

Yup. That's probably right.

 

My error, the Auburn rear end was installed by SLP in Sept of 2001 (not 2011). This is an early 2002 model.
And yes, I had the rear gears serviced at a Chevy dealer last month, because the car is 17 years old. ( also flushed all fluids) I told them it was a Auburn rear end. And I found my owners manual (for the Auburn Rear) that says the rear axle lub is Quaker State 80W-90 mineral based (non-synthetic) etc. and my receipt from the dealer shows they used Full Synthetic. So I will return to the dealer to get it replaced, I have driven it about 500 miles, do you think any damage is done to the gears?

Thanks for opinions. Terry

 

no damage, make sure they add the additive.

 

Thanks for the help. I checked with the Chevy dealer and the mechanic had checked the serial number and this told him I had an Auburn so did use proper fluids. My customer receipt printed the standard wording for a rear axle service. Still not sure why I had the symptoms that I had, but everything is working fine.
Another question: I have only driven this 02 Camaro SS in the Winter but the temp gauge stays at 210 degrees. Is this OK and normal? What is the thermostat degree? Can the computer be changed to have the fans come on earlier? Is it necessary in the summer in the south?
Thanks, Terry

 

temp gauge is known for being off. might check with mechanical gauge. 210 is within the range but should fluctuate a bit.