NHTSA Complaint #10217434 — 2004 CADILLAC V-SERIES

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN MY 2004 CADILLAC CTS-V FAILED(EXPLODED). MY OPINION IS THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS NOT PROPERLY ENGINEERED TO HANDLE THE POWER OF THE CTS-V. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS THE SAME REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS IN THE 6 CYLINDER CTS MODEL. THE CTS-V HAS 400 HP AND 395 FT/LBS OF TORQUE. WHEEL HOP AND/OR AXLE TRAMP ARE THE PRIMARY REASON THE DIFF. FAILS BUT IT GOES BACK TO POOR ENGINEERING OR THE LACK THERE OF AS THE BASE MODELS REAR SUSPENSION AND THE CTS-V'S ARE IDENTICAL. WHEEL HOP CAN BE INDUCED AT ALMOST ANY TIME IN THE FIRST 3 GEARS AND IS NOT, UNLIKE WHAT THE GM WILL TELL YOU, ONLY CAUSED BY SIDE STEPPING THE CLUTCH. THIS IS NOT TRUE , AND EVEN IF IT WAS, THE REAR DIFF. SHOULDN'T EXPLODE FROM WHEEL HOP. IT EXPLODES BECAUSE OF HOW IT IS FASTENED TO THE CHASSIS AND THE AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT ALLOWED AT ITS MOUNTING POINTS. AS FAR AS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS NOT OUT OF THE REALM TO BREAK A REAR DIFF. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON A DAMP ROADWAY AND BEING POWERLESS(LITERALLY) TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR