2010 Chevy equinox. I have a shudder or vibration when making sharp turns.

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Jimkat

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2010 Chevy Equinox. When making sharp turns as when parking into a parking space it vibrates or shudders from the rear or at least it seems to be coming from the rear. I have had it into my mechanic a couple of times. I did have a leaky power sterring pump which he changed. I have had new brake pads and rotors put on. Had the lube changed in differential with additive put in. Nothing is heating up. No noise going straight down the road. Only when turning it shudders or vibritates even with no pressure on brake pedal. At a loss
 

Hey Vern!

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AWD? Did you check the rear axles? Try unplugging the fuse for the rear Diff module. If that solves the shudder, maybe the module or clutch pack.
 

Jimkat

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AWD? Did you check the rear axles? Try unplugging the fuse for the rear Diff module. If that solves the shudder, maybe the module or clutch pack.
It is an AWD. I will try that. If unplugging fuse stops the vibration or shudder can I just leave unplugged ?
 

ajmboy

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Will it hurt anything to run like that
Did this solve the issue? I have the same thing on my 2011. Its as if the rear is locked and not slipping on slow turns. Tires chatter.
 

Loader423

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My 2011 dose same thing. Any news?
I have 201 equinox AWD, which does the same thing when making sharp turns, I found out by removing fuse under hood, that it disables the ear drive, and the shuddering and popping goes away, (with fuse plugged in, it sounds and feels like the rear differential is locked in positive traction, if anyone has ever owned a vehicle with positive traction, you probably experienced this when it was locked in and tried to make sharp turns),
So something is calling for positive traction in the rear differential to be activated, not sure how or where the rear differential picks up the information from that calls for locking the differential?
Could be maybe a wheel sensor?
Looking at the rear differential module, has two plugs, one with two wires and the other with four or wires maybe, if the problem was in the clutch pack the problem wouldn’t go away when unplugging the fuse,
So that tells me that the module is bad or a sensor is bad, I’m not familiar with the inside of the rear differential, but I have read that it had a electrical coil that energized the clutch pack,
Anyone have any ideas on what or how the rear differential module picks up it signal from.
 

jjs17

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Thanks for the tip, I will look into the fuse test.
 

jjs17

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I did end up replacing the rear differential and that got rid of the problem. However I am curious as to what caused this. It is a new vehicle to me but has 54k miles on it, and I got a used diff from a local salvage yard. I have read and heard that changing tires on an AWD vehicle could cause issues with the differentials if the tires are not the same "condition" from one side to the others. Could this be the cause? But I don't know the history of the vehicle as I bought it from a small dealer, who told me he has had several other Equinoxes with the same issue.
Anyone got thoughts?
 

Hey Vern!

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I did end up replacing the rear differential and that got rid of the problem. However I am curious as to what caused this. It is a new vehicle to me but has 54k miles on it, and I got a used diff from a local salvage yard. I have read and heard that changing tires on an AWD vehicle could cause issues with the differentials if the tires are not the same "condition" from one side to the others. Could this be the cause? But I don't know the history of the vehicle as I bought it from a small dealer, who told me he has had several other Equinoxes with the same issue.
Anyone got thoughts?
One thing I could think of. Maybe the previous owner had a flat and ran on the spare too long.
 

ajmboy

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If unplugging the fuse stops this (I have to test this myself), I would imagine the actuator is being engaged all the time for some reason.
 

ajmboy

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I did end up replacing the rear differential and that got rid of the problem.
However I am curious as to what caused this. It is a new vehicle to me but has 54k miles on it, and I got a used diff from a local salvage yard. I have read and heard that changing tires on an AWD vehicle could cause issues with the differentials if the tires are not the same "condition" from one side to the others. Could this be the cause? But I don't know the history of the vehicle as I bought it from a small dealer, who told me he has had several other Equinoxes with the same issue.

Anyone got thoughts?

What did that cost you from the junk yard? How hard was the job and did you do it yourself?

I wonder if its this module on the rear diff and if you can get that seperately:

module.JPG
 
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jjs17

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module~2.JPGthis clutch seems to be the culprit. It is four bolts and remove the drive shaft and replace with a salvaged one from junkyard. A lot easier than replacing the complete differential which is what I did. The differential stays in place, no need to remove the wheel axles etc .
 

kwiksi

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View attachment 2677this clutch seems to be the culprit. It is four bolts and remove the drive shaft and replace with a salvaged one from junkyard. A lot easier than replacing the complete differential which is what I did. The differential stays in place, no need to remove the wheel axles etc .
I have the same yr and model w/V6. Bought a low mileage rear diff w/module. Rather than replace the whole thing. I just want to replace module and clutch pack. Did you have to reprogram to vehicle?
 

jjs17

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We used the original module instead of replacing and programming a replaced one, however I am told that if the differentials have the same number on them, you won't need to reprogram the new one.
That said I am not sure if that would work because we used the original module in place.




This you tube link will help you with the process and he even comments on the module programming whether it needs to be done or not. This is a great video from one of the best wrenches on YT?, he mentions at 42 seconds into the video about the module programming, but the complete video will guide you through.
Hope this helps.
 
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kwiksi

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Well just replaced the RDU on our 2010. Still has the service AWD. Cleared it. Drives normal with no chatter. I checked on my Autel and its throwing code C056E:47 ECU software vin not programmed. It's digits, but can't make anything out on the RDU itself. Just long serial numbers. Anyone got any idea?
 

jjs17

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Well just replaced the RDU on our 2010. Still has the service AWD. Cleared it. Drives normal with no chatter. I checked on my Autel and its throwing code C056E:47 ECU software vin not programmed. It's digits, but can't make anything out on the RDU itself. Just long serial numbers. Anyone got any idea?
It doesn't recognize the part Vin number programmed into the replaced module, you will have to get it programmed to your vin number. That is a dealer issue I believe.
 

kwiksi

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Update. Chiton’s said there’s a 2 digit code in the module plug. This one had 77. Used my Autel to upload that. Still same thing. Smh.
 

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