Help with 997.2 4S front diff
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 516
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From: Saginaw, Mi
Help with 997.2 4S front diff
Ok so my front diff needs refurb or replacement on my 2009 4S PDK, I checked Ebay, and the two largest dismantlers in the US, LA Dismantlers and DC Auto and NO one seems to have a used unit available. I am also checking with Californiamotorsports,Inc regarding rebuild as well as another rebuilder in Ohio. New units run about $7500 +tax and shipping. Anyone else have any suggestions on other options to ease my pain?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 2,067
From: Southern California
Sorry to read this and wish I had a good answer. From your comments on another thread apparently this was fall-out from the whine you noted? Curious how the determination was made that it needs replacement rather than something less extreme. Porsche dealerships are notorious for declaring very expensive parts toast without a definitive diagnosis.
I suppose if you want to put all options on the table you have to include a 2WD conversion. Biggest issue is probably dealing with all the errors thrown from missing sensors. I've seen the conversion on both the 996 and 997.1 but not before on a 997.2.
I suppose if you want to put all options on the table you have to include a 2WD conversion. Biggest issue is probably dealing with all the errors thrown from missing sensors. I've seen the conversion on both the 996 and 997.1 but not before on a 997.2.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 516
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From: Saginaw, Mi
groovzilla, not 100% sure on the issue, I had it serviced with fluid drain and fill, last Oct. Sounded noisy like drive line whine when I picked it up, went immediately into storage, 8 months later it came out of storage put a couple hundred miles on over the summer and whine kept getting increasingly louder. It is in the shop now with diagnosis needs new front diff. It has been confirmed oil is full and NO leaks present by removing drain plug with weeping of fluid. Case has not been opened for inspection of internals as the Indy doesn't refurb or rebuild so we don't know condition of internals. Californiamotorsports does refurb of seals for approx $1100 plus two way shipping but doesn't if internals are trashed. link to video attached , sounds horrible.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/651oypquov..._4847.MOV?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/651oypquov..._4847.MOV?dl=0
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Northern KY / Cincinnati
Did it sound like this before you changed the fluid? If not, that might be a place to start. There are 2 chambers in the front diff for oil. The diff and the all wheel drive controller. They are supposed to take different fluids, the diff is pretty much 75-95 syn gear oil - 000-043-305-49 and the all wheel controller takes 000-043-305-40 Transmission Oil Front Axle 75-80 (I think this P/N has been superseded by 000 043 209 33). Did they change both? Are both full? And full means it drips out the fill plug hole when the fill plug is removed, not by taking the drain plug out to see if it drips.
Good fortune with the repair and keep posting updates
Good fortune with the repair and keep posting updates
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 516
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From: Saginaw, Mi
Phrog Phlyer yes both were changed and both are full. That's my error I meant to say fill plug not drain plug. I am having the Indy remove and ship it off to Californiamotorsports, Inc for what I hope are seals and bearings.https://californiamotorsports.net/pr...t-diff-service
Last edited by Bomar Shelby; Oct 19, 2021 at 10:47 PM.
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From: Clemson, SC
Sucks when you take in a non-problematic car for what you think is something that will be a good thing to do for it and then you get it back worse than it went in with the potential for a 5 figure bill. When I got it back making a new noise, I would have taken it directly back in rather than storing it for 8 months and then encountering the issue. Good luck with the repair.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 761
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From: Denver
Sorry to hear that. I needed to replace my "front axle assembly" (Part # 99734902054) over the summer after running over some debris. My Indy shop could not find the part anywhere and had to order new from Germany. Took 7 weeks due to shipping delays.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Seattle, Washington
^^I'm really sorry to hear of the differential issue.
Your info on the differential should be useful info for all of the C4 and C4S owners. I've owned 3 996 C4S and 2 997 C4S.& 1 C4 and never heard or experienced any issues front differential having any issues other than a seal seepage.
My 996's had higher mileage at about 114K and one at 117K and never any other services than fluid change.
If it turns out you need a complete unit, it might be a better move and I believe it is possible to disconnect the differential and drive car as a C2 until you source a good used differential with some sort of warranty.
Please keep us posted on what you find out and remedy.
All the best.
Your info on the differential should be useful info for all of the C4 and C4S owners. I've owned 3 996 C4S and 2 997 C4S.& 1 C4 and never heard or experienced any issues front differential having any issues other than a seal seepage.
My 996's had higher mileage at about 114K and one at 117K and never any other services than fluid change.
If it turns out you need a complete unit, it might be a better move and I believe it is possible to disconnect the differential and drive car as a C2 until you source a good used differential with some sort of warranty.
Please keep us posted on what you find out and remedy.
All the best.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 380
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From: Northern KY / Cincinnati
Folklore or not you be the judge. I have seen this written up in a number of places but if the car still needed to be moved or driven it might be worth a try. https://www.rennteam.com/forum/page1.html?vs=0
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 516
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From: Saginaw, Mi
Help with 997.2 4S front diff
Thanks to all for your kindness for the input and suggestions. At this point I have authorized my Indy to remove the front diff pumpkin , drain it and ship it off to Californiamotorsports for examination. If it just needs seals and bearings that service is $1165 and I have heard from some who have gone that route with success. If it turns out the internals are trashed and it can't be refurbished I will probably opt for the kit being sold to convert from AWD back to RWD and continue to drive the car while I search for a good used unit . The labor estimate from the Indy to remove, ship and replace the unit is approx. $3200. There are a few reports on the forum of others that have experienced front diff failure but it is not real common. I think the Indy did everything correctly when the unit was serviced and the failure was merely coincidental. The car does have 80,500 miles on it.
Moving forward I will keep you all posted.
Moving forward I will keep you all posted.