My pinion seal is gone again after 35k km (slight leak). First one lasted to 105k but I suspect it was leaking long before I changed it (bought the car at 54k km). I guess I dodged a bullet driving around with low fluid for such a long time (before I changed it the first time). Looking at the cost of new diffs has me maniacal about checking the gear oil fluid level. I'll take a $300 seal replacement every couple years all day every day over a $10k new diff. I guess the quaflife diff is a good cheaper alternative in that situation however.

 

i have a 2011 XFR, does that mean I am safe from this diff issue?

the reason i ask is because sometimes i feel a rumbling in the steering wheel when im turning from a stop sign at low speeds. kinda feels like im driving on gravel

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that sounds like your diff to me. And I've had mine replaced so I know the feeling in this car. It's caused by the clutch packs not allowing the wheels turn at different speeds.

 

oh f**k me

what other tests can I do to determine? does it have to be 100% replaced or can it be salvaged if its not too bad.

also, would it be considered under powertrain? the dealership i purchased from gave me a 1000 mile powertrain warranty. (which i think i just finished)

 

I'd be very surprise if the Diff was not considered part of the powertrain warranty, since it is part of the powertrain. Hopefully you can go this route....

 

Wait really? I have this vibration in the steering wheel also, when turning at low speeds.. Galpin dealership said they have quite few come in with same problem and there's not much they can do about it but never mentioned rear diff.. Another mechanic said its nothing and I think I have a thread on here were others said it doesn't sound like a rear diff issue?

 

i recently changed my tires and i dont feel it a lot anymore. i feel it SLIGHTLY but not so much. actually i feel it when the car is still warming up. after ive driven it for a bit i dont feel it as much.

im trying to remember, i think i felt the same on my 09 XF...which wasnt supercharged, had the 4.2 V8 engine.

 

A characteristic of some XFs is a thing called "tyre (or tire) slip", and that may be what you are experiencing, see here: Creek on full lock

 

thanks! it does certainly feel like tyre slip. its like trying to find traction as i am accelerating....as if i am accelerating on rocks. no creeking or sounds

 

Glad that I was wrong! That's the tough part about internet diagnosing.

 

i mean, im only wishfully thinking its tire slip. the symptoms i have feel like a little bit of both (differential and tire slip). im going to make an appointment to see the diff oil level, possibly changing the diff oil

when i was getting my tires changed, the mechanic spun one wheel and the opposite wheel spun the other way as it was supposed to....so i guess the diff cant be that bad?

but for sure when i turn a corner from a complete stop, at almost full lock...i feel something weird and i end up chirping the tires because then i give it a little too much gas.

 

Does anyone have a listing of all parts required when fitting a new quaife diff? Is it basically just the diff plus all new seals or is there more hardware required. I think I'll replace my pinion/output seals one more time and just keep topping up the diff at specific intervals until it starts to whine, then shell out the $$$ for a new diff

 

Well a used one can be found here
Differential Rear Buy Spares for Jaguar XF (Differentials and Parts)

 

The problem is that the Quaife diff requires a serviceable diff in order to do the upgrade. I was told that directly from Quaife when I inquired about their diff as part of the troubleshooting process on my car.

 

When you say serviceable diff I'm not totally sure what you mean. I thought it was a matter of taking the old diff out of the case and putting the new quaife diff in. Am I off base here?

Also how did you wind up sorting out your diff issue? Mine goes in for new seals on Thursday and I'm hoping that at least buys me a bit of time....

 

I believe you need to remove components from the old diff and install them on the Quaife before dropping it into the case.

 

Ah I see. Thanks for the clarification.

 

Here's the reply I got from Martin Slade from Quaife:

"It’s entirely possible the QDf3W will be the right ATB unit for your car, although it’s hard to be 100 per cent certain. If you could send some photos of you diff, it may help. Please bear in mind that this a LSD upgrade for an “normal” diff and relies on the original unit being serviceable. If, for example, your crown wheel and pinion are worn or damaged, this will be no benefit at all, as these parts need to be transferred, so it’s important to understand just how your unit has failed. There are no installation guides as this is not a serviceable item in jaguars eyes, however most transmission specialist can fit them successfully using their experience. We’ve sold dozens around the work so I’m sure it’s entirely do-able.
Shipping to your part of the world will be circa £ 100 to $120, I can be more precise if you can forward a shipping address
Please let me know if I can help further

Best wishes

Martin"

In the end my issue turned out to be a bad wheel bearing, not the diff, phew! I've now done 2 fluid swaps and have my fingers crossed.

 

I don't have any personal experience with this, with my XF, but I just happened to be reading through this discussion. HOWEVER, your description of the condition sounds a lot like what a GM limited slip differential does, when the incorrect lubricant is in the rear axle.


GM "positraction" axles use a gear oil with a special friction modifier in the oil, which allows the LSD clutches to slip, IN A SPECIFIC AMOUNT. Too much of this additive allows the clutches to slip too much, so the LSD doesn't "lock up" enough, so one wheel drives, one wheel doesn't. Too little, and the clutches lock up too tightly, when turning, so the clutches "chatter".


I wonder if a change of gear oil, to something like the GM spec fluid, at the proper fill level for the diff, would fix the problem.


Just throwing that out there...........

 

Thanks for posting this