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axle / wheel noise - and leak - 02 WS6

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Old 06-10-2023 | 04:09 PM
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Default axle / wheel noise - and leak - 02 WS6

update again: axles are pitted and worn, decided to get a new 9" rear. still hearing noises from carrier, will update what I find.





new video:














hey guys, trying to diagnose a loud noise coming from the rear. It is happening on BOTH passenger and driver sides. It seems to start around 35 MPH and getting louder. Here are some videos:

https://youtube.com/shorts/CLH66v6H9ss?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/X1O4F4O7zq8?feature=share

Also, there is some gear oil leak, on the passenger side.





it seems there is some play in the wheels, when wiggling the tires. There is also a constant noise with the wheels spinning. It appears to be on BOTH sides. I am not sure if this is a differential issue or more of the axles/wheel bearings. I put a stethoscope on the pumpkin, I did not hear any weird grinding noises or anything really loud. I checked the front pinion area/u joint, I did not see any slop or play. Car only has 60k miles. What are your thoughts ??

Last edited by slothman; 06-21-2023 at 10:15 PM.
Old 06-10-2023 | 06:54 PM
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I'd pull the cover and look for shavings stuck to the round magnet. Some very fine shavings is normal wear, but a large accumulation could mean bearing or gear wear. Has the car been maintained properly including rear lube changes? A4 or M6? The backlash at the wheel doesn't seem too abnormal. With the axle fully suspended, can you spin one wheel (trans in park or gear)? If it takes less then ~100 ft-lb to turn the wheel, the diff may be toast.

If the diff checks out, you may need to pull the axles and inspect the wheel bearings.

The wetness on the pass tube could be from the vent tube (I can't remember which side its on). If it isn't dripping, then I wouldn't be too worried about that.
Old 06-10-2023 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag
I'd pull the cover and look for shavings stuck to the round magnet. Some very fine shavings is normal wear, but a large accumulation could mean bearing or gear wear. Has the car been maintained properly including rear lube changes? A4 or M6? The backlash at the wheel doesn't seem too abnormal. With the axle fully suspended, can you spin one wheel (trans in park or gear)? If it takes less then ~100 ft-lb to turn the wheel, the diff may be toast.

If the diff checks out, you may need to pull the axles and inspect the wheel bearings.

The wetness on the pass tube could be from the vent tube (I can't remember which side its on). If it isn't dripping, then I wouldn't be too worried about that.
I just got this car. I do know about 7k miles ago they changed the gear lube. They probably heard some noises. To me the driveshaft looks damn near new and or replaced. Car is a M6. Stock motor. I suppose I need to pull the cover, as you suggest, and inspect. Am I looking for broken teeth etc ?

Old 06-12-2023 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by slothman
I just got this car. I do know about 7k miles ago they changed the gear lube. They probably heard some noises. To me the driveshaft looks damn near new and or replaced. Car is a M6. Stock motor. I suppose I need to pull the cover, as you suggest, and inspect. Am I looking for broken teeth etc ?
Can't rule out anything at this point. If you did break off a gear tooth (like I did, check the link in my sig), it will be immediately obvious when you pull the cover. However, when the gear breaks off a tooth, you'll notice a big increase in noise that happens immediately. If the noise has grown gradually over time, look for worn bearings. If the rear has had proper maintenance, 60Kmi is likely much too early for bearing issues, If its been neglected, then anything could be bad.
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Old 06-12-2023 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag
Can't rule out anything at this point. If you did break off a gear tooth (like I did, check the link in my sig), it will be immediately obvious when you pull the cover. However, when the gear breaks off a tooth, you'll notice a big increase in noise that happens immediately. If the noise has grown gradually over time, look for worn bearings. If the rear has had proper maintenance, 60Kmi is likely much too early for bearing issues, If its been neglected, then anything could be bad.
I agree. either way, cover has to come off. if it is the wheel bearings, axles have to come out.
Old 06-14-2023 | 04:00 PM
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new video posted at top of page
Old 06-14-2023 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag
With the axle fully suspended, can you spin one wheel (trans in park or gear)? If it takes less then ~100 ft-lb to turn the wheel, the diff may be toast.

The wetness on the pass tube could be from the vent tube (I can't remember which side its on). If it isn't dripping, then I wouldn't be too worried about that.
The '100 ft-lb' refers to an Auburn posi that has friction clutches, this vehicle has a Torsen posi and does not have clutches.
The vent tube IS on the passenger side.
Old 06-14-2023 | 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by FirstYrLS1Z
The '100 ft-lb' refers to an Auburn posi that has friction clutches, this vehicle has a Torsen posi and does not have clutches.
The vent tube IS on the passenger side.
any insight on the noise from the updated video ?
Old 06-14-2023 | 06:37 PM
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No. The noise occurs once per carrier revolution, I watched the video a few times to determine where/when the 'noise' occurs. If the noise were in the pinion, it would/should occur 3 1/2 times per carrier revolution since you have 3.42 gears. So it's coming from within the carrier. Torsens are an unusual posi, a design we're not familiar with to diagnose noises. But since you have an M6 which are very abusive towards our little 10 bolts, it wouldn't surprise me if there was something broken within it. Torsen stopped supplying that posi years ago and replacements are not available. they replaced it with a 'heavy duty' design.
Old 06-14-2023 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by FirstYrLS1Z
No. The noise occurs once per carrier revolution, I watched the video a few times to determine where/when the 'noise' occurs. If the noise were in the pinion, it would/should occur 3 1/2 times per carrier revolution since you have 3.42 gears. So it's coming from within the carrier. Torsens are an unusual posi, a design we're not familiar with to diagnose noises. But since you have an M6 which are very abusive towards our little 10 bolts, it wouldn't surprise me if there was something broken within it. Torsen stopped supplying that posi years ago and replacements are not available. they replaced it with a 'heavy duty' design.
possible carrier bearing?

I am trying to determine if it's worth it at this point to pull the axles and the third member. Or say F it and pull the whole assembly.
Old 06-14-2023 | 07:58 PM
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The clack-click-clack sound is not of a carrier bearing, a carrier bearing going/gone would 'growl' and not always in 'time' with carrier revolution.

My driver side carrier bearing back in 2004.


Old 06-14-2023 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by FirstYrLS1Z
The clack-click-clack sound is not of a carrier bearing, a carrier bearing going/gone would 'growl' and not always in 'time' with carrier revolution.

My driver side carrier bearing back in 2004.
listening to that sound, could we rule out the wheel bearings ? you are thinking the Torsen LSD is making that sound ?
well for about $550 I can go eaton posi and 3.90/4.10s....I plan on keeping it pretty stock with street tires ....do you think that would be ok ?
second option is buy a used complete axle....dont really like that idea because well....it's used
third option get the 9 inch for $2500 but I know for sure that **** is gonna take 6 months to get all the parts
I'm not tracking this car I'm taking it to shows and coffee lol
Old 06-15-2023 | 06:39 PM
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got the axles out. shafts dont show any wear from the bearings. in fact I can still see the bluing lol. The splines look good too.
Old 06-16-2023 | 10:06 AM
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It sounds like something is rolling around on the inside of the differential to me. It appears that the driver-side wheel is not rotating due to that side's side gear not spinning (and your friend is spinning the passenger side wheel). No obvious evidence on the magnet. Not sure you can rule out side bearings yet. Pull the diff out and check them (careful to keep the shim stacks separate).
Old 06-16-2023 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag
It sounds like something is rolling around on the inside of the differential to me. It appears that the driver-side wheel is not rotating due to that side's side gear not spinning (and your friend is spinning the passenger side wheel). No obvious evidence on the magnet. Not sure you can rule out side bearings yet. Pull the diff out and check them (careful to keep the shim stacks separate).
Mark the bearing caps as they're not interchangeable with each other and for orientation. I use a center punch to put a punch mark on each cap near the top. one punch mark-drivers' side, two punch marks-passenger side.
Old 06-16-2023 | 06:18 PM
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ok not sure what I was thinking but here are the axles. do they look damaged ? also, I am having one helluva time removing the diff/gear. the caps are off, c clips, etc and it's not coming out.






Last edited by slothman; 06-16-2023 at 06:23 PM.
Old 06-16-2023 | 06:58 PM
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Axle bearing surfaces are not damaged.
When the axle was assembled at the factory with the carrier, bearings and shims, the use a 'case spreader' to force open the case for insertion of the parts. So when the parts are in, the 'squeezing' puts proper preload on the bearings. Yes it's difficult to remove, and difficult to re-install with the proper preload. I made my own case spreader.


Old 06-16-2023 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by FirstYrLS1Z
Axle bearing surfaces are not damaged.
When the axle was assembled at the factory with the carrier, bearings and shims, the use a 'case spreader' to force open the case for insertion of the parts. So when the parts are in, the 'squeezing' puts proper preload on the bearings. Yes it's difficult to remove, and difficult to re-install with the proper preload. I made my own case spreader.
hmm I am getting different answers on the axles, some are saying they need replacement. I did notice some slight pitting on one of them.
Old 06-17-2023 | 02:21 AM
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I just noticed the pitting in the 2nd pic.
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Old 06-17-2023 | 08:59 AM
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The potential problem you're gonna have would be replacement axles because you have traction control. They all come from 'offshore' now.
Here's a recent thread about that.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axl...loose-hub.html


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