Noisy diff
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2009
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Noisy diff Hi,
My diff is howling when I turn at slow speeds. When I turn really slow (going onto my drive) there is a clunking sound and I can actually feel it!
Does anyone have any ideas what it may be?
The car hasn't been driven since June last year. The diff was replaced last year and the gears changed from the stock 2.73 to 3.23's.
The transmission has just been rebuilt, I drove the car home from the shop yesterday but didn't notice anything wrong then.
Any suggestions guys?
Thanks
My diff is howling when I turn at slow speeds. When I turn really slow (going onto my drive) there is a clunking sound and I can actually feel it!
Does anyone have any ideas what it may be?
The car hasn't been driven since June last year. The diff was replaced last year and the gears changed from the stock 2.73 to 3.23's.
The transmission has just been rebuilt, I drove the car home from the shop yesterday but didn't notice anything wrong then.
Any suggestions guys?
Thanks
Sounds like whoever did the gear swap may have messed up when they reinstalled the ring/pinion or the posi unit itself.
I wouldnt drive it anymore for sure until you get a hold of who did the work and see what they have to say. They might not even wanna screw with it b/c its been a year ago but its worth a try.
I wouldnt drive it anymore for sure until you get a hold of who did the work and see what they have to say. They might not even wanna screw with it b/c its been a year ago but its worth a try.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
could possibly be the posi going out. This doesnt mean they screwed up the gear install. I have seen posi's go out not long after a rebuild when I know the rebuild was done correctly. Could just be bad luck. When a posi gets worn out, they will make abnormal noises, particularily around corners.
if they were used gears, chances are they werent setup right unless whoever had them before you had the pattern on them and the backlash specs, and they were setup exactly how they were taken out.
but it sounds like you have a carrier bearing problem on one side.
but it sounds like you have a carrier bearing problem on one side.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2009
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Thanks for the responses.
They are used gears.
If I take the diff cover off do you think I might be able to tell if a carrier bearing is at fault?
I don't know what backlash is but there were no specs with the gears or posi and the mechanic didn't ask for any.
They are used gears.
If I take the diff cover off do you think I might be able to tell if a carrier bearing is at fault?
I don't know what backlash is but there were no specs with the gears or posi and the mechanic didn't ask for any.
Last edited by UKFormula; May 7, 2010 at 05:11 PM. Reason: My comment was mixed in with what I quoted from BWW.
thats one of thoes things you have to take it apart and inspect it. but some signs you can look for is gauling on the rollers inside the bearing, or metal shavings coming from within the bearing. but its hard to see without taking the main caps off.
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Mine does the exact same thing, and has done so since I bought the car almost 2 years and 35,000 miles ago. Its the stock posi unit and has never been rebuilt, everytime Im turning in a parking lot and not on the gas it clunk, clunk, clunks and makes a rubbing noise, but it always hooks positive. About 6 months ago I put 4.10s in, the carrier bearings looked good but I replaced them anyway along with the pinion bearings. But I added friction modifier and now it does it worse, even when only turning slightly. I really could care less though since evidentally its not too importanat of a problem, I bought a set of drag radials in hopes that I can just go ahead and make it explode so Ill have an excuse to replace it 
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Wheaton, Illinois
according to him, it whines and clunks when he is turning slowly. not slowing down.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2009
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That's right, it happens when I'm turning slowly. A whine or howl. If i'm going in a straight line it's as quiet as an ls1 with a stock exhaust (next mod, lol)!
I've not noticed it when I'm slowing down...not sure how a tune could affect the rear...but then this is why I post in the newbie section.
I've not noticed it when I'm slowing down...not sure how a tune could affect the rear...but then this is why I post in the newbie section.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Mine does the exact same thing, and has done so since I bought the car almost 2 years and 35,000 miles ago. Its the stock posi unit and has never been rebuilt, everytime Im turning in a parking lot and not on the gas it clunk, clunk, clunks and makes a rubbing noise, but it always hooks positive. About 6 months ago I put 4.10s in, the carrier bearings looked good but I replaced them anyway along with the pinion bearings. But I added friction modifier and now it does it worse, even when only turning slightly. I really could care less though since evidentally its not too importanat of a problem, I bought a set of drag radials in hopes that I can just go ahead and make it explode so Ill have an excuse to replace it
Registered User
Joined: May 2010
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From: weber city v.a.
I just had the same problem about 2 weeks ago....and i thought it was a ring/pinion problem.....but it was realy my axel barings...there in-side the rear-end....and it will always almost sound like a carrier bearing......but while your in there just do a whole bearing kit...pinion,carier,head,axel,seals,..do not used i repeat DO NOT USE royal purple,,,its not good on rear-end bearings
should only coast 129..for the bearing kit..comes with axel bearings and seals...abvout 150-200 bucks for install
should only coast 129..for the bearing kit..comes with axel bearings and seals...abvout 150-200 bucks for install
Last edited by ls1-junky; May 8, 2010 at 03:49 AM. Reason: forgot to add
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Okay so I jacked the car up this morning and checked the wheels for any play. Then I rotated them by hand, jammed one with a brick and then turned the other...everything seemed smooth. So I dropped the car back down and test drove it...no sign of the howling or the clunking!?!
I drove about 15 miles to go and get some oil etc. When I came to leave the noises had started again.
Now I'm no expert but this makes me think that the mechanic may have used the wrong oil in the diff and it stops functioning when it heats up. Does that sound like sense to any of you? Try changing the diff oil..?
I drove about 15 miles to go and get some oil etc. When I came to leave the noises had started again.
Now I'm no expert but this makes me think that the mechanic may have used the wrong oil in the diff and it stops functioning when it heats up. Does that sound like sense to any of you? Try changing the diff oil..?
