:sigh: rear end whine.....

[shadowless127]

Getting the lovely rear end whine at highway speeds, about 60-75mph. But it only does it when you're constantly doing that speed, if you just get up into that range and then get out of the gas, you don't hear it. It's not too loud, I only hear it when im a passenger and im looking to hear it, if I'm driving I don't even notice it so it's not TERRIBLE. I'm hoping maybe it's just the tires, but i'm not terribly optimistic.

What are my options here, i'd rather not have to spend $$$ replacing my entire diff.

 

[EasyRhino]

Mine has done it since almost new, now at 94K miles, not gotten worse or better, just whines under acceleration, pretty much at all speeds, but most noticeable around cruising speeds. I will have mine done someday when it takes a dramatic turn for the worse, for now, I turn the radio on/up.

Others have had the thing come apart on them, so go figure.

 

[shadowless127]

Mine has done it since almost new, now at 94K miles, not gotten worse or better, just whines under acceleration, pretty much at all speeds, but most noticeable around cruising speeds. I will have mine done someday when it takes a dramatic turn for the worse, for now, I turn the radio on/up.

Others have had the thing come apart on them, so go figure.

ah ok. Well, i'm taking a trip to Atlantic City this weekend so we'll see what happens. I think i'm going to get my tires rotated, balanced and aligned before the trip too.

 

[btimm86]

have you changed the fluid? If mine was making noise i'd probably try that first. If you have a LS don't forget the friction modifier!

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

A little whine is almost a normal thing on these. I haven't heard one yet that's perfectly quiet, including my own. But if a person isn't listening for it, they'll probably never give it a second thought.

All rear differentials make a certain amount of noise. The ones like this that have aluminum cases tend to make more, and I'm convinced it's because the aluminum isn't as good of a sound deadener as cast iron is. Prove it to yourself...Take an aluminum skillet and smack it with a spoon and it makes a loud "bonnnnggg", where a cast iron skillet just makes a dull "thud".

The Jeep Grand Cherokees with aluminum Dana rear ends whined like crazy too, but the cast iron ones were (usually) very quiet.

 

[EasyRhino]

A little whine is almost a normal thing on these. I haven't heard one yet that's perfectly quiet, including my own. But if a person isn't listening for it, they'll probably never give it a second thought.

All rear differentials make a certain amount of noise. The ones like this that have aluminum cases tend to make more, and I'm convinced it's because the aluminum isn't as good of a sound deadener as cast iron is. Prove it to yourself...Take an aluminum skillet and smack it with a spoon and it makes a loud "bonnnnggg", where a cast iron skillet just makes a dull "thud".

The Jeep Grand Cherokees with aluminum Dana rear ends whined like crazy too, but the cast iron ones were (usually) very quiet.

I had not thought of the difference between the aluminum and cast iron pumpkin sound/vibration transmission of noise.

That said, I am pretty satisfied that if the noise is not increasing at an alarming rate that these are okay for use. Mine made the trip from the Atlantic to Pacific coast three years ago in the heat, running all day at highway speeds, with no change.

I will probably change the fluid to see if that helps, again, no hurry on that either.

I am actually considering swapping out the trailer towing package 3.73 gears for some 3.27s for purposes of improving gas mileage (but have not done the 'long math" to determine if it is worth it).

 

[shadowless127]

A little whine is almost a normal thing on these. I haven't heard one yet that's perfectly quiet, including my own. But if a person isn't listening for it, they'll probably never give it a second thought.

All rear differentials make a certain amount of noise. The ones like this that have aluminum cases tend to make more, and I'm convinced it's because the aluminum isn't as good of a sound deadener as cast iron is. Prove it to yourself...Take an aluminum skillet and smack it with a spoon and it makes a loud "bonnnnggg", where a cast iron skillet just makes a dull "thud".

The Jeep Grand Cherokees with aluminum Dana rear ends whined like crazy too, but the cast iron ones were (usually) very quiet.

Thanks for the info.

Hopefully I'll be able to get the fluid flushed and replaced saturday.

 

[shadowless127]

Just called the dealer...bringing her in tuesday night to have them fix the driver's heated seat and to take a look at my rear diff...all under warranty .