Whining noise while driving

[bkb88]

Hey guys I have had a whining noise going on since I've owned the car and has progressively gotten worse. It sounds like it is coming from the driveshaft that connects with the rear diff at the point where it meets up to the transfer case. It will stop as soon as I let off the gas while going down the highway. The noise gets higher pitched as I gain speed and will make a winding down noise when I come to a stop and the car is still in gear. Any ideas on what this could be? BTW I don't think I am experiencing a rear end problem because the noise is coming from somewhere close to my center console, I don't think it's high enough up to be the transmission either.

 

[little x]

I know you don't think they are the culprit, but when did you last change the fluid in the rear diff, transmission, and transfer case? It sounds like one of those is your culprit. I'd try changing the fluids in all of them if you haven't recently.

 

[bkb88]

I changed my rear diff fluid about 5 months ago with full synthetic Lucas Oil gear lube. I had my transfer case fluid changed back in the fall of 09' but I haven't changed my transmission fluid recently. I keep an eye on it to make sure its full though. It really sounds like a bearing is going out or something. Is there a bearing in the area of the driveshaft that commonly goes out on these Explorers?

 

[92exp4x4]

The most common area for noise is gears in the rear axle, but you could be onto something with your thought on bearings. From where you say the noise is coming I would guess the transfercase. Unfortunatly you have no idea if it was let low on fluid in the past. I do know that the case has a gear driven oil pump in it to supply the input/rear output shaft and bearings with lube. Sounds to me that you may need a rebuild. Check the simple stuff first though like u joints and fluid levels.

 

[my pos mounty]

I changed my rear diff fluid about 5 months ago with full synthetic Lucas Oil gear lube. I had my transfer case fluid changed back in the fall of 09' but I haven't changed my transmission fluid recently. I keep an eye on it to make sure its full though. It really sounds like a bearing is going out or something. Is there a bearing in the area of the driveshaft that commonly goes out on these Explorers?

Sounds as though it could be your pinion bearing.
When you changed your rear diff fluid 5 months ago, did you really give the old fluid a good looking over? See any tiny gold flecks in it? Real tough to see, but visible. That is a sure indication to a bearing grinding up and failing.
If it is real bad you might be able to actually feel if it is the problem. Remove the rear driveshaft and grab hold of the flange on the rear axle assembly. If there is any slop or play in it (up/down or in/out), you have found the source of your whine.

 

[bkb88]

Sounds as though it could be your pinion bearing.
When you changed your rear diff fluid 5 months ago, did you really give the old fluid a good looking over? See any tiny gold flecks in it? Real tough to see, but visible. That is a sure indication to a bearing grinding up and failing.
If it is real bad you might be able to actually feel if it is the problem. Remove the rear driveshaft and grab hold of the flange on the rear axle assembly. If there is any slop or play in it (up/down or in/out), you have found the source of your whine.

Yes thinking back there were an aweful lot of silver metal shavings that had accumulated on the fill plug. So if the pinion bearing was the problem would it still sound like the noise was coming from the center console rather than the rear? It is really hard to pinpoint the noise but that is where it is loudest it seems.