Differential "Howling" at 40-50 mph
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
Differential "Howling" at 40-50 mph
My differential seems to be howling at 40-50 mph. Can anyone give me a cause for this? Is it an indication that a rebuild is in order and if so, what kind of rebuild; new ring and pinion gears, limited slip clutches, etc. Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Is this problem a sudded accurance, or has it gotten worse over time?
Improperly adjusted ring & pinion can cause a diff to howl. Have you checked the oil level? It could be any number of problems; bearing failure, Low oil Level, bad trailing arm bearing, Tire rubbing etc.
Let us know what you find.
DR. Jay
Improperly adjusted ring & pinion can cause a diff to howl. Have you checked the oil level? It could be any number of problems; bearing failure, Low oil Level, bad trailing arm bearing, Tire rubbing etc.
Let us know what you find.
DR. Jay
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
Thanks Dr. Jay! I have only had the car for about a month and driven it about 200-250 miles. I took the car to my local Chevy service department shortly after I brought it home and asked them to change the lubricant and additives in the differential, however, their tech was unable to remove the plug (go figure). So, I am unsure as to fluid level. I know that it isn't a tire rubbing or anything like that as I have been driving and racing cars for 43 years. I suspect that it is either low fluid level or ring & pinion adjustment, but then I am not a differential expert by any means. Are there any differential experts out there that can weigh-in on this?
Last edited by proracr; Jan 31, 2006 at 04:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Does it happen when coasting or accelerating. Mine were howling when coasting and would quiet down when accelerating. It turned out tha tthe gears were toast. I rebuilt it with new gears and properly set them up and the yare very quiet now. There is no adjustment on the gears.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Could be the gears or a bearing. May not even be in the rear end as tires can give you crazy howl if they get old and hard. New gears,depending on the make can howl too- even properly setup ones.
Since you are new to this car you probably don't know the history. Depending on where you bought it the history may even be " altered" somewhat from fact. Get the car to some one who can remove the fill plug and check the oil level. Have it sucked out and replace it with new GM posi additive and 90 wt gear oil. There were some here who used Royal Purple? and had good results. If that don't work swap a set of tired from another car to see if they are the problem before you go into the time and MONEY to rebuild the differential. New Gear alone (for good ones) are $275-$300 maybe more.
Good luck, let me know if you have any questions.
Gary
Since you are new to this car you probably don't know the history. Depending on where you bought it the history may even be " altered" somewhat from fact. Get the car to some one who can remove the fill plug and check the oil level. Have it sucked out and replace it with new GM posi additive and 90 wt gear oil. There were some here who used Royal Purple? and had good results. If that don't work swap a set of tired from another car to see if they are the problem before you go into the time and MONEY to rebuild the differential. New Gear alone (for good ones) are $275-$300 maybe more.
Good luck, let me know if you have any questions.
Gary
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
I think that it was howling on acceleration and deceleration, but worse on deceleration. Sounds like it probably needs a rebuild.
Last edited by proracr; Jan 31, 2006 at 06:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
Thanks gtr1999, but I will probably pull the carrier unit out of the car and send it to Yogi Bair's for the rebuild or have it done locally if I can find a competent shop as I don't have the tools and facilities to do it here at home as I am renting and don't have a garage or workbench.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
gtr1999, would it be possible to have you email me your paper? I have an 81.
danny.cunniff@adelphia.net
Thanks
danny.cunniff@adelphia.net
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Marietta ga
Originally Posted by gtr1999
Well, if you want the paper to do the job let me know.
Gary
Gary
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Sorry I wrote it for the Eatons used in the 65-79's. Some of the procedures can be used for the 80-82 but the posi is different. You're still welcome to read it,just pm me your email and I'll send it to you.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Peterborough Ontario
diff noisy i work for gm and teach diff repair
Originally Posted by proracr
My differential seems to be howling at 40-50 mph. Can anyone give me a cause for this? Is it an indication that a rebuild is in order and if so, what kind of rebuild; new ring and pinion gears, limited slip clutches, etc. Thanks
How long has it been going on ?
what work has been done to it and when ?
Is the diff warm or cold ?
Let me know and then we can talk
MIke
