Differential noise
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Differential noise
My differential makes a whinning noise while maintaining speed, any where from 25 mph on up. If you let off on the gas or accelerate it goes away. Had the diff. rebuilt during the restoration (new bearings and seals). The mechanic says he set all specifications to factory specs and that the only way to get rid of the noise is to replace the ring and pinion gear set. Since the car was not driveable when I got it, I don't know if it made the noise before. I sure hate to have to pull the diff. out again since the car is done. Have about 500 miles on it so far. Any opinions, recommendations. Also I used GM gear oil and 1 bottle of GM additive. Thanks in advance. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: Differential noise (Clay78)
Here are a couple links from “Randy’s Ring and Pinion” http://www.ring-pinion.com/home.html
Diagnosing Noise, Part 1
http://www.ring-pinion.com/gear/g0198.html
Diagnosing Noise, Part 2
http://www.ring-pinion.com/gear/g0298.html
Diagnosing Noise, Part 1
http://www.ring-pinion.com/gear/g0198.html
Diagnosing Noise, Part 2
http://www.ring-pinion.com/gear/g0298.html
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Differential noise (Clay78)
Mine does the same thing with new richmond gears. The richmond has a different cut for more strength. The drawback is this slight whinning. Change out the gear oil after break in if not already done. Youll be fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 6
From: Charles Town WV
Re: Differential noise (Clay78)
I just had mine rebuilt. Is it a loud whining? I'm told they all whine a little bit, and you can hear it more in a Vette due to the fact that it's bolted to the frame and your sitting right on top of it. Mine had a REALLY loud howl, and after a COMPLETE rebuild just barely whines if you listen for it. It has gotten progressivly better the more I drive it. Mine was replaced with a GM 3.70 R&P, not a Richmond. It was new, not used.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Differential noise (Steve Straus)
Thanks for the links above. I get a noise.... not quite a howl, but a distinctive audible whine, only when I let OFF the gas, ie coasting, or decelleration. The noise diagnosis links say the following:
. If the gears howl during deceleration only, it's possible that the pinion-bearing preload has loosened.
I wonder what that means?? :confused:
MJ
. If the gears howl during deceleration only, it's possible that the pinion-bearing preload has loosened.
I wonder what that means?? :confused:
MJ
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Differential noise (MNJack)
It means that the pinion nut has loosened. When you set up the rears the pinion should spin by itself wit ha little drag on it. I think it is like 15 inch pounds. That is not much but there is a drag. Either the bearings have worn down a little or the nut has loosened. I have seen the nut loosen on a 12 bolt but have no experience on having that happen on a Vette rear. Same principle on both rears.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Re: Differential noise (Steve Straus)
It's a pretty loud whine. Have to turn up the stereo quite high to cover it up. If I have the gears replaced is it better to go with GM or aftermarket? :smash: :cheers:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke Virginia
Re: Differential noise (MNJack)
Thanks for the links above. I get a noise.... not quite a howl, but a distinctive audible whine, only when I let OFF the gas, ie coasting, or decelleration. The noise diagnosis links say the following:
. If the gears howl during deceleration only, it's possible that the pinion-bearing preload has loosened.
I wonder what that means?? :confused:
MJ
. If the gears howl during deceleration only, it's possible that the pinion-bearing preload has loosened.
I wonder what that means?? :confused:
MJ
