Rear Whine
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 82
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From: Arlington Virgina
Rear Whine
My corvette currently has a whine coming from the rear at all speeds. Both rear wheel bearings have been replaced, per the advice of a mechanic, but the noise is still present. Any ideas what to investigate next?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Sounds like you may have some differential problems brewing. Maybe just the pinion bearing receeding, throwing angle off, but you're wanting this looked at really soon, as could get expensive if letting improper ring/pinion contact continue to wear. Good idea replacing the diff carrier roller bearings while at it, as usually pitted. That part shouldn't be to bad, but are sometimes a real PIA to pull off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Don't wait...
pump/suction/siphon out as much of the fluid as possible, re-fill with fresh gear oil, drive a short distance, then repeat. Don't forget the posi additive. I used Lucas Heavy Duty 80/90 gear oil and Trans-X additive. My 2c
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Changing the fluids probably not a bad idea, but somehow dont think thats going to help here. Besides, if taking to a shop for inspection, they're going to do that anyway. Think I'd skip the friction modifier for now, as maybe quiet thing's around turns, can really kill posi lock up when you're really wanting it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Is it the same sound that you had before the bearings were installed? If it is...and the mechanic told you that was due to bad bearings...I would take it back and tell him to find and fix the whine for FREE!! He obviously didn't know where the noise was coming from before.
I would not let him do anything else on your car (for additional money, anyway); but I would 'jack him up' about his mistaken diagnosis.
Does that whine stay the same whether you are accelerating or decelerating? If so, it's unlikely to be the gears in the differential. It could be the bearings in the differential, however. Get the diffy fluid checked-out/changed ASAP.
I would not let him do anything else on your car (for additional money, anyway); but I would 'jack him up' about his mistaken diagnosis.
Does that whine stay the same whether you are accelerating or decelerating? If so, it's unlikely to be the gears in the differential. It could be the bearings in the differential, however. Get the diffy fluid checked-out/changed ASAP.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Virgina
Ok, my dad went ahead and changed the differential fluid with the help of a neighbor, they used some sort of lucas differential oil. The noise is present on acceleration and deceleration. If it is bearings in the differential, anyone know a good shop in the Delaware area that could do this? Any idea on price?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 10
From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
Just went through this with the '76. From experience with a prior car, I pumped out the old fluid (probably 35 years old! and not full) and pumped in new fluid and added the additive. The noise and wierd sounds all went away and now she is quiet as a church mouse!The former owner had it written down that the car had worn axle stubs -but it was never confirmed by removing the cover).
I had the same experience with an '86 Trans Am when it was 2 years old and GM told me that I needed a new rear under warranty. My mechanic told me that the gear oil they used was probably not for a posi rear and that I should change the fluid - I changed the fluid and the noise went away.
Sorry - didn't see your prior post! On the '86 I used Whale Oil from a speed shop - make sure that you use the posi additive.
Nice easy fix! Hopefully, this is what you have. It's worth a try to change the fluid first before getting into dismantling the rear.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 6
From: CT
Sounds like worn gears, you would have to check the lash and pattern to see. If you're going to drop it out it's best to go through it and rebuild it right. I've done this on my cars but then my Dad builds them to hold high HP so I have had some insight into them. Good luck.
