ZAD54, what did the car do(symptons) to tell you it was the pinion bearing? I am having a problem and have been told thats what it might be.

thanks,
jeff

 

The biggest sign that I had a problem was the 80-90 running all over the garage floor. Since I don't know, this is a guess, but I think the bearing crewed up the seal and caused it to leak. The noise it was making wasn't a gear noise, it was more of a high pitch squeal, more like metal to metal. I believe Jabbott would still remember what my problem was and be glad to tell you if you asked him. Oh, and the problem was not the installers fault (Jabbott), they had a bad batch of bearing or seals. When I got it back, everythying was fine. I hope yours is something simple, that rear can be a pain in the rear :lol: to remove and install. Good luck

 

My experiences with axle ratio changes is that if the shop screws up the installation, it will whine and the shop will claim that it's 'normal' for that type of axle. Obviously because they don't want to do the job over again and get it right.

When I had the ring and pinion changed from 3.07 to 3.73 in my K-5 Blazer, I found that the front axle would whine after the change. Santa Clara Truck claimed that this was normal for these 4x4 front axles. When I pointed out that the front axle was identical to the rear axle on the K-5 Blazer and so why wasn't the rear axle whining too, they blew up at me and told me they didn't need customers like me. Apparently, they need customers that will accept shoddy work. Needless to say, I wasn't a customer after that.

I should have gotten a clue when I initially found that my brakes weren't working properly... because they had screwed up reinstalling the brake pads... they were falling off the rotor! So I warn anyone not to go to Santa Clara Truck now (formerly Santa Clara Truck Wreckers, I believe... or maybe they've changed their name to Santa Clara Auto, I don't remember). They are both rude _and_ incompetent.

Really though... I've been thinking about switching to 4.10 on my Corvette. And all this talk that whining after installation is common makes me really really wonder if it's worth the hassle. I guess I'd ask the shop ahead of time what their remedy is if it whines. I'd only get it done at a place that guaranteed they'd do it right... or redo it if they screw it up.

Remember... low gearing like that is often OEM on full sized trucks... which often use the same rear ends. They don't whine from the factory. So why should it whine after a gear change?

- Skant

 

I've got 4.11 gears in my Dana 44 & there's no gear whine at any speed, excellerating or during decellerating. Toms Differential sells the 4.11 gear for the Corvettes. You might look Tom up in the archives for his e-mail & phone number and ask a few questions. I had a local shop, Abacus Racing set up my gears & they have experience with setting gears for there race cars & others vintage, classic & other race cars. I have no noise at all out of the gears & I use the GM gear lube & additive. You might have to pull the rear again & have them check your gear setup.


[Modified by ENJ, 6:01 PM 1/5/2003]

 

I bought them from the shop that was doing the work. Actually I think the shop pulled everythjing apart and then had someone else do the setup. I don't want to mention their name right now. Want to give them a chance to make things right. They are a Corvette shop and have done many of these changes. I'll see if they will work to make it right or just blow me off. If they blow me off I will let everyone know who they are.
The box has "Dana ICA HD 4.11 Thick R&P" printed on it. That's all.

 

Both my factory Dana 36 with 2.59 gears and my Dana 44 now in my car with 3.07 gears, that I rebuilt myself, have the same amount of whine.
When the gear oil is cold or a day that it doesn't get too warm, I have no whine. When the gear oil warms up, I have a very slight whine when cruising. I never have any whine in coast or under load.
Since the original Dana 36 acted the same way for the entire 60000 miles I had it, I imagine that this amount is normal.
Also, when I had the Goodrich CompTA tires on the car, they made enough noise that I didn't hear any whine from either rear.

Tom Piper

 

I have a bit of whine with my 3.54s, but it's very manageable (read - only heard softly on decelleration).

 

if you have whine your gear was not setup right :cheers:

 

AMEN :blueangel:

I only know enough to be dangerous on the subject...if they sing on "coast" it means one thing was done wrong. If they sing under acelleration it means something else was done wrong. Like not deep enough or too deep. Now that it's clear as mud, can you dig it? ;)

 

:iagree:

 

I've taken the Vette back to the shop. They're going to take a look at it. I'll see what happens.
Corkvette1, I grew up in the Burg. Moved to Arizona in 1981. :)

 

Good news. I was afraid that they shop was going to blow me off. It was the first time I've dealt with them. But they did the right thing. They pulled everything back out and re-checked the settings. Everything was right on. So they had another gear set over nighted to them and did the install. Everything is quiet now. Just happened to be a gear set that caused a whine.
So I'm a happy camper. And I will deal with them again. :)

 

:cool:

 

:cheers:

 

Very, very :cool:

 

Thanks to everyone on the forum for their comments. :)

 

Great news, glad it all worked out.