Hello. Yes, here is another rear end whining thread. I have been searching, but want to ask about my specific problem.

2001 Z06, 120k miles, CAI, long tubes, Borla's, new Spec Stage 1 clutch w/ aluminum flywheel and pressure plate (installed a year ago).

I had just a few months ago bought a set of Hoosier's and had them on for 4 autocross events. Pulled them off & put my street tires back on. Went out for a drive. Had a loud whining from the rear. Noise starts to get noticeable about 55 - 60 mph. No noise when coasting w/ clutch in or out. I don't think it is a rear wheel bearing because that noise will get louder and softer as you steer one way or the other - depending on which side the bad bearing is on. Mine does not change with steering. Only changes with acceleration. No noise when coasting. Noise when on the gas and accelerating. Increases with speed and louder and increasing pitch as I go faster. Noise present in different gears. But only gets noticeable in 4th as I get up over 55 mph. Still there in 5th and 6th gear.

I did notice after the drive, there was some fluid on my rear bumper. I jacked it up and saw the right rear diff seal was working out and leaking. I just got it back from my mechanic. He changed out rear diff seal. But did not drive it. But as I drove it home, the whining noise is still there.....

What do you think??? Ring & pinion???? Entire diff gone bad???

Thanks in advance.

 

I went through a simular situation which my z06 behaved the same. I ended up having the rear differential overhauled. Two trust washers were found broken on disassembly.
All is quiet now. But my wallet is a bit lighter.

 

I've noticed a similar noise in my 02 with 56k as well. Heard around 65-70mph in 6th, I've done three 600+ mile road trips in the car, one being a total of 2100 miles in about 5ish days and the noise was there the whole time. It never changed the entire time flying on the highways. Those trips alone gave me a huge boost of confidence that the diff isn't about to give up. Put the car on the lift recently for the first time since owning it and its got some old runs or drips but never leaves a puddle or wet mark on the floor, even if it sits for weeks. I don't track the car with sticky tires or anything and I don't believe the car was before I came into ownership.

Seems to be a common noise with these cars, but I will be changing the fluid sometime this week once the stuff arrives. Hoping not to find anything scary.

It worries me that you can hear that noise. I am running a stock exhaust system and its noticeable to me, my father and friends. If I get my mother in car, no chance of her hearing it. You're running a setup with quiet a bit more engine noise, I would have to imagine it being pretty loud for it to be heard over the exhaust?

Subscribed.

 

That's what I'm afraid of.... About how much will I be out for a differential overhaul $$$$ ????

 

It worries me that you can hear that noise. I am running a stock exhaust system and its noticeable to me, my father and friends. If I get my mother in car, no chance of her hearing it. You're running a setup with quiet a bit more engine noise, I would have to imagine it being pretty loud for it to be heard over the exhaust?

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Yes. It's loud. I hadn't driven it on the road for almost a couple of months. I had autocross races for a while so I just left the stickies on and trailered it to events. My wife and I were going to cruise in the hills and have lunch. We cut the trip way short and came back home.

 

[/QUOTE]Yes. It's loud. I hadn't driven it on the road for almost a couple of months. I had autocross races for a while so I just left the stickies on and trailered it to events. My wife and I were going to cruise in the hills and have lunch. We cut the trip way short and came back home.[/QUOTE]


Thats what I figured. My car is pretty quiet and the whine is only noticeable with the highway speeds in 6th only. If I drop it down into 5th the exhaust is too loud in combination with road/wind noise to hear the whine, thats with the stock exhaust even thought the Tis are bypassed (not much louder at highway rpms.)

May need to overhaul the rear end, I would let the other chime in before you go ripping into it since you're not dependent on the car aka not DDing.