Investigating Drivetrain Noise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
Investigating Drivetrain Noise
Does anyone know if there are any issues with running the vehicle up to speed without having the wheels on the ground? I am trying to determine the cause of a high pitched whine coming from the drivetrain. I just want to make sure I am not going to cause any other damage by running the vehicle while on the lift.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I've never done this, but I can't really imagine it hurting anything on the car... I mean I wouldn't go WOT or anything but I can't think of anything mechanical that would be damaged...
BUT
The car will lurch when you step on the gas even with the wheels off the ground and I'm not sure I'd want my car rocking back and forth on a lift... especially if I was under it looking at the drivetrain
What kind of noise are you investigating?
BUT
The car will lurch when you step on the gas even with the wheels off the ground and I'm not sure I'd want my car rocking back and forth on a lift... especially if I was under it looking at the drivetrain
What kind of noise are you investigating?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
You won't be able to tell anything by doing this the drivetrain must be loaded to find any whine.
If you have and A4 99% of the time it will be the axle if you have a manual 99% of the time it will be the axle.
Does the whine change between drive and coast?
If you have and A4 99% of the time it will be the axle if you have a manual 99% of the time it will be the axle.
Does the whine change between drive and coast?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
2000 FRC MN6 w/17000mi Mods include HCI, Calaway B/B TB, Vararam, Long Tube Tri-Y headers, Corsa Exhaust, Cartek Clutch, DTE Stage II Diff (w/hardened output shaft, 4.10, cradle). Last work done was new RSD Snap Shifter (done just prior to my purchasing).
Whine is not present when coasting.
Whine is not present when coasting.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
You also need to keep in mind that the geometry of the axle shafts will be altered while on a lift since the suspension is hanging. It is not a good idea to go full speed in this state. It will probably put some strain on the cv joints and you probably notice some vibration. If you still plan on doing it, don't forget to completely turn off the traction control or it will activate.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 195
From: Frederick Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Use a pair of jack stands and support the lower control arms. Have the TC off and get it up to speed where the noise is. If I had to guess, it would be the ring and pinion gears. Let us know if/when you find out what the noise is.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids MI
Does it make noise in gear, while decelerating ("engine braking") or ONLY upon acceleration? Is the noise present only accelerating from45-75 or does it continue above 75?
Is the transmission stock?
Is the transmission stock?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Racine WI
No noise when decelerating. Whine is most noticable at a constant speed. Whine is not as noticeable once over 75.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 941
Likes: 3
From: Grand Rapids MI
Be very careful diagnosing based on noise alone. Driveline sounds have a tendency to resonate through the torque tube. I just did a trans rebuild in a car that had the trans done a year ago. The mainshaft had been over-shimmed and the input/cluster were eating each other. You would have bet money the noise was in the bellhousing.
Good luck. Be sure to let us know what you find.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 140
From: Weatherford, TX
Your description is similar to my problem with gear whine. A local shop rebuilt my diff, and a few months later it developed problems. Always a specific 50-60MPH range, it started as a ringing sound, and evolved into a gear whine. I believe it was due to improper setup of my ring/pinion. Sound anything like this video? For mine, I pulled the diff and sent to RPM, and it's worked perfectly since they rebuilt it. 
