Strange Noise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Strange Noise
I am running a 02 with about 425HP at the wheels with a mild cam, (DTE Built) 390 gears and standard drive train.
Question is in the past several months I am experiencing a gear whine or bearing noise when on the gas and it has been getting louder over time. Mostly on the highway when under power, let of the throttle and it goes away. Also quiets down after time, I assume warm up.
Any ideas? Sounds like its coming from the clutch area but makes more sense for the rear gears.
Question is in the past several months I am experiencing a gear whine or bearing noise when on the gas and it has been getting louder over time. Mostly on the highway when under power, let of the throttle and it goes away. Also quiets down after time, I assume warm up.
Any ideas? Sounds like its coming from the clutch area but makes more sense for the rear gears.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
Same here
I have about 50 miles on new 3:90 gears from WCC. I know they don't do their own rebuilding, so don't know where it actually came from. BUT...almost two distinct noises. Low speed sounds like metal on metal brakes. (They're almost new.) Highway speed is a high pitched gear whine. Not real loud, as the heater will drown it out, but irritating none the less!
Could it be inherent to the 3:90 gears? I hope not, but at the same time, I sure don't want to pull the thing back out and send it away!
Amazing performance difference, by the way! Of course, a lot of that has to do with Chucks, COW, tune!
Could it be inherent to the 3:90 gears? I hope not, but at the same time, I sure don't want to pull the thing back out and send it away!
Amazing performance difference, by the way! Of course, a lot of that has to do with Chucks, COW, tune!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
I have had the gears for a while so the gears never made this noise before. I was just reading another post with a whining noise but mine is only when I am on the gas and getting louder so something is going on.
I like the 390’s but doing it again I would do 373’s. With 425 at the wheels I have to shift too quick in 1st and no traction
I like the 390’s but doing it again I would do 373’s. With 425 at the wheels I have to shift too quick in 1st and no traction
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
Mines an A4
Auto trans here, so there is a huge difference. I had the 3:15 gears before, but could barely spin the tires. Not that I plan on burning up my new Michelins...
I'll get a few miles on the diff and see what the oil looks like, then go from there. Its still freaking winter here in Utah.
I'll get a few miles on the diff and see what the oil looks like, then go from there. Its still freaking winter here in Utah.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
From the ring an pinion. That is what is under load when on and off the throttle. I have a brand new RPM stage-II diff that makes slight noise when on the throttle. Its very upsetting that new gears are doing this, especially because gear noise is one of the reasons I changed the diff. But its in the car now, working great, and way, way less noticeable than my last diff, so I plan to live with it.
Yes, I was very **** with the break in procedure. Im just beginning to think that few in this world can actually build one of these diffs. GM couldn't even get their own diffs right some of the time. Hence why 3.42 cars are always experiencing gear whine.
Yes, I was very **** with the break in procedure. Im just beginning to think that few in this world can actually build one of these diffs. GM couldn't even get their own diffs right some of the time. Hence why 3.42 cars are always experiencing gear whine.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 76
From: Bedford Va.
George you mentioned that you have had the gears for a while.
Is that years? I remember some soft gears back in 2004 or 05.
I had gear noise on a set of 3.90 it toke about 9000 miles.
Replaced them and I probably have 30,000 on this set with only the slightest noise.
Is that years? I remember some soft gears back in 2004 or 05.
I had gear noise on a set of 3.90 it toke about 9000 miles.
Replaced them and I probably have 30,000 on this set with only the slightest noise.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
I was thinking it might be the Diff but sure sounds like its coming from the clutch, or at least up front. I know its hard to tell as the sound could be transmitted along the drive train.
Yes the gears have been several years, probably 10K or more on them. Strange thing is it was fine for a long time but getting worse quick. I even got the hardened gear set micro finish but probably was BS anyway
Yes the gears have been several years, probably 10K or more on them. Strange thing is it was fine for a long time but getting worse quick. I even got the hardened gear set micro finish but probably was BS anyway
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thats why mine has had nose since day one. Great sales ploy they have. 
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
Mine is a new rebuild from WCC!
If it gets any louder I'll go in there myself,,,,,,as I should have done in the first place! I don't know who built mine, but I know I could've done it better! I just didn't want to take the time. Oh, and all this time and I don't have my $1,200.00 core charge refund yet.
Not bad mouthing WCC yet.......
Not bad mouthing WCC yet.......
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
George,
Sorry to hear this. Hope I am not going to find the same thing soon as I installed mine shortly after you did. I did change my fluid twice since installation, once after break in and then a few years later. My Suburban did this for years. Never had any problems with it but it was obnoxious.
Wonder if it could be within the torque tube if it sounds like its coming from the clutch area? Have you tried pulling the shifter boot to get a better idea if it is in the front?
Sorry to hear this. Hope I am not going to find the same thing soon as I installed mine shortly after you did. I did change my fluid twice since installation, once after break in and then a few years later. My Suburban did this for years. Never had any problems with it but it was obnoxious.
Wonder if it could be within the torque tube if it sounds like its coming from the clutch area? Have you tried pulling the shifter boot to get a better idea if it is in the front?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Hi Bob. I am going to change the fluid and see what happens. Funny thing is the noise decreases after about 15 to 20 minutes on the highway. I have notice this getting louder for a while but the other day my wife finally noticed it. So I figured if it is loud enough for her to notice something must be wrong LOL. I can try removing the shifter boot but it really sounds like a howl coming from the clutch area.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Take a closer look....
Hi Bob. I am going to change the fluid and see what happens. Funny thing is the noise decreases after about 15 to 20 minutes on the highway. I have notice this getting louder for a while but the other day my wife finally noticed it. So I figured if it is loud enough for her to notice something must be wrong LOL. I can try removing the shifter boot but it really sounds like a howl coming from the clutch area.
While noises in the rear end and clutch are far from obscure, The rubber guibos of the
torque tube in the older C5s are drying out from age and heat and I see a bad one making
noise almost every week or so in the shop.
If the diff is not leaking and the fluid looks good, you're probably ok.
Noises in the drivetrain TRAVEL and are difficult to track down.
If you're planning to pull it out and check the clutch, you will be very surprised
at the condition of the quibos. It's also not uncommon to have a bent shaft that continues to
eat guibos......
As time goes on, more and more you're going to find C5s eating quibos and torque tubes.
Chuck CoW
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
100% on the mark!
I have seen TOO MANY torque tube couplers in the past MONTH ready to fail. They crack and dry out and become out of round. They can cause under load noises and weird vibrations.
Before you get way deep into the drivetrain,
Give that a shot!
If they are the stock OEM rubber couplers,, look there first!
Check out this post and look at thread #5 for an example of what Chuck is talking about and what we are seeing on old couplers:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ling-help.html
Bill
I have seen TOO MANY torque tube couplers in the past MONTH ready to fail. They crack and dry out and become out of round. They can cause under load noises and weird vibrations.
Before you get way deep into the drivetrain,
Give that a shot!If they are the stock OEM rubber couplers,, look there first!
Check out this post and look at thread #5 for an example of what Chuck is talking about and what we are seeing on old couplers:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ling-help.html
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Hi Bob. I am going to change the fluid and see what happens. Funny thing is the noise decreases after about 15 to 20 minutes on the highway. I have notice this getting louder for a while but the other day my wife finally noticed it. So I figured if it is loud enough for her to notice something must be wrong LOL. I can try removing the shifter boot but it really sounds like a howl coming from the clutch area.
Let us know what you find out.