differential whine
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
differential whine
I recently swapped the differential in my C5 auto from the stock 2.73 to a 3.42 out of a car with 60k miles. I had a professional shop install it, and they did inspect it, found no signs of excessive wear, the clutches were in great shape, install was smooth. But now that it's installed and the car has been tuned, there is a small amount of diff whine at speeds over about 55mph. I've heard the whine of a dying diff before, and it doesn't really sound like that, more of a faint but noticeable hum. The shop manager said it is not uncommon and isn't a problem.
Do you guys think I should get a second opinion?
Do you guys think I should get a second opinion?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 635
From: Dallas TX
whine on coast or drive side?
Or all the time?
Get up to speed and drop the car into neutral... does it still do it?
-Could be rear wheel bearing
-could be in the torque tube
-could be something in the trans
BUT if it wasnt a noise that was there before...then yea, likely something up with the diff.
Or all the time?
Get up to speed and drop the car into neutral... does it still do it?
-Could be rear wheel bearing
-could be in the torque tube
-could be something in the trans
BUT if it wasnt a noise that was there before...then yea, likely something up with the diff.
Last edited by rjacobs; Aug 1, 2021 at 10:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
whine on coast or drive side?
Or all the time?
Get up to speed and drop the car into neutral... does it still do it?
-Could be rear wheel bearing
-could be in the torque tube
-could be something in the trans
BUT if it wasnt a noise that was there before...then yea, likely something up with the diff.
Or all the time?
Get up to speed and drop the car into neutral... does it still do it?
-Could be rear wheel bearing
-could be in the torque tube
-could be something in the trans
BUT if it wasnt a noise that was there before...then yea, likely something up with the diff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 635
From: Dallas TX
MIGHT try a re-torque on the pinion nut. I have HEARD that helping a few guys. Not necessarily an "easy" task, but do-able. I know there was a thread around here somewhere. The torque on it is 370 ft. lbs...
Thats if the belleville washers and lsd clutches, as you say, are really good, and not broken.
I would likely get a second opinion if you arent sure. A diff that whines will start to make metal and then its all down hill from there...ask me how I know LOL.
Last edited by rjacobs; Aug 1, 2021 at 11:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
pinion pre-load is probably out slightly. Not uncommon I dont think.
MIGHT try a re-torque on the pinion nut. I have HEARD that helping a few guys. Not necessarily an "easy" task, but do-able. I know there was a thread around here somewhere. The torque on it is 370 ft. lbs...
Thats if the belleville washers and lsd clutches, as you say, are really good, and not broken.
I would likely get a second opinion if you arent sure. A diff that whines will start to make metal and then its all down hill from there...ask me how I know LOL.
MIGHT try a re-torque on the pinion nut. I have HEARD that helping a few guys. Not necessarily an "easy" task, but do-able. I know there was a thread around here somewhere. The torque on it is 370 ft. lbs...
Thats if the belleville washers and lsd clutches, as you say, are really good, and not broken.
I would likely get a second opinion if you arent sure. A diff that whines will start to make metal and then its all down hill from there...ask me how I know LOL.
A couple of other details, the sound has been primarily from the driver side. When I first heard it I thought it was a wheel bearing but there's no slop or play in the bearing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 635
From: Dallas TX
In that same vane, if a shop is taking a diff apart far enough to check that, might as well throw in a C6Z06 setup for $150 or whatever they cost...
Last edited by rjacobs; Aug 3, 2021 at 11:47 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Broken Bellville washers do not cause a whine, just less clutch pressure on the side with broken washer(s). The differential acts more like an open differential (less limited slip) at slow speeds with broken Bellville washers, but at higher torque on the differential, pressure caused by the spider gears still will load the clutches and provide limited slip. A buddy raced his C3 for many years, preferring to leave out the limited slip differential springs entirely.
You need to look at drained rear drive fluid. Lots of silvery stuff in the fluid like in post No. 4 means rear drive rebuild time.
You need to look at drained rear drive fluid. Lots of silvery stuff in the fluid like in post No. 4 means rear drive rebuild time.
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