diff whine - can thicker lube reduce noise?

[tekdeus]

My diff has always had a bit of a whine at highway speed, nothing serious. I've been running synthetic oil in it, and was thinking of switching back to regular oil, possibly something slightly thicker to reduce the noise; especially since I am about to install poly subframe bushings that can transfer more noise and vibration to the chassis.

Any suggestions? Is there a brand of gear oil that makes a mildly thicker blend?

 

[IJ.]

bitron :runaway:

 

[Turbo Drifter]

My diff has always had a bit of a whine at highway speed, nothing serious. I've been running synthetic oil in it, and was thinking of switching back to regular oil, possibly something slightly thicker to reduce the noise; especially since I am about to install poly subframe bushings that can transfer more noise and vibration to the chassis.

Any suggestions? Is there a brand of gear oil that makes a mildly thicker blend?

I would bet its the bearing race on the right hand side of the diff. Mine did that and when I rebuilt it it was all galled.

If you already have a noise I do not think anything will get rid of it other than fixing the problem.

IJ what is that OZZY Snake oil?

 

[Flateric]

I agree with IJ, this is what I got switched to by a reputable local shop and it solved all noise issues with the rear diff for me. I always previously had this sorta howl like whine from the backend before it.

 

[jdub]

IJ what is that OZZY Snake oil?

It's a old inside joke actually

I agree with IJ, this is what I got switched to by a reputable local shop and it solved all noise issues with the rear diff for me. I always previously had this sorta howl like whine from the backend before it.

Bitron is not something you want in your LSD or any other engine/drivetrain part. Do a search on it and you will see why.


Brad - an thicker oil may help, but it sounds like something is off in your LSD. Are you running Red Line 75W-90? (it's one of the thicker gear lubes in this weight). Royal Purple Max-Gear 80W-90 is a bit thicker still. Don't assume a conventional gear oil will be thicker...for example Mobil HD Plus 80W-90 is thinner than both of the above (so is Mobil 1 75W-90).

 

[tekdeus]

I would bet its the bearing race on the right hand side of the diff. Mine did that and when I rebuilt it it was all galled. If you already have a noise I do not think anything will get rid of it other than fixing the problem. IJ what is that OZZY Snake oil?

Thanks for the suggestions Jdub, IJ :biglaugh:

Jeremy, I've heard pinion bearing noise before, and it is more of a howl. The whine I'm getting sounds more like high pitched gear noise. How did yours sound?

I agree with IJ, this is what I got switched to by a reputable local shop and it solved all noise issues with the rear diff for me. I always previously had this sorta howl like whine from the backend before it.

Lol :biglaugh:

 

[Turbo Drifter]

Thanks for the suggestions Jdub, IJ :biglaugh:

Jeremy, I've heard pinion bearing noise before, and it is more of a howl. The whine I'm getting sounds more like high pitched gear noise. How did yours sound?


:biglaugh:

Mine was a rotational howl, it started as a High pitched sounds and got lower and lower. If you are getting a real high pitched gear sound, fix it now before you lose the ring and pinion.

 

[IJ.]

I would bet its the bearing race on the right hand side of the diff. Mine did that and when I rebuilt it it was all galled.

If you already have a noise I do not think anything will get rid of it other than fixing the problem.

IJ what is that OZZY Snake oil?

As JDub pointed out it's a bit of an in joke and goes back to when SOME of us were naive and gullible eh Brad

 

[grimreaper]

ferd 80w-90 with their LSD additive works great!

The LSD additive STINKS! my car smelt like it for few days from leaving the UNopened bottle in the rear over night!

Ive smelt some gear oil that was rank but this stuff takes the cake!!

 

[GrimJack]

Mine starts to howl at 100km/hr when the oil gets old. (About every 2 years, for me.) When I hear it start, I replace the oil and it goes away in 150km or so of driving.

 

[T701jz]

Red Line 75W-90/additive.