Rear end whine, who's got it?

[Eagle]

I just picked up a 2002 WS6 with the 6spd.... I'm noticing that the rear end has (what I would consider) a loud whine at about 50-70mph. Its loudest @ 60ish, but once you clear 70 its gone again. Bad news for me is that most of the speed limits around my house are 55mph... so the SOB whines really bad on pretty much every street I drive.

I did search a bit and I noticed that pinion seals commonly leak, but the whine I can't find much on. My pinion seal appears to be in fine condition.

Is gear whine common in these cars? Whats the best cure for this cuz its going to drive me crazy. Whats the best lubes to use?

If the gears have to be replaced to fix this... I'm taking it back to the dealer TOMORROW and those clowns are going to fix it.

Thanks for any suggestions.

BTW, the damn car is FAST. :worship:

-Eagle

[jwindbigler]

Very low pitch. Its pretty common on these cars. The rear ends also have a tendancy to leak a little bit too.

[NvyBluMtlc02WS6]

I have it. Had it since the day I drove it off the lot. Mine happens between 50 and 60. Once I clear 60 its gone.

[BrntWS6]

I have mine at the same speed, 60mph then it's gone 2mph either direction. I brouht it into the dealer back in '01 when I bought the car and they couldn't fix it. They actually just made it worse because after that the pinion seal has leaked, which it never did before that. I took it in 3 times at two different dealersips for new seals and it's always good for a little while, then it starts leaking again. Now my warranty is up, but it's pretty sad when those idiots can't even repair a simple seal correctly.

[djvaly]

it could be the gears growling a bit when it changes from 2nd to 3rd?

[NvyBluMtlc02WS6]

It's got nothing to do with going from 2nd to 3rd. You can be just cruising and it happens. It's a constant whine between 50 and 60 and even with just a tad bit of gas in between those speeds makes it even louder. Once past 60 though, it's gone.

[djvaly]

I don't man, have it checked, or if you plan on doing some serious mods, get a 12 bolt anyways to support that tq

[Secret Formula]

It's got nothing to do with going from 2nd to 3rd. You can be just cruising and it happens. It's a constant whine between 50 and 60 and even with just a tad bit of gas in between those speeds makes it even louder. Once past 60 though, it's gone.

same thing happens to me. I've just learned to deal with it. I pay more attention to the sound of the engine and watching my revs anyway.

[Eagle]

Yeah, mine happens during cruising as well. Romp on it and the exhaust noise easily covers the whine! :) Bad news is, I cruise at 55mph pretty much 80% of the time during my commute to and from the office...

[djvaly]

pump up the music. ;) that should cover loud ass exhaust too

[Eagle]

I don't man, have it checked, or if you plan on doing some serious mods, get a 12 bolt anyways to support that tq

Thats a good point too... how often do the stock axles fail? About how much power / abuse can they hold? Last thing I need is the car spitting out an axle on me...

[Secret Formula]

Yeah, mine happens during cruising as well. Romp on it and the exhaust noise easily covers the whine! :) Bad news is, I cruise at 55mph pretty much 80% of the time during my commute to and from the office...

yeah, the road I take several times a day thats right outside my house has a speed limit of 45 so im always going about 50ish, and its like this for a good 3 or 4 miles. and theres TONS of cops on this road so I hardly ever take it over 55.

[Eagle]

The whine just has to go tho... its gonna drive me nuts. Anyone out there heard of ppl changin out the R&P to fix the howl?

[gd1996]

I had some that did, some that didnt... I had one that pinion bolt was loose and only whined on decel, but a little tightening fixed that. A properly setup rear should not whine, especially something factory!

[Eagle]

I had some that did, some that didnt... I had one that pinion bolt was loose and only whined on decel, but a little tightening fixed that. A properly setup rear should not whine, especially something factory!

Thats what I'm saying... yet looking at the poll it seems to be pretty common. I've had quite a few 10 bolt axles in my day... not sure why this 2002 should howl when all the others hadn't.

[MafiaMotorsports]

It's most likely a messed up wear pattern on the ring/pinion. Once that happens, you'll never get rid of it. If it's whining at a certain RPM range, it's telling me it's the wear pattern. Sorry man but you'd have to change the gears for that to go away.

I tried to set the record for jacked up 10 bolts. I've broken 6 of 'em. lol! I know every gear noise known to man. haha.

[AKIRA]

From stock to Richmond gears, Ive never heard a whine. BUT. When my rear sounded to 'howl,' I looked into it. A pinion bearing blew and I needed replacing. Fucked up my axle a little bit, so I put "axle savers" on.

[luvmyz28]

mine was doing that and it ended up being the pinion bearing.

[Tony180a]

I didn't have a whine but a roar, it was axle bearings but luckily the race was ok. I plan to get a 12 bolt his year.

[00TAWS6]

Not trying to scare you or anything, but my car was doing the same thing. Took it to the dealer(still under warranty) My pinion seal had spun around in the rear end causing that noise. They ended up having to replace the WHOLE rear end. I didn't care though the $2500 I paid for the extended warranty took care of that. It was like a $3200 job if I recall correctly.

Jimmy

[jwindbigler]

Thats a good point too... how often do the stock axles fail? About how much power / abuse can they hold? Last thing I need is the car spitting out an axle on me...

The entire driveline can handle 500ft-lbs of torque. I havent heard of one failing yet. There's guys on here with well over 100K miles on their T/A, and had no problems with the rear end.

[Eagle]

Well at least its good to know that the axle won't go completely south on me.

Odd to see that 13 of 18 have noise of some sort and theres no good way to make it STFU yet... are there any fluids that have been found to help reduce the noise levels? I don't have any leaks (yet) so at least I have that going for me.

[gd1996]

Drove mine today for the first time ever, no whine, definite plus!

[AKIRA]

Not trying to scare you or anything, but my car was doing the same thing. Took it to the dealer(still under warranty) My pinion seal had spun around in the rear end causing that noise. They ended up having to replace the WHOLE rear end. I didn't care though the $2500 I paid for the extended warranty took care of that. It was like a $3200 job if I recall correctly.

Jimmy

I understand why youre grateful, but they showed you what a dealer would charge, not a independant shop owner.

[blackbird33]

i have it but its not that noticable

[Black02TA]

my was a roar took it back to the dealer they replaced the axles will drive it tomorrow to see if the roar is gone or not.

[Lubricant]

I installed the T/A girdle and it is nice and quiet..
It took a ton of pressure off the rear end internals.
Very easy to install in under 1 hour!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/lubricant/car/DSC01023.jpg

[Eagle]

I changed out the diff fluids for Mobil1 syn 75w90 and put in the LS additive too, and she still howls. Slightly less, but not much better.

Very little debris on the magnet too...

[djvaly]

The entire driveline can handle 500ft-lbs of torque. I havent heard of one failing yet. There's guys on here with well over 100K miles on their T/A, and had no problems with the rear end.

I am running 475rwhp, 450tq on stock rear bolt

[Eagle]

Well thats good news for me, cuz I just ordered a 150 HSW kit... :Popcorn:

-Eagle

[djvaly]

noice, u gonna love the speed

[Eagle]

I'm more worried about how much its going to cost me to keep the bottle filled :buttkick: :giveup:

[djvaly]

true. that's the beauty of bolts on. pay for it then have it always there, no more costs. a 15lbs nitros should hold you a good 4-5 30sec passes.

[Eagle]

so 8-10 15sec passes? :) Cuz I'd like to see low 12sec passes personally ;)

[djvaly]

oh yeah I meant on the street... like do 20sec spray for 6-7 times. sure you'd be in 12s no prob at 1/4mi

[drummer52910]

When i bought my car it had about 74000 miles on it, and the rear end was whining like that. I didnt think anything of it but was later told that was the sound of my gears going out. Sure enough a few weeks it gave out completely. Car was all stock. Common problem with fbodys.

[djvaly]

When i bought my car it had about 74000 miles on it, and the rear end was whining like that. I didnt think anything of it but was later told that was the sound of my gears going out. Sure enough a few weeks it gave out completely. Car was all stock. Common problem with fbodys.

well the previous owner(s) I am sure pulled on it hard at times, so 74k if most miles are driven aggresively, it will deform and age that rear bolt and the supporting bars.

[tigersport14]

When i bought my car it had about 74000 miles on it, and the rear end was whining like that. I didnt think anything of it but was later told that was the sound of my gears going out. Sure enough a few weeks it gave out completely. Car was all stock. Common problem with fbodys.

wow how much is that to fix?

[drummer52910]

If you take it to the dealer it is 1800 dollars, with a one year 12000 mile warranty included. I had mine done at a private shop for only 1100, and they used richmond gears. They're stronger than factory gears but also a little noiser, but still quiet enough for me.

[tigersport14]

oh thats cool

[98 formula ws6]

I just put all new stuff with 4.10's and it makes some noise.The gears are an off brand. A rear end shop said that the gears would make noise.I have a #2 so we use a thick gear had 2.73's :woo

[urstolendesire]

My 94 camaro did the exact same thing. it did it all the time. i bought it with 124,000 miles. ( first f-body ) when we bought the car we were trying to figure out why it came with a kroger bag full of bearings.:brick: ya so we tore it apart, changed pretty much all the bearings and it went away...

[formula1804]

I had this problem about 6 months ago. But im not so sure you're having the same problem i did. My pinion gear was grinding on the posi casing in the rear end. So i took it in and had it fixed and they said that they put some kind of spacer or something of the sort by the pinion gear somewhere so that it wouldnt grind and also had 3.73 done while it was all torn down. I dont know if this will help you any.

[neal455]

We have have 3 cars here, 2 99 T/a M6 and a 02 Z28 A4.
The Z gears sounds like a meat grinder ! car has 70k miles and the gears are very worn inside
One T/a has 45k miles and is fine the other has 120k ansd is a bit howling after 50 or 60mph

[INMY01TA]

The entire driveline can handle 500ft-lbs of torque. I havent heard of one failing yet. There's guys on here with well over 100K miles on their T/A, and had no problems with the rear end.
:Poke: Dude, bolt on cars have broke stock ten bolts countless times. Anyways, a little whine doesn't mean your rear is gonna break. My Strange 12 bolt w/4:11's screams. Handles the 5,000rpm dumps on slicks with a kevlar Mcleod clutch okay tho. :yup:

[djvaly]

I got a whine in my rear end :shrug: could it be the hot taquittos I ate this morning? :lmao:

[tigersport14]

I got a whine in my rear end :shrug: could it be the hot taquittos I ate this morning? :lmao:

ahahhahahah lmfao hahaha, mines more of a rear end backfire

[djvaly]

:booty: whinning

[Roastem]

Wait till you slap 4.10's in it and remove all the sound deadening, you will really know the meaning of "whine."

[djvaly]

:thumbup:

[Eagle]

Instead of doing that I took it back to the dealer and told them to fix it on my extended warranty. I should get an answer back shortly!!! Cross your fingers for me.

-Eagle

[djvaly]

:xfingers:

[Midnight02]

My didn't too much when it was stock, however the Motive 3.90's I slapped in the bag whine pretty bad. It's really just an excuse to romp on it so the exhaust will be the prevailing sound!

Has anyone found a way to deaden the sound so it doesn't affect the driver as much? I don't need the actual whine to go away, but if I could find a way to deaden the way it resonates in the cabin, I would be good to go!

[98 formula ws6]

Man I know thats right I got 4.10s I was told turn up the tunes and make the exhaust louder I have no cats with a cut out I don't know whats louder

[SMKDFRD]

Mine doesn't really whine but it makes like this knocking noise when I am going slow in first second and part of third. Anyone else experiance this?

[98 formula ws6]

Is it comeing from the rear end or the trans that can't be good if it's got a knocking:confused:

[hamburger68]

Mine doesn't really whine but it makes like this knocking noise when I am going slow in first second and part of third. Anyone else experiance this?

had that too, take it in and get it fixed/checked. not to scare you, but you don't want your diff locking up with no warning!

i had my gears replaced and now i have a whine on decel. but i'm trying to get that fixed, too.

[98 formula ws6]

If you used after market gears I've be told they will do that mine do some 4.10s #2 thick

[Eagle]

Warranty company told me that they won't replace the R&P because its a common occurrence in these vehicles. They said if/when it breaks they'll cover it, but the whining will not get it replaced. Sure glad I paid for that warranty...:slap:

-Eagle

[Rivi]

have the back lash checked,mie was @ .012 and whined badly.i reset it to .006 and the whine was gone.

[yellowv]

Mine whines pretty good, but now with LT's, ORY and LM2 I can barely hear it :)

[Eagle]

To do that you re-shim the pinion right?

[Rivi]

nope the carrier

[Eagle]

well hell, thats easy enuf... I think I'll have to get out the dial indicator and check that. Thanks man!

[spookyz28]

My buddy had the same problem on his 99 Camaro SS when he had his rear end gears installed. I don't remember what exactly was the problem but he had to take his car back to the place that had installed his gears. When he got the car back the whine was gone. If you have a whine it is not a good thing. Something is going on with the rear end and you should get it checked out!

[SS-Power]

Mine doesn't really whine but it makes like this knocking noise when I am going slow in first second and part of third. Anyone else experiance this?

My ss was also making this noise. I tore down the rear and saw the bad news. I needed a new ring and pinion. I bought SLP's 3.73 gears and a rebuild kit for the rear(new seals and bearings). Since the rear was apart, I replaced the wheel bearings too. Put it all together and added RP gear oil. It ran smooth and quiet after that. Good luck.

[djvaly]

My ass was also making this noise.
:whistle: :rotfl:

[SS-Power]

:whistle: :rotfl:

Good one, I wish it was my ass making that noise so I would have saved $500

[djvaly]

hahah

[djvaly]

here's another idea. I went to the track last weeks and I guess I took off hard and one of the spring in the rear end moved from it's place and a squick noise started after, the mechanic detected it by seeing scratch marks on the spring so he moved it back since it was crooked and touching, so now I put a tq arm and adj panhard bar and taking off at the track hard and no more problems. I guess look for springs or bars in the back that have scratch marks, that could be an indication that things are touching up and squicking. :shrug:

[djvaly]

I got an itch in my rear end :rotfl:

[Roastem]

My rear end whined real good this morning! It was making a bubbly air leak noise...any cure for it?

[LETHALxLS1]

A cork should fix your problem!!! LOL

[Roastem]

A cork should fix your problem!!! LOL

Exit only my friend! No foreign objects of any kind.

Thats why I always squiggle around when chics fingers start to wander...:no:

No dukey love for me!

[LETHALxLS1]

Apparently you have never had the fine experience of visiting a Proctologist.

[Roastem]

I got to question a man who makes a living fingering guys assholes.

What kid in their right mind would say, "I want probe to people's asses when I grow up." :screwy:

[djvaly]

:rotfl:

[intheclouds1977]

My car had rear end whine when I bought it a little over a month ago. I changed out the dino-oil for some Mobil 1 full syn gear oil, and added 6 oz (rather than the recommended 4oz) of friction modifier. Did two 3k clutch dumps following the fluid change to make sure everything was hooking up properly with the increased friction modifier, and the gear whine is 100% gone.

[Eagle]

I did exactly the same thing and its still there. When I pulled my cover off I can see the wear on the ring gear and the proof of the wear was stuck on the cover magnet...

[LETHALxLS1]

My car had rear end whine when I bought it a little over a month ago. I changed out the dino-oil for some Mobil 1 full syn gear oil, and added 6 oz (rather than the recommended 4oz) of friction modifier. Did two 3k clutch dumps following the fluid change to make sure everything was hooking up properly with the increased friction modifier, and the gear whine is 100% gone.

I am gonna give that a try-where did you get the friction modifier? thanks

[intheclouds1977]

Advance Auto Parts. Just the required LS additive.

[LETHALxLS1]

Thank you bud!!

[djvaly]

I got a rearend whine now, the diff is leaking from the seal... the drive shaft pushed into the rearend badly on the track launch, I am still on stock bolt,
having 490rwhp 480tq... too much power and hard launches will do that, so coming up next week a Dana 60 complete set... then I am set for upto 900rwhp :)

[Eagle]

Sounds like you need to adjust your LCAs and Torque Arm to keep that from happening? :thinkin:

The driveshaft shouldn't be taking load like that under launch...

Congrats on the 60 though! :)

-Eagle

[djvaly]

Sounds like you need to adjust your LCAs and Torque Arm to keep that from happening? :thinkin:

The driveshaft shouldn't be taking load like that under launch...

-Eagle

it will be mucho better now. I wanted to do a rearend swap anyways perhaps not this soon but it's ok. yeah you make sence I did check it out in terms of tq arm and LCA though. perhaps just a shady stock bolt. I've heard others blow their stock bolt launching like that frequently.

[intheclouds1977]

What's done to the D60s for car use? A truck D60 is a full floating axle with hubs...somehow I doubt someone would want hubs sticking out on a car.

[djvaly]

it's the lighter version of the D60, not the heavy duty version... anyways building the rearend for 700rwhp+, s/c and nitrous next year,,, :yup:

[Blackout01]

i've had mine about 3 months now, its done it ever since i got it, had 53k miles then has almost 58k now im also just now replacing brakes & rotors
the pinion seal does leak, and one the other mechs at work that just does rear ends all day said immediatley after we took off from the lot ( test drive ) he said pinion bearing, hes 31 been changin rear ends since he was 12 in the driveway, tomorrow actually im replacing the pinion seal, and poping the cover most likely to the dif, my rear end gears have a lot of play in it when i turn the drive shaft, so im probably swappin gears soon, in which im going 3:73 maybe a 3:90, but it doesn't seem to get any worse and its peak also seems around 60 mph, i bought some Trans-X posi trac additive im gona dump in there after i replace the seal and pinion bearing tomorrow, i'll let you know how it turns out

[86 IROC-Z]

Mine whines... but then again I drive a third gen... so it came standard

[djvaly]

:haha: you got the whinning package included ;)

[99camls1]

My camaro doesn't have a whine, but I have 3:73's in my Chevelle, they whine like a son of a b*$#@!

[Rivi]

will everyone please stop whining and let this thread go to sleep!

[djvaly]

:spit:

[99camls1]

:Pepsi:

[CDS98Z28]

mine has rear end " clunk -n- bang " .....does that count

[Eagle]

HA. That can't be good. :P

[LETHALxLS1]

Mine has a bang when it shifts into 3rd at low rpms. If I give it more gas before it shifts into 3rd it doesnt do it. Could some teeth be missing in my rear? Pinion gear teeth?

[Eagle]

HEH. If you were missing pinion gear teeth, it would be constantly making noise... Its probably something with your carrier or differential. Probably worth looking at before it grenades.

[LETHALxLS1]

Do these cars have a carrier bearing?? What else can go wrong besides ring and pinion gears and pinion bearing? I have no clue.

[kwade]

Mine has it,only 18,000 miles on it too. Thought I was the only one!