Whine from the back

**molecularmann** · 05-03-2011, 08:29 AM

Ok guys about 2-3 days ago I noticed a whine coming from the back of my SS. It seems to get louder as I drive faster. It's not a scrapeing sound it's more like a howling. Also, it seems to quiet up a bit when I get off the gas at speed. But doesn't go away when I push the clutch in. I'd say it starts making the whine noise at about 8-9mph and intensifies as I accelerate. I'm thinking wheel hub bearing or even worst...my rear :'(

**cammed goat** · 05-03-2011, 08:33 AM

Speaking from experience...it's your rear. It starts as a whine then gradually becomes a growl over time. Some will say rebuild and others will say replace. It all depends on how much money you have.

**Spaz** · 05-03-2011, 08:54 AM

that would be your rear and it don't got much time left...

if you get a new rear let me know... i'll give ya a hand swapping it out...

**KMdef9** · 05-03-2011, 09:07 AM

Mines currently making the same noise. It's really loud inside the car as well, especially at higher speeds.

If you can, save up for a upgrade, and take it easy on it for now. One more hard launch could be the end.

**molecularmann** · 05-03-2011, 09:25 AM

Spaz, I have it at my dad's friend's shop. Looks like my only route right now is a junk yard rear. I have the money for an upgrade but my dad would flip if I spent more than $1000 on a replacement. Just wondering how much an upgrade would run me. Assuming a ford 9"?

**KMdef9** · 05-03-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by molecularmann

Spaz, I have it at my dad's friend's shop. Looks like my only route right now is a junk yard rear. I have the money for an upgrade but my dad would flip if I spent more than $1000 on a replacement. Just wondering how much an upgrade would run me. Assuming a ford 9"?

I think 3-4k, all depending on what you get. And that's installing it yourself.

**molecularmann** · 05-03-2011, 09:31 AM

Ok, that's the price I thought it would be. What's the install look like? How long and isn't it just bolt up install?

**KMdef9** · 05-03-2011, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by molecularmann

Ok, that's the price I thought it would be. What's the install look like? How long and isn't it just bolt up install?

With a friend, it should be able to get done in 1/2 a day, I would imagine.

The companies who make them, custom produce them as a direct bolt up, but you will probably need a new drive shaft depending on which rear you go with. I'd also consider getting a DSL (driveshaft safety loop) at this point as well, since you'll have everything apart at this point.

I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in.

**98maro** · 05-03-2011, 10:06 AM

Mine was rebuild 5k miles ago. It always made that noise since then. Now it's getting louder.

Sad a good rear end is that expensive.

**Spaz** · 05-03-2011, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by molecularmann

Spaz, I have it at my dad's friend's shop. Looks like my only route right now is a junk yard rear. I have the money for an upgrade but my dad would flip if I spent more than $1000 on a replacement. Just wondering how much an upgrade would run me. Assuming a ford 9"?

when you get your rear make sure you get the correct one (channels and gearing)...

tell your dad to look at it this way...

it will probably run $1,200.00 or so to get a rebuild done... a junk yard rear (if you are lucky enough to find the one) $600.00 or so... a refurbished probably around $800.00... then the cost to install unless you do it your selves... then you have to worry about the rear going out again because GM thought a 7.5" would suffice...

a 12 bolt $2,400.00 that will last a very long time and take some hard launches (and lets face it... us PA boys drive friggin nuts!!!)

**denegrader** · 05-03-2011, 11:58 PM

alright a 7.5 ring gear diameter rearend is the wine the teeth worn or bearings usually?
and to think 5.0's have 8.8 "

Originally Posted by Spaz

when you get your rear make sure you get the correct one (channels and gearing)...

tell your dad to look at it this way...

it will probably run $1,200.00 or so to get a rebuild done... a junk yard rear (if you are lucky enough to find the one) $600.00 or so... a refurbished probably around $800.00... then the cost to install unless you do it your selves... then you have to worry about the rear going out again because GM thought a 7.5" would suffice...

a 12 bolt $2,400.00 that will last a very long time and take some hard launches (and lets face it... us PA boys drive friggin nuts!!!)

**JayTA98** · 05-04-2011, 03:27 AM

if you don't have a lot of money i will suggest to take the rear end cover off and look at your gears, pull out the axles and inspect the race part of them. Replacing the bearings and seal is not too expensive. Put new gear oil and additive.

In my case i had a bad axle and bearing. i replace all the axle bearings and put new oil and my rear end quiet down.

You have to take it easy with these 10 bolts. They will break easy.

**redbird555** · 05-04-2011, 04:36 AM

I'd be willing to bet its just a bad bearing in which case the parts are about 159 and then its just the labor to put them all in... OTOH a junkyard rear is probably 100-200 or you can pickup one up on here for not too much more

**denegrader** · 05-04-2011, 09:32 AM

Do you mean 10 bolt s holding the ring gear?
Is that the weakness yer talkin about versus 12 bolts holding the ring gear?
The 7.5 refers to the diameter of the ring gear it self?
Well so the weakness is basicaly less bolts smaller size?
Smaller weaker cheaper bearings?
Seal weakness = seepage unchecked causing dry bearings?

Originally Posted by JayTA98

if you don't have a lot of money i will suggest to take the rear end cover off and look at your gears, pull out the axles and inspect the race part of them. Replacing the bearings and seal is not too expensive. Put new gear oil and additive.

In my case i had a bad axle and bearing. i replace all the axle bearings and put new oil and my rear end quiet down.

You have to take it easy with these 10 bolts. They will break easy.

**denegrader** · 05-04-2011, 09:37 AM

Okay so basiclaly whine would normaly be lack of lubrication or hard use = flat spotted wheel bearings?
not sealed bearings?
They would be spider side bearings conical bearings?

Originally Posted by redbird555

I'd be willing to bet its just a bad bearing in which case the parts are about 159 and then its just the labor to put them all in... OTOH a junkyard rear is probably 100-200 or you can pickup one up on here for not too much more

**Spaz** · 05-04-2011, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by denegrader

Okay so basiclaly whine would normaly be lack of lubrication or hard use = flat spotted wheel bearings?
not sealed bearings?
They would be spider side bearings conical bearings?

the whine can come from many things... most common is incorrect backlash on the gears...

**denegrader** · 05-04-2011, 10:38 AM

Just tryin to learn from ls1ers.
Now incorect backlash ,isnt it referring to incorrect shims?
How could i have incorrect backlash if it was never apart?
Is it when ring and pionion wearthen maybe a new shim or shims may need to be installed/
just tryin to learn
thanx

Originally Posted by Spaz

the whine can come from many things... most common is incorrect backlash on the gears...

**cammed goat** · 05-04-2011, 11:03 AM

Could be incorrect shims or incorrect amount of shims used causing either too much of a gap between the ring/pinion or the ring/pinion aren't spaced apart enough thus causing too much friction. I could be wrong though.

**Spaz** · 05-04-2011, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by denegrader

Just tryin to learn from ls1ers.
Now incorect backlash ,isnt it referring to incorrect shims?
How could i have incorrect backlash if it was never apart?
Is it when ring and pionion wearthen maybe a new shim or shims may need to be installed/
just tryin to learn
thanx

your pinion and spider gear will wear over time and whine... shimming them to fix the whine is only a bandaid over a wound that will not heal...

your axles can cause some whine but not nearly as loud as the spide/pinion gears will... the bearings will produce a number of different sounds from clunking to an almost gurgle to a whine...

**denegrader** · 05-04-2011, 12:32 PM

Ok can you explain the reason for these issues that seem to be an issue with these ls-1 cars or??
Is it maybe cause the whole rear end gears and bearings are what just engineered to small or??????
I figure someone or you may have a better idea than me
thanx

Originally Posted by Spaz

your pinion and spider gear will wear over time and whine... shimming them to fix the whine is only a bandaid over a wound that will not heal...

your axles can cause some whine but not nearly as loud as the spide/pinion gears will... the bearings will produce a number of different sounds from clunking to an almost gurgle to a whine...