I'm trying to chase down a noise and I am looking for a few suggestions. The noise is a whine coming from the rear and occurs with throttle input and goes away while coasting. I have changed both rear u-joints and pulled the axles to inspect the wheel bearings and they both look good.

The rear end has been worked on prior to me inheriting this project. The reason I say this is because the fluid looked really good when I cracked the cover and there was very little metal on the magnet. It's the extent of the work that I'm unsure of. They may have just changed the fluid...I don't know.

I'm wondering if the rear end was rebuilt by the previous owner (262k miles) and the backlash may be incorrect. Is there any way I can check this? Any other suggestions are appreciated!

 

a whine from the rear end would indicate improper gear set up. If the fluid looks fresh and you know it was recently worked on, theres a good chance its not put together within specs.

 

Can you post a pic of the gear "pattern"? Just a pic of the ring would suffice you should be able to see the connection pattern worn in

 

how about pinion bearings (if the gear setup appears ok)

 

This is what I am thinking too.

I'd have to pop the cover off again, but I can describe it to you. The wear pattern on the ring gear covered about 50% of the surface and was slightly off center.

How do I check those?

 

Should look somewhat like this



To check the pinion bearings, try to wiggle the yoke on the axle, if it moves at all then the bearings are bad. It's easier to tell if you disconnect the driveshaft from the yoke.

 

Nice pic on the wear pattern. Mine looks pretty similar to that, but is slightly more off-center. Is there any specified limit? Or do you just want it as close to center as possible?

 

 

That's a very helpful picture...very cool, thanks.

The "heel" is the outside of the ring gear and "toe" is inside correct?

 

Correct.

 

Hi. I think that we have a difficulties in checking it. I hope we can find answers in the incorrect backlash.

 

the shop where i had my locker installed put 0 backlash because he thought the locker was the backlash and i was getting the same whining noise with throttle input and it would pull to the left with gas, took it back and he put it to proper specs and works great now...