Diff Rebuild -- Is it worth it?

[lollygagger8]

Randy, you aren't getting any vibrations? That is a random sound!! Almost sounds like you ran over an animal and it's flapping around back there.

Since it starts up after it gets a little warm.....I'm with you.....sounds like the diff is acting up. I wonder if the pinion bearing is not tight enough? It takes some pretty crazy torque to get it right. Didn't you have that update done recently? Wonder if they didn't torque it correctly.....

Check those CV bolts on your axles too maybe, but I would think you would see some grease from the CV on the inside of your rims if they were loose.

Check the level on your diff too.....is there any fluid residue around the axle seals on the diff?

[rand49er]

Originally Posted by lollygagger8

Randy, you aren't getting any vibrations? That is a random sound!! Almost sounds like you ran over an animal and it's flapping around back there.

Since it starts up after it gets a little warm.....I'm with you.....sounds like the diff is acting up. I wonder if the pinion bearing is not tight enough? It takes some pretty crazy torque to get it right. Didn't you have that update done recently? Wonder if they didn't torque it correctly.....

Check those CV bolts on your axles too maybe, but I would think you would see some grease from the CV on the inside of your rims if they were loose.

Check the level on your diff too.....is there any fluid residue around the axle seals on the diff?

Haven't touched the pinion seal/bearing yet, so can't be that. I tightened the CV bolts myself; I believe they are tight, and there's no grease anywhere there that I can see. I just changed diff fluid and put in Amsoil plus their additive (old stuff looked GREAT and plug had virtually no ferrous particles on it). I DO have a pinion seal leak, but it doesn't seem too bad as it doesn't even leave any drops on the garage floor.

However, I did remove the KARS kit, took it for a very brief spin, and holy cow did that quiet things up! I hear very very little in the way of that clicking/clunking while shifting now. It's like a tenth of what it was. I DO, however, still hear the strange noise like a vibration but without feeling anything. Heard it while going 25 MPH leaving the neighborhood. It is less pronounced with the KARS removed but definitely still there.

Gonna clean the KARS kit up and put it on the block I think. ibtl

[ewill3rd]

See if you can get some audio on the noises that are still there when you finish this go-round.

[JimmyH]

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

Maybe I need to fly up to MI?

Chicago

[rand49er]

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

See if you can get some audio on the noises that are still there when you finish this go-round.

Sunday.

[ewill3rd]

Something tells me I could put some tools in my car, take a month off, and drive back and forth across this great country and not have to worry about gas money

[rand49er]

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

Something tells me I could put some tools in my car, take a month off, and drive back and forth across this great country and not have to worry about gas money

If I fill you up here, you could get to Chicago, no problem. JimmyH, you're next!

[lollygagger8]

Originally Posted by rand49er

Haven't touched the pinion seal/bearing yet, so can't be that. I tightened the CV bolts myself; I believe they are tight, and there's no grease anywhere there that I can see. I just changed diff fluid and put in Amsoil plus their additive (old stuff looked GREAT and plug had virtually no ferrous particles on it). I DO have a pinion seal leak, but it doesn't seem too bad as it doesn't even leave any drops on the garage floor.

However, I did remove the KARS kit, took it for a very brief spin, and holy cow did that quiet things up! I hear very very little in the way of that clicking/clunking while shifting now. It's like a tenth of what it was. I DO, however, still hear the strange noise like a vibration but without feeling anything. Heard it while going 25 MPH leaving the neighborhood. It is less pronounced with the KARS removed but definitely still there.

Gonna clean the KARS kit up and put it on the block I think. ibtl

Sweet! Good find Randy! Sell it!!!

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

Something tells me I could put some tools in my car, take a month off, and drive back and forth across this great country and not have to worry about gas money

Stop in Indiana for some beers too Boss!! :alki:

[JimmyH]

Originally Posted by ewill3rd

Something tells me I could put some tools in my car, take a month off, and drive back and forth across this great country and not have to worry about gas money

or food money, or lodging. we'll take care of ya! that would be one hell of a road trip. see the country and fix people's cars

[thebigjimsho]

get enough of us together and we could cover the expenses...

[Nutz]

Any updates Rand?

[rand49er]

No update, except that I still have the noise. Not sure if I have one at about 25 MPH and another one at higher speeds or if they're the same one. Sounds TERRIBLE at 25 MPH!

I thought of another way to describe it. It's sort of like the sound a bowling ball makes when it's going down the alley except as if it's going over a more irregular surface and not a completely smooth one. It's about that same frequency and character I'd say.

Wish the dang thing would just break somewhereand be done with it! Then, at least I'd know what to fix. Got on the expressway near home the other day and let Miss Maggie do her thing somewhat into fourth gear then finally backed off doing 95 MPH before someone said, "Arrest that old man before he hurts himself!" Point is, the sound doesn't seem to get any worse or better at least in the short term like that.

Ewill3rd last posted that he'd like to hear another audio of it, but I don't think I could improve on what I've already done in that regard. Oh, and Jim, it really is more audible than when you last heard it. Maybe it is getting worse and hopefully closer to failure, just slowly and over time.

[darkman]

Originally Posted by rand49er

No update, except that I still have the noise. Not sure if I have one at about 25 MPH and another one at higher speeds or if they're the same one. Sounds TERRIBLE at 25 MPH!

I thought of another way to describe it. It's sort of like the sound a bowling ball makes when it's going down the alley except as if it's going over a more irregular surface and not a completely smooth one. It's about that same frequency and character I'd say.

Wish the dang thing would just break somewhereand be done with it! Then, at least I'd know what to fix. Got on the expressway near home the other day and let Miss Maggie do her thing somewhat into fourth gear then finally backed off doing 95 MPH before someone said, "Arrest that old man before he hurts himself!" Point is, the sound doesn't seem to get any worse or better at least in the short term like that.

Ewill3rd last posted that he'd like to hear another audio of it, but I don't think I could improve on what I've already done in that regard. Oh, and Jim, it really is more audible than when you last heard it. Maybe it is getting worse and hopefully closer to failure, just slowly and over time.

I'd wager that if you loaned it to SkullV for a few days you would find its weakest link.

[Nutz]

^That's funny. I'll bet he's shreddin some rubba right now since the wheelhop is history. A definite cause for celebration.

Originally Posted by rand49er

. Oh, and Jim, it really is more audible than when you last heard it. Maybe it is getting worse and hopefully closer to failure, just slowly and over time.

I cringe at the thought of that dreaded sound. BTW, maybe leave the camera in the trunk well and shoot some time, based on what I heard with the camera in the trunk the sound ought to be very clear. The offer on a spare diff still remains. Good luck.

[CTSV_Rob]

Originally Posted by darkman

I'd wager that if you loaned it to SkullV for a few days you would find its weakest link.

I'm guessing he doesn't need a few days.