I had my gear oil changed by a mechanic I no longer use. Everything was fine but I had it changed just because my truck was at the mileage where it was supposed to be done. He didn't seal the drain plug properly and it leaked. When I started having noise issues, I looked underneath and noticed the leak. I had my new mechanic put in new oil and he said it was 25 to 30 percent low of what it should have been. Still have the noise, however, and so now I have to go to the next step and see about parts replacement. This is just one more thing my old mechanic botched. Finding a good and reliable mechanic is like finding a good doctor or dentist.
A reason I’d like to add unless someone already did here then I’m sorry… but wife ran over a pillow and it exploded and somehow became entangled all around my rear axels and diff which then over time caused a lot of extra heat and friction and apparently melted my seals and now after three months I have no oil in it… 2019 dodge challenger GT with 26,000 miles 3.5 years old. Waiting to take it to dodge for the appointment… but I drive only in emergencies. No more than 3 miles at a time. Hoping I don’t screw it up more. Because when I noticed the humming I didn’t think much of it (car dummy) now I have learned much about cars and to never just ignore cries for help. Now it grinds and sounds so much worse. It overpowers my muffler resonator delete lmao😢
Back in the day I had a 95 trans am that required a rear end gear additive. I changed the fluid once and didn't add it in so every time I made a turn I'd get a weird noise. I had to do it all over and add the additive. As soon as I did the noise went away.
Very informative. My vehicle needs this repair and I had no clue what a rear differential even was. Everything clicks now after your detailed explanation 👌🏾
I HAVE AN 02" BLAZER ZR2 THAT HAS BEEN BABIED. I HAVE A NOISE THAT STARTED OUT SOUNDING LIKE A LOW POWER STEERING FLUID WHINING SOUND FROM THE REAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER WHEEL BEARING WHEN I JACKED IT UP & THROTTLED TO 30MPH IT WAS LOUD. I JUST CHANGED IT OUT & THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. MORE IN THE DIFF & PASS SIDE. I NOTICED IT DOES HAVE THE G80 LOCKER IN IT. EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD, NO NOISES WHEN I TURNED THE SHAFT BY HAND. IT'S ALL CLEAN, NICE & TIGHT. IT HAD VERY LITTLE SHAVINGS ON THE INSIDE MAGNET. NO LEAKS ANYWHERE, NO PLAY IN MY PINION GEAR, IN MY WHEELS BESIDES THE PASS. SIDE REAR HAS A LITTLE IN/OUT PLAY & A LITTLE NOISE (PADS & BEARING, I THINK) WHEN I ROTATE BY HAND. I HAVE A STICK MAGNET I USED TO LISTEN WITH & PUT IT TO THE DIFF COVER & IT WAS KINDA LOUD IN THERE, THERE WAS NOISE AT THE PASS. SIDE WHEEL ALSO. COULD THAT BE DRONING NOISE TO THE DIFF? I'M CONFUSED BECAUSE THERE'S NO CLUNKING SOUNDS. NEW U-JOINTS, ETC. MAYBE ITS THE PASS SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING & I'M JUST OVER THINKING THIS. I DO NOT TOW OR ANYTHING WITH IT. JUST A MALL RUNNER.. I'M CURIOUS WHY THERE'S NO IN/OUT PLAY ON DRIVERS REAR BUT THERE IS ON THE PASS SIDE WHEEL? WITH IT JACKED UP, THE PASSENGER SIDE SPINS & IT'LL ENGAGE THAT LOCKER & DISENGAGE, THEN IT JUST KICKS IN & OUT. SOMETHING I DIDN'T NOTICE BEFORE I CHANGED THE BEARING OUT..