A howling differential is one of the worst sounds any car guy (or girl) can hear. And once you’ve heard a clunk, howl, whine, or vibration, you’ll want to diagnose it.
It’s possible that the sounds you’re hearing are not differential-related. They could be caused by other driveline or axle components.
This quick guide will help you match those alarming sounds to the vehicle component that’s making them.
Typical Symptoms & Possible Causes
Noises, vibrations and other irregular driving characteristics are often caused by a problem with your differential or driveline.
Symptom
Howling when decelerating (gears were previously quiet)
Cause
Loose pinion bearing preload
Symptom
Howling with whirring or a rumble when accelerating (gears previously quiet)
Cause
Worn out rear pinion bearing or worn out gear set
Symptom
Howling when accelerating over a shorter speed range (gears previously quiet)
Cause
Worn gear set caused by bad lubrication or overloading
Symptom
Howling after installing a gear set
Cause
Faulty installation or faulty gears
Symptom
Low rumble at any speed over 30 km/h
Cause
Worn carrier bearings
Symptom
Whirring sounds when accelerating or decelerating at around 15 km/h
Cause
Worn pinion bearings
Symptom
Hard banging or clunking sounds when turning, backing up, or rapidly decelerating, with the sounds getting worse in warmer weather
Cause
Positraction chatter caused by improper lubrication, worn clutches, worn spider gears, or improper assembly
Symptom
Hard banging, crunching, or popping sounds when turning
Cause
Very worn or even broken spider gears
Symptom
Banging or clicking every couple of feet when accelerating or decelerating
Cause
Broken pinion gear teeth
Symptom
Banging or clicking every couple of feet when accelerating or decelerating, but never both
Cause
Heavy chip on pinion gear tooth
Symptom
Banging or clicking every eight to ten feet when accelerating or decelerating
Cause
Broken ring gear teeth
Symptom
Banging or clicking every eight to ten feet when accelerating or decelerating, but never both
Cause
Heavy chip on ring gear tooth
Symptom
Clicking sounds when decelerating from 30 km/h to a complete stop
Cause
Worn carrier case-side gear bores
Symptom
Rumbling or clicks that sound worse when making a hard turn
Cause
Bad wheel bearings
Symptom
Squeaking or grinding driveline
Cause
Worn or damaged U-joints
Symptom
Clunks when pressing down on the throttle pedal during takeoff
Cause
Worn U-joints, spider gears, axle splines, excessive gear backlash, or loose or worn yoke splines
Symptom
Clunking noises heard upon takeoff from a complete stop
Cause
Worn slip yoke splines
Symptom
Steady vibration which increases as you gain more speed
Cause
Worn U-joint or misbalanced driveshaft
Symptom
Cyclic vibrations with high intensity at a specific speed range, and during deceleration
Cause
Lower-than-needed pinion angle (not parallel with front yoke on driveshaft)
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