Differential Service and Repair Information
Diagnosing Driveline Problems
Diagnosing Noise:
Whirring noise only while decelerating at any or all speeds is most likely caused by
bad pinion bearings or loose pinion bearing preload, and almost never by bad ring and pinion gears.
A howl or whine during acceleration over a small or large speed range can be caused by worn ring and pinion gears or improper gear set up.
Rumbling or whirring at speeds over about 20 mph can be caused by worn carrier bearings. The noise may change while turning.
Regular clunking every few feet can indicate broken ring or pinion gears.
Banging or clunking only on corners can be caused by broken spider gears, lack of sufficient posi-traction lubrication, or worn posi-traction clutches.
Rumble while turning can indicate bad wheel bearings.
A steady vibration that increases with the vehicles speed can be caused by worn u-joints or an out of balance driveshaft.
Clunking only when starting to move or getting on and off the gas might be loose yokes, bad u-joints or worn transfer case or transmission parts.
Always remember that minor problems in the differential now can become major problems later. Differential service and repair in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins is just around the corner at you local Best Western Transmission.
