rear diff noises need help and advice

[Norcalrallyist]

I had a center diff that was locked up and i drove on it for 2 weeks or so before i parked it. After I replaced it everything seemed cool but there are a number of noises and problems I think are coming from the rear diff now. First I noticed that when im on the freeway theres a lot of vibration coming from the rear of the car simular to a tire out of balance. Second I noticed a clicking sound when i turn. Third when i give it gas there is a clunking or thumping noise coming from the rear. How much is it to get a 4 bolt rebuilt? is there any info on diy? Could any of this be caused be the axles?

 

[Detail]

I gotta 95 with the same problem. Rear diff hums on the highway. You can push the clutch in and drop the revs and still hear the noise. It sounds like you leave the car in gear and let off the gas and coast...but the clutch is in and its just the diff humming away. I put the car in the air and drove it at 45 mph, my mechanic put a stethascope on the rear diff and says the thing is TOAST. I'm interested in the rebuild myself...anyone gotta anymore points?

 

[Norcalrallyist]

I guess ill just drive it till it explodes

 

[AWDRulz]

hi,ive also got a 95 talon with a blown rear diff.It also has the limited slip on it.Tranny shops that i went to have been giveing me quotes close to 2,000 bucks. .At the dealer a new one with the lsd is 1,500.Without the lsd they told me it only cost around 200.Im not sure if you can put that on your car if originally your car had a lsd.I made a topic about it but got no replies.

 

[Norcalrallyist]

It shouldnt matter if it came with or without lsd just as long as its a manual diff if you have manual trans and the same with auto trans.

 

[Awdboost]

Are you sure it's the rear diff. My understanding is that the rear diff doesn't break. Lots of people when breaking a center diff and thinking that they have broken there rear or even front diff and it always turns out to be the center. Why don't you look into the center diff. As for 3 bolt rear ends.. I don't know shit about them.

 

[JiveMasterT]

my understanding was that the rear diff would only make noise if the car was in gear. if it is not in gear and making the noise then it is most likely a wheel bearing?

can someone confirm this? if im wrong I'm totally screwed.

 

[jtmcinder]

Enjoy being screwed.

The rear diff turns with the rear wheels. There are many things that could cause a turning rear diff to make noises and many do not require that torque is being transmitted across it.

- Jtoby

 

[Norcalrallyist]

Ok so I was rolling my car around in the garage in neutral and i notice a wierd sound. It seems to be coming from the left side of the rear diff maybe even towards the wheel. It seems like it makes this noise after a full revolution of the tire. The noise is likc a click sound.

 

[Norcalrallyist]

When I got it on the freeway today the noise got worse. Im positive its coming from the left side of the car now. It sounds like your driving on a flat tire.

 

[Detail]

yeah your car sounds like its a wheel bearing. i have one of those on the left side that is broken also but that isnt all of my problems. i put it up in the air and drove it at 50 mph while my tech put a stethascope on the diff. not only was it making crazy noises it was also shifting side to side..strangely. i know its not common but if a part is uncommon to break then my luck tends to destroy that part. lucky for me i also have the limited slip(went to the dealer and ran my vin to find out). parts cost 1500 for the limited slip and like u said next to nothing for the non. HOWEVER...the limited slip ive learned will not fit int he case designed for the non limited slip and vice versa. so no skimping out the easy way. i have been searching junkyards high and low and have now, 2 weeks later located one a state away. so....hopefully ill get that bad boy for like 350 or so, throw 50 bucks at my wrench to put it in and then get a wheel bearing to fix that problem. whats your plans???

 

[Norcalrallyist]

the cheapest place to start is the wheel bearing ill try that first... thanks

 

[Norcalrallyist]

replacing the wheel hub fixed the problem