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2G Terrible trans noise VIDEO

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rabenne

15+ Year Contributor
1,803
836
Apr 21, 2006
Racine, Wisconsin
Hey guys,

My trans started making some terrible noises after about 400 miles after rebuild. It only happens when turning at low to mid throttle. It sounds like axles binding but I replaced both front axles and still have the same noise, only getting worse.

I think I have front diff issues. The diff is kaaz super q with wpc treatment.

I am new to the awd platform (400miles) and I am not sure if there is anything I can do to check the diff before pulling the trans and opening it up. I know some binding can happen based on having the diff setup at full lockup, but the noise was not present for 400 miles, so something changed during that time.

So I ask you guys, if you thought you had diff issues, what would you check first?

Thank you for your time
 
Center diff first. Then front.

My center grenades after about 100 miles, locked itself up, then when I first launched the car it popped and took out the front drive output with a spiral fracture. Up to that point it would bind almost like a welded diff.

With the kaaz, idk if you can adjust the friction level, but if it was set too tight, might have burnt it up over the mileage driven and now it's pissed. But I'd check both front and center diff to be sure.
 
Clicking / clunking like something is binding. I think you are onto something with the clutch packs issue. They are adjustable but based on the orientation and stacking order of the friction surfaces. As recommend it was setup at full lock up/maximum effectice friction surfaces.

I will post a bad video I took to record the noise.
 
No AC bracket, I am using the oem spacer part and brand new oem bolts for the bracket. The bracket has had 2 new bearings in it and both CV axles were swapped out for new cardone units.

I dont think there is really a breakin procedure with this diff but perhaps I am just now finally getting some friction, and before they just slipped and made no noise?

I haven't abused the car at all in the 400 miles, zero launches. I made some tuning pulls at ~ 40lb/min and a bit of playing around, but no hard shifting or clutch drops.

No glitter in the oil that spilled when removing the axles, but I will pull the plug and check the magnet when I get home. Thanks for your suggestions.
 
Oh yea, it also makes the noise when backing out of a parking spot... if that changes anything.
this car has seen about 600 miles over the last 6 years. This trans just went in this July, I spent about $8-9k for the trans/tcase/dss/clutch/flywheel.

Please tell me this isn't typical... I am making very little power, I have NEVER been on a drag strip or race track of any kind. I was driving the car very carefully while breaking in the new clutch. I really would have liked to try out launching before this happened.
 
I don't have any direct experience with LSD fronts, but it definitely doesn't seem right and the progressive sound culmination seems to indicate a problem worsening.

What about putting the car up in the air on stands, putting it in gear and having someone work the wheel back and forth while the other listens and pinpoints the sound location?
It'll be unloaded, but if it's still making noise to an extent you might be able to narrow down the exact spot a bit easier.
 
Thats exactly my line of thinking... if the noise is changing, something is probably letting loose.

I will toss it up on jack stands and see if I can find anything new. I previously only had the front on stands when checking out the axles...

Thanks!
 
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Here is a short video. Not sure what is happening. When I change directions it rotates the driveshaft a tiny bit. When I overpower the resistance it makes the noise. Spider/pinion gears? Cross shaft issue? Am I way off base?
 
Won't let me view the vid?

Try it with all 4 off the ground and see what the rears do while in gear.
If it makes the noise with the rears on the ground and the fronts rotate the same direction (my assumption) then I'm thinking you may have a partially chunked center diff and it's gargling marbles, so to speak.
If the fronts rotate opposite directions, it may be the front diff spider gears or one of them being eaten.
 
Will do. Going to be out of town for a conference so it will be after 8/20. Thanks for the help, I will revive the thread when I get back to the garage.

The video seems to be working for me. If I post the link in autoembeds the video. Paste the link to browser, but remove the x up front xhttps://youtu.be/s679k7UBYNs
 
Is this the original drive-train in the car or has it been swapped? It is important that the trans matches the Transfer Case year. Otherwise you need to swap the pinion gear.
 
The ratios are all matching. TMZ built everything including the tcase. Mods in profile. As I mentioned, this wasnt happening for the first 400ish miles, so I am fairly confident I have the right parts.

It feels like spider gears fighting me when I turn the wheel by hand. When i overpower it the noise seems to be clunking/clicking faster than i am turning the wheel. That is what makes me think the spiders are making the noise. It may be clutches slipping tho.

Trans was full when I did the axles, and I topped it off when I was done. So this thing hasnt driven with low oil or anything like that.

If it is the clutches, perhaps a different trans fluid would change the noise/slipping? I am using the redline oil that I purchased from TMZ at the same time as the trans.
 
That sounds like a bushing/bearing surface has locked against something and its seizing, drain your fluid into something clean so that you can re-use it if its clean and look for metal in it before driving it much further, I would also like to see how it sounds with the rear wheels up but that doesnt sound too good from this angle.
 
Yes the next move is drain it and look for metal. If theres no metal then maybe clutches. I think its time to pull it out and open it up. Something isnt right, and I know in all reality I need to look inside to actually know... I guess I was originally thinking maybe I am lucky and this is something external that I am missing but by the time I made the last video that dream was already dead. Ill post up what I find when I am back home.
 
Like I said before, this is going to be easier for me to see in person. I highly doubt you broke something in the trans like the 4 spider center diff or the KAAZ unless the KAAZ was defective on install. When driving the car straight, does the car have any binding issues or loading issues?

When specifically are you hearing the noises?
Forward straight, forward decel /accel, turning left/right accel/decel, reverse straight, reverse turning accel/decel?

And you are still using redline 75w140NS in the trans?
 
Hey Tim, I didnt want to keep bugging you, I saw you are maybe starting a new line of work and figured you are super busy. Sorry to be a hassle, sir.

The noise only happens when accelerating with the steering wheel turned. It does it in forward or reverse. It is most pronounced when taking off from a stop or backing out of a parking space. It is present taking a normal turn in second, but it isnt as severe.

I am still using the redline oil I picked up with the trans. No metal in oil that leaked when I swapped axles, been dreading removing the drain plug...
 
Nothing is broken then, you have a full lockup clutch type differential installed. We can flip the plates and reduce lockup. Otherwise, you can use a lower friction fluid. I prefer redline 75w140NS, as my car has the same diff and fluid in it. I also have a clutch type rear diff and a 4 spider center with clutch type adelia magic coupler instead of the stock viscous.

My car clunks on all turning.
 
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