Rear End Differential Noise
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From: Dallas, TX
Rear End Differential Noise
My rear end diff was making noise late last week and I took it to my mechanic to check it out. We drained the differential fluid and it looked like metallic paint. It was last changed about 5 months ago. It is sc'd (vortech) and new clutch as of 4 months ago which is a stage 4 competition clutch. We flushed the diff with regular oil and let it run for a few seconds while on the rack at 5mph. Again, there were metal particles but less this time. We replaced the diff fluid and I am having it removed and inspected for damage this week.
I suspect that the stage 4 clutch which had major chatter and now that it is broken in, very little to no chatter at start from first gear, is putting a lot of stress on the diff. Although I don't drop the clutch, I will drive aggressive from time to time just like anyone else. It has not been tracked or raced.
What are the potential problems that caused the noise and metal shavings?
What will I need to replace considering what I described with the metal particles in the fluid? LSD, ring gears, bearings?
And what are the alternatives for fixing the problem - replace entirely, replace components? How much?!!
Thanks for your input.
Paul
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How many miles are on it? Did you check the fluid level before you dropped it.
I have some experience with final drives on dozers and large equipment. So this is just a guess.
First guess would be bearings, once you get large wear metals in the fluid they pit and spawl the bearings and then you get that metalic paint looking fluid. That debris will pit the gears, but if they in good shape, no broken teeth or fracture, then you can run them out longer.
Let us know what you find.
I have some experience with final drives on dozers and large equipment. So this is just a guess.
First guess would be bearings, once you get large wear metals in the fluid they pit and spawl the bearings and then you get that metalic paint looking fluid. That debris will pit the gears, but if they in good shape, no broken teeth or fracture, then you can run them out longer.
Let us know what you find.
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Negcamber - I will PM puddydad.
Supra-holic - Good guess. I just took it to a new shop and they really know their stuff. One of them used to live in Japan on worked on S2k's. He said that all three bearings are going out and so is the differential, most likely due to the stage 4 clutch. Recommends replacing it with a Japanese made high performance diff. He is supposed to call me back this afternoon with some recommendations.
They said that I can still drive it for another week or two, but I would prefer not to since it will wear the gears like you mentioned. Seems like there is a chain reaction effect once debris makes its way into the casing.
I did not see any broken teeth when draining the fluid fortunately. Any other parts that have the potential of prematurely wearing out? I might replace the disc with stage 2 or 3 to put less stress on the tranny and rest of the drive train.
Hopefully it will all be under a grand.
Paul
Supra-holic - Good guess. I just took it to a new shop and they really know their stuff. One of them used to live in Japan on worked on S2k's. He said that all three bearings are going out and so is the differential, most likely due to the stage 4 clutch. Recommends replacing it with a Japanese made high performance diff. He is supposed to call me back this afternoon with some recommendations.
They said that I can still drive it for another week or two, but I would prefer not to since it will wear the gears like you mentioned. Seems like there is a chain reaction effect once debris makes its way into the casing.
I did not see any broken teeth when draining the fluid fortunately. Any other parts that have the potential of prematurely wearing out? I might replace the disc with stage 2 or 3 to put less stress on the tranny and rest of the drive train.
Hopefully it will all be under a grand.
Paul
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From: Conway, AR
Originally Posted by p-hizzle,Feb 23 2009, 03:30 PM
Negcamber - I will PM puddydad.
Supra-holic - Good guess. I just took it to a new shop and they really know their stuff. One of them used to live in Japan on worked on S2k's. He said that all three bearings are going out and so is the differential, most likely due to the stage 4 clutch. Recommends replacing it with a Japanese made high performance diff. He is supposed to call me back this afternoon with some recommendations.
They said that I can still drive it for another week or two, but I would prefer not to since it will wear the gears like you mentioned. Seems like there is a chain reaction effect once debris makes its way into the casing.
I did not see any broken teeth when draining the fluid fortunately. Any other parts that have the potential of prematurely wearing out? I might replace the disc with stage 2 or 3 to put less stress on the tranny and rest of the drive train.
Hopefully it will all be under a grand.
Paul
Supra-holic - Good guess. I just took it to a new shop and they really know their stuff. One of them used to live in Japan on worked on S2k's. He said that all three bearings are going out and so is the differential, most likely due to the stage 4 clutch. Recommends replacing it with a Japanese made high performance diff. He is supposed to call me back this afternoon with some recommendations.
They said that I can still drive it for another week or two, but I would prefer not to since it will wear the gears like you mentioned. Seems like there is a chain reaction effect once debris makes its way into the casing.
I did not see any broken teeth when draining the fluid fortunately. Any other parts that have the potential of prematurely wearing out? I might replace the disc with stage 2 or 3 to put less stress on the tranny and rest of the drive train.
Hopefully it will all be under a grand.
Paul
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 318
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Originally Posted by p-hizzle,Feb 23 2009, 03:30 PM
Negcamber - I will PM puddydad.
Supra-holic - Good guess. I just took it to a new shop and they really know their stuff. One of them used to live in Japan on worked on S2k's. He said that all three bearings are going out and so is the differential, most likely due to the stage 4 clutch. Recommends replacing it with a Japanese made high performance diff. He is supposed to call me back this afternoon with some recommendations.
They said that I can still drive it for another week or two, but I would prefer not to since it will wear the gears like you mentioned. Seems like there is a chain reaction effect once debris makes its way into the casing.
I did not see any broken teeth when draining the fluid fortunately. Any other parts that have the potential of prematurely wearing out? I might replace the disc with stage 2 or 3 to put less stress on the tranny and rest of the drive train.
Hopefully it will all be under a grand.
Paul
Supra-holic - Good guess. I just took it to a new shop and they really know their stuff. One of them used to live in Japan on worked on S2k's. He said that all three bearings are going out and so is the differential, most likely due to the stage 4 clutch. Recommends replacing it with a Japanese made high performance diff. He is supposed to call me back this afternoon with some recommendations.
They said that I can still drive it for another week or two, but I would prefer not to since it will wear the gears like you mentioned. Seems like there is a chain reaction effect once debris makes its way into the casing.
I did not see any broken teeth when draining the fluid fortunately. Any other parts that have the potential of prematurely wearing out? I might replace the disc with stage 2 or 3 to put less stress on the tranny and rest of the drive train.
Hopefully it will all be under a grand.
Paul
The wear on the gears would not be the main concern. What I see happen a lot at my job is that wornout bearings break from the retainer case and fall into the gearset leading to catistrophic failure.
I'm not sure how the clutch would lead to bearing failure? Any insight from the mech on this?
That is why I asked how many miles it had, and if there was a chance of a leak or low fluid.
Curious too on what fluid your running and the change out interval.
If they break it down, take some pics.
Where is this shop at, and name, I'm in Dallas too.
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The diff will start with a slight jerking feeling followed with a very faint clunking noise. It only gets worse. The noise is the one or two messed up teeth coming back into contact with the ring gear.