S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

Differential Going Bad?

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Old Oct 17, 2016 | 11:07 PM
  #11  
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It was changed only a month or so ago. I brought it in because I couldn't figure it out, and it stumped the mechanic. Ended up changing the diff fluid (think 75W-90 but not sure what brand) but that didn't fix the problem. Now they say it might be a driveshaft balancing issue. So we're pretty lost. Car has 128k miles on it. It started on a roadtrip so it may be related to the excess load we put in the back (I'm guessing)
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 09:52 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by s2000Junky
Try running 75/140w. It solved my diff noise/groaning issue.
I assume that since 140 is thicker when heated up than 90 it deadens any noise from the diff?
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 10:07 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by RolanTHUNDER
Originally Posted by s2000Junky' timestamp='1476742505' post='24086223
Try running 75/140w. It solved my diff noise/groaning issue.
I assume that since 140 is thicker when heated up than 90 it deadens any noise from the diff?
Yes, it surely can. 75 is the same cold flow which is important, but the 140 is a thicker viscosity when the diff is up to temp, which is when the high mileage diff starts to act out. I'm not saying its a 100% fix in all cases, but its treated me very well. I recommend trying it before you go spending money on digging into or replacing the diff.
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 10:26 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by S2k007
Ok thanks guys, I'll give that a shot. Hopefully I can do it fast enough so it doesn't cool down. I still don't understand why it only makes the sound after 20mins of driving or so.
metal expands and contracts with heat ..
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 02:27 PM
  #15  
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i have a whirring noise from my diff being damaged when the diff pinion nut came loose and the wheels would vibrate under acceleration. changed the fluid 3 times and metal bits would come out each time after 100 miles of driving.

tightened up the pinion nut and had whirring noise constantly probably from damaged bearings in the diff or something.

running 140w diff oil, doesn't get rid of the noise but probably holding the diff together before it explodes. going to use 190w next time i change out the diff oil.
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Old Oct 18, 2016 | 03:57 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by iaincase
It was changed only a month or so ago. I brought it in because I couldn't figure it out, and it stumped the mechanic. Ended up changing the diff fluid (think 75W-90 but not sure what brand) but that didn't fix the problem. Now they say it might be a driveshaft balancing issue. So we're pretty lost. Car has 128k miles on it. It started on a roadtrip so it may be related to the excess load we put in the back (I'm guessing)

Originally Posted by jyeung528
i have a whirring noise from my diff being damaged when the diff pinion nut came loose and the wheels would vibrate under acceleration. changed the fluid 3 times and metal bits would come out each time after 100 miles of driving.

tightened up the pinion nut and had whirring noise constantly probably from damaged bearings in the diff or something.

running 140w diff oil, doesn't get rid of the noise but probably holding the diff together before it explodes. going to use 190w next time i change out the diff oil.

You guys may have stress cracks in the pinion gear. As the rear gets hot and expands or load is put on the rear the crack(s) expand and cause a whining sound. The issue I find more so in AP2 differentials than in the AP1, both have a 4.10 ratio but the gear sets are different.
Attached Thumbnails Differential Going Bad?-image.jpg  
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Old Oct 19, 2016 | 06:30 AM
  #17  
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Sound changes when steering side to side? Wheel bearings?
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Old Oct 19, 2016 | 06:34 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by S2KPUDDYDAD
You guys may have stress cracks in the pinion gear. As the rear gets hot and expands or load is put on the rear the crack(s) expand and cause a whining sound. The issue I find more so in AP2 differentials than in the AP1, both have a 4.10 ratio but the gear sets are different.
Ugh! Stress cracks occurs with age and use? Or certain diff sets with poor heat treating?

Thanks!
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Old Oct 19, 2016 | 08:29 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by windhund116
Originally Posted by S2KPUDDYDAD' timestamp='1476835056' post='24087127
You guys may have stress cracks in the pinion gear. As the rear gets hot and expands or load is put on the rear the crack(s) expand and cause a whining sound. The issue I find more so in AP2 differentials than in the AP1, both have a 4.10 ratio but the gear sets are different.
Ugh! Stress cracks occurs with age and use? Or certain diff sets with poor heat treating?

Thanks!

Mostly age and stress from spirited use, nothing last forever. I do repair and build the S2000 differential, you are welcome to PM me if you need to fix the issue or need options or advice
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Old Oct 26, 2016 | 12:48 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by S2KPUDDYDAD
You guys may have stress cracks in the pinion gear. As the rear gets hot and expands or load is put on the rear the crack(s) expand and cause a whining sound. The issue I find more so in AP2 differentials than in the AP1, both have a 4.10 ratio but the gear sets are different.
about how long can these pinion gears last with stress cracks? and the when they don't "last" anything, I assume the diff will just explode and the car stops moving?
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