whine/whistle over 50MPH
#1
whine/whistle over 50MPH
1993 Chevrolet G20, 6 cylinder, short wheel base.
I'm almost positive it's coming from the drive shaft and/or transaxle. I have some amount of leakage where the shaft exits the transmission as well as where it enters the transaxle. The van has whistled softly ever since I purchased it less than 30k miles ago. It hasn't gotten worse, but it's still there. What I'm looking for is other possibilities to cross out before I finally go through with replacing the whole damn rear end. It's been delegated to weekender status since I realized it was probably the shaft/transaxle whining, I'm afraid to take it too far for fear of creating too much heat if things are bad back there and ending up with a real mess on my hands.
I'm going to take a video of the whining in the AM, hopefully my camera's audio input is decent enough that it'll pick up on the sound.
I'm almost positive it's coming from the drive shaft and/or transaxle. I have some amount of leakage where the shaft exits the transmission as well as where it enters the transaxle. The van has whistled softly ever since I purchased it less than 30k miles ago. It hasn't gotten worse, but it's still there. What I'm looking for is other possibilities to cross out before I finally go through with replacing the whole damn rear end. It's been delegated to weekender status since I realized it was probably the shaft/transaxle whining, I'm afraid to take it too far for fear of creating too much heat if things are bad back there and ending up with a real mess on my hands.
I'm going to take a video of the whining in the AM, hopefully my camera's audio input is decent enough that it'll pick up on the sound.
#2
Differential. Not transaxle.
usually a worn diff will whine, or make a grr sound. How long since the fluid was changed? If its really black, then it should have been changed ages ago.
See if the fluid change helps, but if the ring and pinion are worn, then nothing will fix it.
The fluid loss at the front seal could just mean worn seals. The ones at the drums are likely leaking too.
How many miles on the van?
It could also be a tranny issue. How long since that fluid was changed?
usually a worn diff will whine, or make a grr sound. How long since the fluid was changed? If its really black, then it should have been changed ages ago.
See if the fluid change helps, but if the ring and pinion are worn, then nothing will fix it.
The fluid loss at the front seal could just mean worn seals. The ones at the drums are likely leaking too.
How many miles on the van?
It could also be a tranny issue. How long since that fluid was changed?
#3
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Fritch TX
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do you have a good mechanic
these older vans are fairly straight forward. take it to the shop to have them figure out whats up. then you can decide if ots something you can handle or bite the bullet and let them.
#4
Differential. Not transaxle.
usually a worn diff will whine, or make a grr sound.
How long since the fluid was changed? If its really black, then it should have been changed ages ago.
See if the fluid change helps, but if the ring and pinion are worn, then nothing will fix it. The fluid loss at the front seal could just mean worn seals. The ones at the drums are likely leaking too. How many miles on the van?
It could also be a tranny issue. How long since that fluid was changed?
I currently have the van on the lift to replace the winter tread so I took a couple pics. I should still have a video up tonight.
Last edited by the68; April 30th, 2014 at 3:30 PM.
#5
I took a video. The camera really picked up on the whirring, so I'm currently uploading it to my youtube account. I'll post it when I get back on tonight, I have to switch vehicles now and do some routine maintenance on the motorcycle.
#6
You replaced the axle bearings? Did you re and re the ring and pinion to do that? I ask because differentials are notorious for being noisy after a rebuild. They are hard to set up the clearances just right....
The oil at the back of the tranny is dark. Are you sure its not engine oil? Taste test time.....lol
The oil at the back of the tranny is dark. Are you sure its not engine oil? Taste test time.....lol
#7
You replaced the axle bearings? Did you re and re the ring and pinion to do that?
I ask because differentials are notorious for being noisy after a rebuild. They are hard to set up the clearances just right....
I ask because differentials are notorious for being noisy after a rebuild. They are hard to set up the clearances just right....
I did check the transmission fluid. It was just to level and relatively clean.
The oil at the back of the tranny is dark. Are you sure its not engine oil? Taste test time.....lol
Here's the youtube video. The video itself is irrelevant. It's almost 6 minutes long and I don't expect anyone to sit through all of that; you can hear the whirring most clearly at 3:10 and on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysTz...ature=youtu.be
When the engine has a load on it (going uphill) at low gear you can't really hear it, but once you get into higher gear at higher speeds it starts whirring. I've found it is loudest on the decel and when coasting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysTz...ature=youtu.be
Last edited by the68; April 30th, 2014 at 9:47 PM.
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#8
Yup. My last van sounded like that. The dummy PO never changed the diff fluid and it was jet black. New fluid helped a bit, but I mostly had to live with it. Once the gears start that whine, its had to fix. Maybe keep an eye out for an axle at a wrecker, and just swap it.
My dad told me in the old days they used to put sawdust in the diff to quiet them down.....lol
My dad told me in the old days they used to put sawdust in the diff to quiet them down.....lol
#9
Yup. My last van sounded like that. The dummy PO never changed the diff fluid and it was jet black. New fluid helped a bit, but I mostly had to live with it. Once the gears start that whine, its had to fix. Maybe keep an eye out for an axle at a wrecker, and just swap it.
My dad told me in the old days they used to put sawdust in the diff to quiet them down.....lol
My dad told me in the old days they used to put sawdust in the diff to quiet them down.....lol
lol yah, my brother (who is more mechanically inclined than myself) told me the same thing about the sawdust. He said jerks will do it to a vehicle they're planning to sell soon to save them the trouble of fixing it for the purpose of the sale. smh
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