2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 12, 2007 | 1:27 PM

cc2006_1973

Thread Starter

CF Beginner

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

Need some guidence on how to fix my problem. About 6 months ago, I noticed a high whine coming from underneth the vehicle, around the rear diff area. The high whine has progressively gotten louder to the point that I needed to do something about it. I did some reading on other forums and though that the problem might be solved by changing out the rear diff fluid. I changed out the fluid with 75/90 synthetic oil which was recommended by the service guys at my local chevy dealership. Well, that didn't work. The high whine is still there. I looked under the vehicle again to see if I was mistaken about where the noise was coming from and determined that it is coming from the rear diff. What do you experts think my problem could be? Can this be something that I can fix myself or will I have to take it to the dealership to get it fixed? I am willing to do the job myself if it can be done.

Jan 13, 2007 | 2:45 AM

engine2

CF Veteran

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,682

Likes: 3

RE: 2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

Do you have the G80 (locking rear differential)? I believe there is a GM additive that is supposed to be added. Most any GM parts guy will know the technical name for the additive. All I know it that it comes in a 4 ounce bottle. Good Luck

Jan 13, 2007 | 10:15 AM

golfer

CF Pro Member

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 611

Likes: 1

From:

RE: 2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

Quote:

ORIGINAL: cc2006_1973

Need some guidence on how to fix my problem. About 6 months ago, I noticed a high whine coming from underneth the vehicle, around the rear diff area. The high whine has progressively gotten louder to the point that I needed to do something about it. I did some reading on other forums and though that the problem might be solved by changing out the rear diff fluid. I changed out the fluid with 75/90 synthetic oil which was recommended by the service guys at my local chevy dealership. Well, that didn't work. The high whine is still there. I looked under the vehicle again to see if I was mistaken about where the noise was coming from and determined that it is coming from the rear diff. What do you experts think my problem could be? Can this be something that I can fix myself or will I have to take it to the dealership to get it fixed? I am willing to do the job myself if it can be done.

Not sure what you mean by looking under the vehicle to see if the noise was still there. Unless you had the rear jacked up and with the wheels off the ground and in drive spinningthem.

In which case was the sound coming from the front of the diff. ?

You could have problems with the u-joint or the pinion or axle bearings.

Jan 13, 2007 | 5:35 PM

SLJ2137694

CF Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 77

Likes: 3

From:

RE: 2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

If you have a whine that get louder and higher pitched the faster you go, sort of like a siren, it may be pinion bearings. Differential additive has nothing to do with this complaint and it is very probable that the differential lube you installed already had the additive in it. Check the container for that information. This is a long shot but I have personally seen abnormal tire tread wear set up noises that you would think were a mechanical noise so check your tires.

Aug 3, 2007 | 9:28 PM

rzc

CF Beginner

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From:

RE: 2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

I have no clue about Suburbans, my wife just got a 01 from her parents. Yesterday I noticed when you first start the car it's sound OK but after driving around town when we are on a stop I can hear a high pitch whinning noise? Should I be concerned?

Aug 4, 2007 | 12:08 AM

RonH

CF Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 424

Likes: 2

From:

RE: 2001 Suburban Rear Diff Noise

Quote:

ORIGINAL: rzc

I have no clue about Suburbans, my wife just got a 01 from her parents. Yesterday I noticed when you first start the car it's sound OK but after driving around town when we are on a stop I can hear a high pitch whinning noise? Should I be concerned?

If you are saying the whining can be heard coming from the rear of the vehicle when you are stopped, it's probably the fuel pump. Some of them can be really loud.