Noise Diagnosis

Notice: Do not attempt to operate the vehicle without supporting the lower control arm. When the wheel drive shaft CV joints are at a high angle, extra vibrations can occur and may damage the seals and the joints.

Any gear-driven unit produces a certain amount of noise that is normal and you cannot eliminate this noise by conventional repairs or adjustments. A slight noise that you hear only at a certain speed or under unusual or remote conditions is acceptable. For example, a noise that tends to reach a peak at speeds from 60-100 km/h (40-60 mph) depending on the road conditions, the load conditions, the gear ratio, or the tire size does not indicate trouble in the axle assembly.

When you suspect an axle of being noisy, inspect the axle in order to determine whether the noise originates in 1 of the following locations:
^ The tires
^ The road surface
^ The wheelbearings
^ The engine
^ The transmission
^ The propeller shaft
^ The axle assembly

Raise the tire pressure in order to eliminate tire noise. This action will not silence the tread noise of mud and snow tires. Listening for the noise at varying speeds and road surfaces, on drive, float, and coast conditions will help locate the source of the noise.