Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures

Gear Noise
Gear noise (whine) is audible from speeds 35-50 mph under the following driving conditions; drive-acceleration or heavy pull, road load-vehicle driving load or constant speed, float-vehicle slows down gradually but engine still pulls slightly, coast-throttle closed and vehicle in gear.

Bearing Noise
When bearings are worn or damaged they usually produce a rough growl or grating noise, rather than the whining noise produced by a bad gear. Bearings frequently produce a ``wow-wow'' noise at bearing RPM, this sound would indicate a worn or damaged pinion or rear axle side bearing. This noise could easily be confused with a rear wheel bearing noise. Inspect and replace as required.

Rear Wheel Bearing Noise
A defective rear wheel bearing will produce a noise which continues when vehicle is coasting at a low speed and transaxle in neutral. Noise may diminish when braking lightly. To check bearings, raise rear wheels, then spin wheels by hand and listen at hubs for bearing noise.

Knock At Low Speeds
Low speed knock could be the result of a worn universal joint or a side gear hub counterbore in differential case worn oversize. Inspect and replace propeller shaft or differential case and side gear as required.

Backlash Clunk
An excessive clunk when accelerating or decelerating can be caused by a worn rear axle pinion shaft, worn case, excessive clearance between axle shaft and side gear splines, excessive clearance between side gear hub and counterbore in case, worn pinion and side gear teeth, worn thrust washers and excessive drive pinion and ring gear backlash. Replace worn parts as needed and adjust pinion and ring gear backlash.