Looking for help identifying possible cause of this axle whine

[GregBelleville]

I've noticed this whining sound coming from my rear end and am trying to identify what's causing it. I can only hear it as I'm accelerating from a stop while turning at very low speeds. I'm posting a video my son helped me capture of it while I was reversing into my driveway. The sound happens both in forward and reverse.

The sound increases with acceleration but quickly either dies or is drowned out by noise of the engine at higher speeds, not sure which.

I'm getting ready to do my first gear oil change soon once the lube locker gets here. I'm curious if anyone thinks this may be diff or axle related?

Edit: adding additional info about my Jeep.

1999, 4.0, with the 32rh.
Dana 30 front, Dana 35 rear

 

[AndyG]

You need to jack it up and see if replicates it as the wheels turn- and dump the and inspect the gear oil. Something is going on.

 

[JMT]

I've noticed this whining sound coming from my rear end and am trying to identify what's causing it. I can only hear it as I'm accelerating from a stop while turning at very low speeds. I'm posting a video my son helped me capture of it while I was reversing into my driveway. The sound happens both in forward and reverse.

The sound increases with acceleration but quickly either dies or is drowned out by noise of the engine at higher speeds, not sure which.

I'm getting ready to do my first gear oil change soon once the lube locker gets here. I'm curious if anyone thinks this may be diff or axle related?

Edit: adding additional info about my Jeep.

1999, 4.0, with the 32rh.
Dana 30 front, Dana 35 rear

View attachment 444883

Whining is usually a gear problem.

 

[GregBelleville]

You need to jack it up and see if replicates it as the wheels turn- and dump the and inspect the gear oil. Something is going on.

Are you saying run it in gear while on stands or just rotate by hand?

 

[GregBelleville]

Whining is usually a gear problem.

Any ideas why it's only happening while turning even though it's the rear axle?

 

[JMT]

Any ideas why it's only happening while turning even though it's the rear axle?

When turning and accelerating the gears are under load.

 

[AndyG]

Are you saying run it in gear while on stands or just rotate by hand?

Both


But based on what I’m saying it’s not going to produce noise it is the limited slip differential that needs to be checked out- It’s designed to let one wheel go faster than the other when you turn and something is not working right

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Differential whine can be caused by bad or worn bearings. Here is a great page to help: Gear Whine

 

[GregBelleville]

Differential whine can be caused by bad or worn bearings. Here is a great page to help: Gear Whine

Thanks for that link!

This seems to most accurately describe what I'm hearing, will have to post more pics once I get the diff opened up hopefully this weekend.

 

[GregBelleville]

This post is attracting a lot of Andy's I'm noticing.

 

[AndyG]

This post is attracting a lot of Andy's I'm noticing.

Don’t be confused with imitations....

 

[GregBelleville]

Ok all, happy Sunday on this Lord's day!

My 10 year old helped me open up the rear diff and I'm going to post several pictures of what I'm seeing to get opinions from y'all with experience with this stuff cuz this is first time ever laid eyes on the innards of a differential.

To my untrained eye i am seeing some signs of wear to the carrier as well as the spider gears, however I have no idea whether this is severe enough to warrant further repair or replacement of anything, or whether I should seal it back up, fill with oil and send it.

I'm attaching photos with some sign of wear on the carrier close to the ring gear where I noticed it is shinier. I watched a video posted by @hosejockey61 where he rebuilds a Dana 35 that had somewhat similar wear pattern.

I'm also seeing what looks like pitting on the spider gears.

Last I'm posting a photo of some numbering on the ring gear which seems to show a date code from 1998 meaning this may be original gears for my rig? The confusing part is the tag on the diff indicates a 3.73 ratio, but the ring gear appears to be labeled 4.11? Also counted 41 gears on the ring and 11 on the pinion. So maybe the original gears were replaced at some point?

 

[hosejockey61]

41:11=3:73 gears. Your winning could be a number of bearing issues. It's a Dana 35. You need to decide whether or not you want to dump money into it or not. If you feel you can do the work yourself with the help of this forum, it might be worth it to save a LOT of money. I can't say for sure what the problem is because the video sounds like you're driving a diesel. The spiders show wear and I would guess your bearings could be replaced. If that doesn't solve your problem, then a new full setup is required with new gears. But I don't know since it's not sitting in front of me. Plenty of Andy's in here to help I'm sure...

 

[hosejockey61]

And if you decide to do it on your own, for god's sake measure the backlash and run a pattern before pulling anything apart. And take pictures of said pattern so you have something to reference. Notes help a lot. Mark bearing caps before removal. Oh shit, here we go again.....

 

[GregBelleville]

41:11=3:73 gears. Your winning could be a number of bearing issues. It's a Dana 35. You need to decide whether or not you want to dump money into it or not. If you feel you can do the work yourself with the help of this forum, it might be worth it to save a LOT of money. I can't say for sure what the problem is because the video sounds like you're driving a diesel. The spiders show wear and I would guess your bearings could be replaced. If that doesn't solve your problem, then a new full setup is required with new gears. But I don't know since it's not sitting in front of me. Plenty of Andy's in here to help I'm sure...

My long-term plan is to upgrade to a super 35, so at this point I'm just trying to figure out if what I'm seeing here means that that might need to happen sooner rather than later.