Differential Noise

dbm4x409

New Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2007
Location
c-town
I have a 95 grand cherokee and it sounds like the front differential is makin noise. when i'm inbetween 5-20mph is when i can hear it the most because after that all i hear is my exhaust. i checked the fluid the other day and it was really low. i added more hoping to fix the noise but something is still making a whining noise in the front. Could this be something other than the diff and would draining the diff and putting new fluid in it help?
 
Do you have locking hubs or the vaccum lock? Are you driving it in 4wd or 2wd? There shouldn't be any noise from the diff if you are in 2wd.
 
I would take a look at the wheel bearings, I have put a few sets in those model trucks.

Does it change when you turn to the left or right?
 
maybe check the CVs also.
i know when my bearing went bad on an old truck of mine when you jack up one side and turn the wheel you could hear a slight difference in sound. so may try that too.
 
Futbalfantic said:
Do you have locking hubs or the vaccum lock? Are you driving it in 4wd or 2wd? There shouldn't be any noise from the diff if you are in 2wd.
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if I remember correctly, a grand does not have a CAD, Just a solid front axle. The axle shafts and gears will turn all the time. And I would check what eastern said. Put the front on jackstands and check the wheel bearings for play. Also, check the cv like someone said. I cannot remember if they have a cv or just a u-joint. It could be the gears if you cannot find anything else wrong. If it is the gear making noise, you could try to put heavier oil in the diff to quiet it down.
 
My friend has a 98 grand and his sounds like a frickin 18 wheeler. Ever since he bought the thing with 10,000 miles on it had a little noise and progressively got worse and worse and worse, well now nearing 170,000 its unbearable. Its really not that bad but very noticeable and you do have to raise your voice to talk to the driver at if the vehicle is at highway speed. Anyway we put in new outer wheel bearing and seals and in the process noticed the spider gears were really worn. The gears were chipped and pitted and there was a large amount of play between the gears. We ordered new gears and they just came in the mail today, i'll let you know if they help our problem. Anyway spider gears might be something to look at on your vehicle.
 
i checked it out and im pretty sure the wheel bearings are shot. Where are spider gears located? Also...does anyone know where to get some cheep wheel bearings so i dont have to buy the whole hub assembly?
 
My driverside wheel bearing was bad so i replaced it and something is still making noise. It dosnt make as much when im slowing down but something is still messed up. If i hit the gas too hard especially when im pulling out of a parking lot or making a left or right turn, something is making a poping noise. the other day on the trail it was doing the same thing whenever i gave it gas. i replaced my cv's not too long ago but i think i might have messed the drivers side cv up at the same time i messed up the wheel bearing on the trail. Can anyone tell me how to figure out whats messin up an whether its the cv or diff or what?
 
Pull the cover on the diff and look. It's really the only way to tell for sure. If the gears are fine, I'd bet the trashed bearing took out your new cv.
 
dbm4x409 said:
My driverside wheel bearing was bad so i replaced it and something is still making noise. It dosnt make as much when im slowing down but something is still messed up. If i hit the gas too hard especially when im pulling out of a parking lot or making a left or right turn, something is making a poping noise. the other day on the trail it was doing the same thing whenever i gave it gas. i replaced my cv's not too long ago but i think i might have messed the drivers side cv up at the same time i messed up the wheel bearing on the trail. Can anyone tell me how to figure out whats messin up an whether its the cv or diff or what?
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If you have the full-time transfer (QuadraTrac?) it sounds like it could be the viscous coupling. MBAlbritton fought that on his ZJ and did sound like something in the front axle... only didn't go away after swapping the axles/unit bearings (in the old Tarheel/CRS lot... ah, the good ol' days :flipoff2: )

Also, check to make sure the motor mounts aren't fragged... if so, the engine can list over, twisting the tranny/TC, and allow the front shaft to knock...
 
The only time it pops is when i speed up too fast. I have the QuadraTrac. The whining noise sounds like its coming from my front right tire/wheel. Where would the noise come from for the VC?
 
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