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REAR DIFFERENTIAL
REAR DIFFERENTIAL
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OPERATION
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DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR
DIFFERENTIAL NOISE
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LUBRICANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
DESCRIPTION
The rear axle is equipped with a 3.27:1 ratio for the optimum combination of performance and economy.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transmission through the propeller shaft. The propeller shaft is connected to the
pinion gear which rotates the differential through the gear mesh with the ring gear bolted to the differential case. The
engine power is transmitted to the axle shafts through the pinion mate and side gears. The side gears are splined
to the axle shafts.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISE
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubricant, incorrect backlash, incorrect pinion depth, tooth contact,
worn/damaged gears, or the carrier housing not having the proper offset and squareness.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed range. The noise can also occur during a specific type of driving
condition. These conditions are acceleration, deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, first warm-up the axle fluid by driving the vehicle at least 5 miles and then accelerate the vehicle
to the speed range where the noise is the greatest. Shift out-of-gear and coast through the peak-noise range. If the
noise stops or changes greatly:
• Check for insufficient lubricant.
• Incorrect ring gear backlash.
• Gear damage.
Differential side gears and pinions can be checked by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause noise during
straight-ahead driving when the gears are unloaded. The side gears are loaded during vehicle turns. A worn pinion
shaft can also cause a snapping or a knocking noise.
BEARING NOISE
The halfshafts, differential and pinion bearings can all produce noise when worn or damaged. Bearing noise can be
either a whining, or a growling sound.
Pinion bearings have a constant-pitch noise. This noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion bearing noise will
be higher pitched because it rotates at a faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differential. If bearing noise
occurs, the rear pinion bearing is the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is heard during a coast, the front
pinion bearing is the source.
REAR DIFFERENTIAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SPECIAL TOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
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