howling gears!!

[vanwilder692]

i know this may sound dumb, but when i am decelerating either in 5th 4th or 3rd gear i am hearing a howling sound, however, when i throw it into neutral the howling stops no matter what the speed is, but, when i throw her back into whatever gear i choose, depending on the speed, the howling returns. everyone tells me the gears or axel bearing are on their way out, but i can't keep but think that the problem is the tranny, and not the rear end. any words of wisdom?? the rear end is after market 4.11's, but the tranny is also aftermarket, both changed at the same time, and the howling started after the swaps! gear oil with limited slip added, and also manual trans oil correct level and changed!

 

[Roland69]

if the noise goes away when in neutral and still moving I'd say tranny......but maby your are hearing the exhaust drown and than when you put it in neutral and let off the gas the exhaust noise goes away. hard to tell without hearing it in person

 

[bullitstang1313]

gear oil with limited slip added, and also manual trans oil correct level and changed!

I don't know what trans you are using, but a T-5 uses ATF and a TKO uses GM sychromesh. I don't know if this has anything to do with your sound issue, but I thought you might want to know.

 

[vanwilder692]

I don't know what trans you are using, but a T-5 uses ATF and a TKO uses GM sychromesh. I don't know if this has anything to do with your sound issue, but I thought you might want to know.

sorry i meant to say that the rear end has correct weight oil with limited slip additive, and the manual trans, has correct oil level as well.

 

[fastranger347]

its probly your rear gears BECAUSE if you throw it in netrual you are taking the compression load of the engine off of the gear set, with no load, no noise, you also have the noise on acceleration but you can hear it over the exhaust

 

[1991vert]

its probly your rear gears BECAUSE if you throw it in netrual you are taking the compression load of the engine off of the gear set, with no load, no noise, you also have the noise on acceleration but you can hear it over the exhaust

hey, guess what? the driveshaft still turns in neutral, therefore so don't the gears.

the rear end doesn't know what gear you're in so if it only does it in certain gears, it's more than likely your transmission.

 

[fastranger347]

um hey guess what; if its in netrual is it trying to pump 8 cylinders with out the throttle body being opened up? um ,no! the engine is idleing on its own without any help or hinderence from the trans or drivetrain, gears ( whether they be in the trans or rear) dont wear out from letting your car coast in netrual they wear from thrust,shear,and torsenal loads that can only be created by LOADING the drivetrain; the reason he might not hear it in 1 or 2nd is the rpm is higher on the engine (making more noise) AND the ring and pinion speed might not be high enough yet to produce the harmonic created by irregular wear on the tooth face, BUT the increased axle speed of 3rd,4th,5th Obviously allows the resonance frequency to be more pronounced; but your right on one thing the rear doesnt know which gear the trans is in, i dont think the rear really cares either

 

[FOXtool]

VERY WELL SAID FR347, I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID. SOME PEOPLE JUST DONT UNDERSTAND.

 

[Roland69]

foot on the gas= gears under load

foot off the gas = gears not under load

 

[Mikie]

um hey guess what; if its in netrual is it trying to pump 8 cylinders with out the throttle body being opened up? um ,no! the engine is idleing on its own without any help or hinderence from the trans or drivetrain, gears ( whether they be in the trans or rear) dont wear out from letting your car coast in netrual they wear from thrust,shear,and torsenal loads that can only be created by LOADING the drivetrain; the reason he might not hear it in 1 or 2nd is the rpm is higher on the engine (making more noise) AND the ring and pinion speed might not be high enough yet to produce the harmonic created by irregular wear on the tooth face, BUT the increased axle speed of 3rd,4th,5th Obviously allows the resonance frequency to be more pronounced; but your right on one thing the rear doesnt know which gear the trans is in, i dont think the rear really cares either

You are correct. Dont worry about your tranny as I can promise you that you have rear end problems. Been there, Done that!
Same symptoms exactly...and the culprit is ( drum role ) Aftermarket gears.
I can bet you have a set of Richmonds in there. I used them once and after a while they started whinning pretty good. Especially on the decceleration.

Dont get me wrong, Im not saying that all aftermarket gear companies are junk. I have seen from first hand experience that your odds of getting a bad set increase substancially when using the aftermarket companies gears.

 

[GT_Rich]

A couple comments:

1. I 100% agree with FR347.

2. Roland69: Foot on the gas = gear under load. Foot off the gas = gears still under load IF the car is still in gear. Only difference being direction of loading is reversed (i.e. - you slow down faster in gear than in neutral with you foot off the gas). In fatigue analysis, a cycle is often defined by the transition between loading the gears via acceleration vs. deceleration.

3. I'll agree with the culprit being aftermarket gears. I have the same noises (only in 4th and 5th for me). I'm running Richmond 3.73's. I know Richmond uses a different style gear tooth (straighter cut) which is supposed to be stronger, but in turn produces more noise. Not sure about the other aftermarket gear sets.

 

[ronburgundy]

its the rear, 4th gear in the tranny should NEVER make noise.

 

[Mikie]

I know Richmond uses a different style gear tooth (straighter cut) which is supposed to be stronger, but in turn produces more noise.

I have also heard that...about the strength. I checked Richmonds product line and found that they have a 3.73 thick gear and a regular one...hmmmmm
Sounds like if you could put up with the mild howling of the thick gears then you would have a stout setup for launching at the track.

 

[fastranger347]

im running motive gear 3.90's

 

[1991vert]

you get what you pay for. crappy install is also possible.

 

[vanwilder692]

you guys are all awesome! thanks alot for the comments, and ideas!! and yes they are richmond gears from summit, the problem is that both rear end and tranny came from a 91 notch back that was strictly strip, looking back not knowing how many 1/4 runs where on the rear and tranny i made a bad choice. but its all part of learning. (but expensive)!!

 

[1fastsn95]

I have also heard that...about the strength. I checked Richmonds product line and found that they have a 3.73 thick gear and a regular one...hmmmmm
Sounds like if you could put up with the mild howling of the thick gears then you would have a stout setup for launching at the track.

I think Richmond produces 2 types. One for racing purposes and one for street duty. The one for street duty is machined a litle more for a quieter ride, whereas the one for racing/off road is not. You wouldnt care if one howls a little in an all out race car, but you would want it to be stronger. This is what I have heard anyway.