Really loud whine: is it my 5speed or my rear end?

[JimTMich]

About a week ago I noticed a funny whine. Now, it's so loud I'm scared to drive my car. It's only there when moving, pitch is proportional to road speed, pushing in the clutch doesn't stop it, accelerating or decelerating increases teh volume. I had my car checked over by a local garage last week and they said no exhaust leaks or engine troubles, must be the trans or rear end. I have an appointment with Ford Monday. Driving my wifes minivan today
So what is wrong?

 

[Thundermouse]

sounds like rear end to me

 

[gtstangau]

My rear end sounds like that to, not that loud but it does whine.

 

[JimTMich]

My rear end sounds like that to, not that loud but it does whine.

This went from "I think I hear something different" to "I can't talk over the noise without really raising my voise" in 5 days.

Sounds like you are in a better situation than I.

Oooh if my gears are damaged, then I need to install new ones.."sir, while you are in there why don't you put in 4.10's"

 

[sgarlic]

Do you have aftermarket gears? If so, who installed them, and what brand?

I think if you had anything earlier than an '04, I'd recommend checking and perhaps changing the differential fluid, but unless you've contaminated it somehow, or developed a leak, it's probably ok. Sounds like you've got some metal to metal contact going on there somehow.

Anyway, yeah, you're still under warranty probably right? Just bring it in with road noise in the rear end, and ask them while they're replacing the ring and pinion for free, if they could just use the 3.73 ring and pinion set instead.

 

[JimTMich]

Do you have aftermarket gears? If so, who installed them, and what brand?

I think if you had anything earlier than an '04, I'd recommend checking and perhaps changing the differential fluid, but unless you've contaminated it somehow, or developed a leak, it's probably ok. Sounds like you've got some metal to metal contact going on there somehow.

Anyway, yeah, you're still under warranty probably right? Just bring it in with road noise in the rear end, and ask them while they're replacing the ring and pinion for free, if they could just use the 3.73 ring and pinion set instead.

Stock gears.

it has 55k on it so I'm paying the bill.

I had the oil changed at 50k when it developed a drip. It was never down on level, just 1 new drop every night. I Used the correct synthetic gear oil with friction modifier.

 

[Word_Life]

be smart and check the trans AND rear end fluid before you send it in

 

[the98stang]

If it's rear end related, the noise will occur during certain mph ranges. If it's the transmission, you'll hear the noise at a certain RPM range.

 

[Mike97gt]

this sounds to me like it's rear end related. but as the above post said, go to a speed where the nosie is loud and try accelerating and decel in different gears at the same speeds.. if the noise is in all gears then it's most likely rear end.

ok here is my guess based on how you describe the noise.

at minimun it needs pinion bearings, they will want to replace the carrier bearings too. it may also need a ring and pinion.

 

[gtstangau]

cool, a good excuse to tell dad why I need some 4:10's!

 

[trinity_gt]

My 02 GT was recently making a noise I could have sworn was a rear end except for the fact that it varied in loudness depending on whether the car was turning left or right. When I took it in I told them to check the front wheel bearings first and if they were fine to check the diff.

Turned out one of the front wheel bearings was toast.

If, as you drive down the a straight road veering slightly left and right, you hear the noise is definitely louder one way or the other you might have a front wheel bearing issue.

 

[JimTMich]

be smart and check the trans AND rear end fluid before you send it in

Both are up to level.

 

[JimTMich]

this sounds to me like it's rear end related. but as the above post said, go to a speed where the nosie is loud and try accelerating and decel in different gears at the same speeds.. if the noise is in all gears then it's most likely rear end.

ok here is my guess based on how you describe the noise.

at minimun it needs pinion bearings, they will want to replace the carrier bearings too. it may also need a ring and pinion.

range it makes noies 0 - 143 mph

yes it is in bands and is independant of the gear I am in.

Thanks for the input. I'm driving a beige tarus today while hte car is at the dealer. Why couldn't they flip me hte keys to the Ford GT in the showroom or at least a Mustang GT.

 

[JimTMich]

My 02 GT was recently making a noise I could have sworn was a rear end except for the fact that it varied in loudness depending on whether the car was turning left or right. When I took it in I told them to check the front wheel bearings first and if they were fine to check the diff.

Turned out one of the front wheel bearings was toast.

If, as you drive down the a straight road veering slightly left and right, you hear the noise is definitely louder one way or the other you might have a front wheel bearing issue.

Had a wheel bearing on my last Mustang, that unfortunately is not it. Great idea though.

 

[four six]

So what did ya do? 4.10s I hope

 

[Mike97gt]

range it makes noies 0 - 143 mph

yes it is in bands and is independant of the gear I am in.

Thanks for the input. I'm driving a beige tarus today while hte car is at the dealer. Why couldn't they flip me hte keys to the Ford GT in the showroom or at least a Mustang GT.

well let us know when they tell you whats wrong with it.

 

[JimTMich]

They say it's a carrier bearing, but they haven't had a chance to open it up yet.

Once they open it up, they will get me the pricing on the fix and gears. I asked them to price 4.10's.

 

[Mike97gt]

They say it's a carrier bearing, but they haven't had a chance to open it up yet.

Once they open it up, they will get me the pricing on the fix and gears. I asked them to price 4.10's.

sounds more like a pinion bearing to me, but they will have to do those to install your gears anyways.

 

[JimTMich]

4.10's going in
I think I'll like them.

 

[xseler8]

You're doing the right thing letting your dealer do the work.I had 73's installed by a local performance shop...lasted less than a year. Went to my Ford dealer,paid the price- had the rear rebuilt..no problems. Good luck