95_302_StangMan

Hey. My car is makeing a loud low howling noise. It sounds like its coming from the back end. I think it might be my rear differential. I think its that because when I bought the car last May and while driving it home the tire blew out. So we put on the spare donut tire and drove 200 miles home. My dad was driving and he was going around 70 for a while. It did not make this noise after and it did not seem to make it until a couple mounths ago. It just seems to keep getting louder and louder. There is no vibration and it is speed not rpm or gear related. I have checked the transmission fluid the rear end fluid and the the u joint all seem to be in good condition. There seems to be very little play with the driveshaft. I jacked up the rear end and the wheels do not whiggle. When I drive it while on the jacks it makes no sound(went up to 40mph). There was plenty fluid in the rear end, and it seemed that the transmision had more than enough. It is not the tires because while driving on snow and ice or gravel the sound does not change. Please let me know what you think the problem could be. My dad says we should "wait until whatever it is breaks then we will know what is wrong." But I dont think that is the best idea, also it is super annoying and I can hardley hear my radio. I have described it as best as possible. Thanks

schwindty

Sounds like a bearing went, if its not the bearings the the allignment of the Crown/pinion isnt correct. Bearings are cheap and easy to fix I would go that route first! If you want a rebuild just get a kit from Auto Zone or Ratech Rear Rebuild kit then you know its good for a while.

Chad95GT

I would recommend pulling your diff cover and inspecting the gear oil, ring gear backlash, and the teeth on the ring gear for sharp edges or mirror finish.

Quik

heres a tip for future use. dont use different size tires on ANY DRIVE WHEELS. rather it be FWD or RWD. when you do this you put alot of strain on the diff. when a tire goes flat on front of a FWD you must swap rear tire to front and space saver on rear. when tire goes flat on a RWD you must put front tire on the rear and space saver on front

see you want almost the same size tire on the drive wheels this helps keep everything from over working to compensate the smaller tire

howling is usually a bearing. becareful it can lock up and then snap the axle and then you are in for a ride that you can control. but this is the worst outcme

paulstang

yea driving with the spare was a big mistake

95_302_StangMan

well why dident you say that when we put it on, thanks alot paul.

green 94 gt

wheel bearing? or differential bearing i think

kartracer55

Could be a carrier bearing

had the same problem with our truck, at about 60k. Lemme guess.... only makes this noise at lower speeds?

If it is, then yes, its a fairly expensive fix.

Jim

95_302_StangMan

If it was the wheel bearing wouldnt the wheel wiggle when it is jacked up? I think I am going to take of the driveshaft and pull it down the road then I will be able to see if it is the transmission or the rear end or the driveshaft. Also are the wheel bearing lubricated by the rear end oil?

95_302_StangMan

And it makes noise at all speeds. Just gets louder and higher freqency as I go faster.