Thread: D3 - High-pitched whine, rear diff

Enjoy !

I'm looking forward to joining you in having a nice quiet rear diff ... mine is starting to sound like a bag of bolts flying around somewhere in the boot area ... !

That doesn't sound good!!

Interested to see the number of recent diff posts, is there something systemic with these diffs?

One 08 model I looked at had a new one installed, and the one I got has sealant all around it which I assume didn't come from factory like that.

Yes, diff failure seems a trait of the vehicle. I've regarded mine as being on borrowed time for years - early models (iirc) like mine had some odd coating in the diff designed to prevent corrosion which apparently comes off and ruins the bearings. They also have a fairly small oil capacity. Mine was actually fine until sept last year and I've been going along with it until it became intolerable (to the wife actually). Mine had an oil change about 6 months prior to the noise starting. At least they're not horrifically expensive (perspective issues on my part perhaps).

Some other more expert person will hopefully come along with a more technical and accurate comment !

Factory ones do have coating breakdown issues. They also self destruct due to moisture contamination. You can extend the life by changing the oils more frequently to try and keep the moisture contamination out. I generally recommend every 48k Km.

There is one outfit with some re-manufactured units in stock we sent over, as well as some rebuilding components. I am looking for a distributor & shops over there who are serious about the market.

Yay for my new diff. Normal noise levels restored - also gratuitous shot of my shiny newish exhaust !ImageUploadedByTapatalk1403860577.165779.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1403860692.147434.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1403860721.264050.jpg

Nice.

Out of interest did they look at or replace and wheel bearings or check the tailshaft when the replaced your diff? The noise I hear now sounds like a rumbling sound and I am leaning towards the transfer case as the culprit. I would have thought that any reasonable mechanic would have checked the wheels and tailshaft after replacing a diff, let alone two. But then again...

All my wheel bearings have been done over the last year. I wasn't sure if my noise was diff or propshaft, had varying opinions for a while about it, then (as I had 'let it develop') it was quite clear the diff was the problem - run on hoist the noise was evident.

What you describe sounds like wheel bearings. Wheel bearings can be very tight to the feel but still make an annoying sound, I have one on my garage floor that was making some sound, to inspection of all kinds it appeared fine, but taken out and spun it is clear that it was a problem.

Also, glad to be able to hear my new exhaust properly finally, so nice ...