Thread: D3 vibration/shudder/noise

Looks like you'll be up for a propshaft as I don't think it is readily serviceable. Wheel bearings will be unrelated but id be making certain that the wheel bearing noise isn't actually from another source (propshaft bearing?). Let us know how you go !

Out of interest is the vibration your chasing new (post diff works) or preexisting ?

I reckon it is preexisting. The diff noise I had probably blanketed it for all I know. The mechanic said he would not have found it had I not taken him for a drive. Wind noise and tyre noise also cover it up a bit.

How did you go Morpheus ?

Solved my rumble. See Front Runner Cheetah thread.

After a day of looking at the vehicle, I was advised the following:

- cause of the vibration is probably the front left wheel (needs balancing). All bearings are fine.

- transfer case is noisy, but not the source of the noise I hear.

The prognosis is that the noise is from the diffs. Both front and rear diffs are 'worn'. I am considering my options at the moment. The diffs are secondhand replacements, and the car has done a lot of kms. Having said that, I would expect that the replacements I had put in my car should last longer than a couple of months.

Or I just have to stop being so paranoid and just enjoy the car for what it is which is awesome.

As any vehicle ages, there is a balance to be struck between paranoia and degradation of components due to age ... sometimes you'll get it wrong, sometimes you'll be right ... best to just enjoy, get used to 'normal' and take it from there. The xfer cases are somewhat noisy by design, it would be pretty difficult to quantify noisy vs normal age related noise.

It's a bit odd - to say the least - that the new (used) diffs are noisy, but slightly noisy diffs are not the end of the world.

What was their take on the expulsion of grease from the propshaft ... that's not normal.

Anyway, happy to hear it's not an issue that has you sleeping with the chooks ... as yet ... hahaha !