Thread: Help diagnosing D3 front noise please

Could be the diff. I have a very similar noise from both diffs. They are on the way out. I'm trying to extend their life by replacing the diff oil regularly. But there will come a day.

I get a sort of rumbling / resonating type noise in mine, have done for about 3 years, come in about 60 to 65 km/h. Goes if I fether the throttle a bit.

Have had delaer check it and MR auto and no one seems to know or care what it is

Yours does sound drive train related. Perhaps be a passenger with window down and try to localise the noise a bit more.

Sorry I'm not more help. You can also try the UK forums for a bit of advice.

cheers
P

I just replaced both front wheel bearings in my D3. With mine I had excessive free play in the bearings. Driving in a straight line nothing seemed out of place, as soon as a little bit of steering input was used the rumble from the bearings could be heard

Rotate your tyres and see if the noise changes. The diff should be able to be easily checked on a hoist if the noise is audible in the vehicle. Wheel bearings are a possibility I've had one fail that appeared to all inspection to be fine and the other side when changed (not making noise) was very very stiff and had lost all lubricant. You're in the mileage zone for front bearings imo.

Just changed Left Hand Front Bearing. ( Ok the nice guys at Ritters did it for me)
The bearing is easy to see if it is the issue, Jack the whole front of the car so both front wheels are off the ground and try and wobble the wheel. If it has lateral movement then its your bearing.

Brakes and other things move in there are well of course.

My bearing did not make noise all the time but it was clearly on its way out. I was told I did not need to change both just the bung one.

Might jack mine up and check bearings just in case it is a bearing noise but it sounds like a drivetrain rumble / resonance in mine.

Comes in 60 to 65 km/h and in a straight line.

Friend has a VW Tourag that is new and has a similar noise.

Drain your front diff oil to see if metal is in it.
Good chance it is diff.

To those who gave advise I really appreciate it and apologise for not responding. A few other life issues got in the way and then I had to go interstate. The D3 has not done much work since i last posted but the noise has got a little worse and I now notice that if I weave a little the noise increases as the bearings load up.

I did change the oil in both diffs but it was clean and no sign of damage.

I plan now to change the front wheel bearings. From my searches on this forum it seems straight forward enough but a couple of questions please:-
1. Is correct that you have to replace the whole hub not just the bearings?
2. Are the aftermarket ones OK (eg British Off Road on ebay) or should I go genuine?

Any other advice on doing this job would be appreciated.

Paul