
The rear differential in your car or truck is built to be tough and reliable, but always keep in mind what a complex assembly it is. Rumble or whining sounds only at speeds greater than 20 mph could be a sign of a worn carrier bearing. A howl during acceleration may indicate the same problem. A whine during deceleration may mean there is a bad or loose pinion bearing. Howl or whine while driving straight: That sort of sound may be an indication of a number of problems.Clunking sound every few feet: Such a sound at fairly regular intervals could be a sign of a broke ring gear or pinion gear.Depending on how extreme the sound, it could mean there has been a leak of lubricant, a worn spider gear, or even a broken gear. Clunking, rumble, or howl when cornering: This may indicate a problem with the spider, or side gear.This makes it all the more important to properly maintain this important part of your vehicle’s drivetrain.Īs you “tune your ears” to listen for potential problems, here are some sounds to listen for: That’s where the term “differential” comes from. That difference in speed varies depending on how sharp the turn is. When turning a corner, the inside wheel has to spin at a lower rate than the outside wheel. To make that process even more complicated, the power that is delivered to the rear wheels can’t always be delivered with the same speed of rotation to both rear wheels. Through the differential, all of that power and torque is delivered to your vehicle’s drive wheels. What does a rear differential do? The power of the engine, through the transmission and drive shaft, is transferred to the rear differential. That means the tolerances for how gears and bearings are balanced and mesh are exact. They operate in demanding conditions at high speeds of rotation. The differential of a rear wheel drive vehicle is a fairly complicated assembly. Why is it so important to become familiar with these sounds?
#2004 denali bad front fmdiff driver#
Every driver has two indispensable tools at their disposal to detect early problems – their own two ears.īy listening to how your vehicle normally operates and developing an awareness of the sounds it makes on a daily basis, you can “tune your ears” to pick up anything that sounds abnormal.

Many of the most common problems can be detected early, and with proper service and repair, vehicle owners may avoid some hefty repair costs. There are, however, times when problems may develop.
#2004 denali bad front fmdiff drivers#
Zumbrota Bearing and Gear sells new, used, and remanufactured rear differentials for a variety of makes and models.įortunately for drivers of rear wheel drive vehicles, the rear differential is extremely reliable and gives vehicle owners years of trouble free service.
