The truth is that sometimes replacing your rear differential will end up costing more than your car is actually worth. But that doesn’t mean you’re at a total loss. You can still junk a car with broken or faulty parts—and walk away with cash for it.
What does a noisy diff sound like? Regular “clunking” or loud “clicking” every few feet may indicate a broken ring or pinion gear tooth. “Clunking or clicking” when starting to move or getting on and off the gas might be loose yokes, bad u-joints or worn transfer case or transmission parts.
Similarly, Can rear differential cause transmission problems? When the differential doesn’t perform well, it creates metal-on-metal friction that wears down surfaces. The resulting heat weakens gears and can cause component failure and transmission problems.
What does a rear differential problem sound like?
Regular clunking every few feet can also be an indicator of a broken pinion gear and/or chipped and damaged ring gear. Overly worn out bearings tend to make a howling noise when they do not properly support the gears. Rumbling while turning, on the other hand, is a sign of bad wheel bearings.
How long does it take to replace a rear differential?
A complete rear differential replacement includes replacing the housing, gears, bearings, and seals. The average time it takes a certified mechanic to perform a differential rebuild at a shop is usually three to five hours. A rebuild on a commercial vehicle by someone without prior experience could take much longer.
How do you fix whine diff?
How to Quiet Differential Whine
- Prep the area.
- Replace Differential Fluid.
- Replace the seal.
- Test the Vehicle.
- Inspect rear differential gasket, pinion seal, and side seal.
- Clean the housing.
- Replace broken parts.
- Lubricate and re-install axle into differential.
How do you check rear differential?
How do you diagnose differential problems? This is why it is important to pay attention to signs of differential trouble, including the following.
- Tire Damages. If you notice strange damages on the sidewall and outer tread of your vehicle’s tires, it may be caused by failing differential components. …
- Hard to Handle. …
- Vibrations. …
- Gears Grinding. …
- Whining Sounds.
How do I know if my differential fluid is low?
What are the Symptoms of Bad Differential/Gear Oil?
- Burning Smell from the Differential. When you notice a bad smell coming from your gearbox, you should take it as a sign of bad differential oil which can be contaminated hence not operating as it should be. …
- Weird Noises. …
- Vibrations.
Is the differential part of the transmission? The differential is a set of gears that transmits engine power to the wheels, while allowing them to turn at different speeds on turns. With front-wheel-drive (FWD), the differential is alongside the transmission inside a housing, and the unit is called a transaxle.
How do I quiet my differential?
How to Quiet Differential Whine
- Prep the area.
- Replace Differential Fluid.
- Replace the seal.
- Test the Vehicle.
- Inspect rear differential gasket, pinion seal, and side seal.
- Clean the housing.
- Replace broken parts.
- Lubricate and re-install axle into differential.
Where is the differential located? A car differential is placed halfway between the driving wheels, on either the front, rear, or both axes (depending on whether it’s a front-, rear-, or 4-wheel-drive car).
What causes rear differential failure?
The leading cause of a differential failing is due to using the wrong lubricant type and specialty lubricants. Water can also be a culprit to a differential failing as it can enter through the vent or seals. This often happens when driving in high water.
What oil do I put in my diff?
Use the highest-quality gear oil you can afford to fill the differential. The weight and capacity will be listed in your owner’s manual; your differential will usually hold as much as 3 quarts. Be sure to read that manual, though, because some limited-slip differentials require a secondary friction-modifying additive.
What causes a rear differential to whine? A whine during deceleration may mean there is a bad or loose pinion bearing. A howl during acceleration may indicate the same problem. Rumble or whining sounds only at speeds greater than 20 mph could be a sign of a worn carrier bearing. The sound may change while cornering.
How much does it cost to replace a rear differential pinion seal?
The average cost for pinion seal replacement is between $230 and $277. Labor costs are estimated between $172 and $217 while parts are priced between $58 and $60. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
How much does it cost to replace a differential gasket?
Most specialists would put the repair cost somewhere between $200 – $400 for fixing an oil seal, leaking differential gasket, or lashing, and between $1000 – $2,000 if differential housing work is needed (such or replacing the ring and pinion gears).
How do you know if your rear differential fluid is low? If the gear oil runs low or becomes excessively dirty, it can cause the gears to whine or howl as they turn. The whining or howling is caused by lack of lubrication and may increase in volume as vehicle speed increases.
What does a differential look like?
How much does it cost to change differential fluid? Differential Fluid Change Cost
The fluid itself can cost between $30 and $80, and labor will run between $40 and $70. All together, you’re looking at somewhere in the range of $70 to $150 to change your differential fluid depending on your vehicle, where you take it, and how much differential fluid it needs.
What happens when differential has no oil?
Most differentials need a fluid change at about 50,000 miles. If left too long or if the fluid starts to run low, the differential will become noisy and can eventually fail. If that happens, the gears can seize, locking up the rear wheels and potentially causing a lot of damage or even an accident.
Is differential fluid same as transmission fluid? Differential oil contained in its own housing is sometimes referred to as gear oil. It is thicker than engine and transmission oil and designed to perform under the high pressure of gears mashing together. The gear oil splashes throughout the housing, lubricating gears, bearings, and clutch packs.