GM-TECH Opinion on my rear end whine

perksilverado · October 13, 2005

GM-Tech,

I see a couple of opinions from other site members on my whine problem. I am really wondering what your opinion is of this issue. I do not want to be a pain to anyone at my local dealership, but it just does not seem right that I should have to live with this rear end noise. What would you recommend as my next step in the process of a cure to this issue. The technician who replaced the ring and pinion has a good reputation and he says the gearset has a perfect pattern when checked with the dye marker. I am wondering if the noise might be eliminated with a second attempt on set up or is it a possibility that I may need a complete new rear end assembly. Have you run across this issue before? Your response and opinion is appreciated. Thank you.

vhato · October 14, 2005

Not to hijack the thread but,

I know GM switched to the 8.625" axle in 99 and used a different gear pitch to make the 10-bolt whisper quiet. This applies to only 1500 series trucks. The 1500HD, 2500, 2500HD and 3500 do not have this benefit and whine at speeds from 50-60 MPH.

Which truck do you have?

GM-Tech · October 13, 2005

It takes a special touch to get these properly set up so they're whisper quiet. It's not something I'm good at, but we have a guy in our shop that does all the driveline work and he's top notch at it (lucky for me!). To my knowledge, we have not had one that he couldn't make quiet the first time around.

The guideline I was told once by our technical assistance is, if you cannot hear it with the a/c blower on medium speed, it's normal. I'd say the vast majority are pretty much inaudible even with the blower off.

Replacing the entire rear end wouldn't help. First of all, we can't purchase an assembled and set up rear end. it would come as all the individual parts and the same guy that set up your ring and pinion would have to install and set up the new one too, so what's the difference.

Can the current gear set be re-setup and fix the noise? Yeah, probably. I know the general consensus is that the gears develop some sort of pattern that once set, they can't be reset, but I don't believe that to be true. Maybe 40,000 miles down the road, but not as recently as you're dealing with. Getting them to do it might be another story.

perksilverado · October 13, 2005

GM-Tech,

Thanks much for your reply and information. I think I'll have a talk with the service manager to see if he will consider another attempt. Sure hope so! Thanks again.

fossil · November 11, 2005

I've owned many GM/Chevy trucks over the years and only one has ever had rear diff noise and that was due to the pinion bearings worn due high mileage. All have been whisper quiet from my 1976 model to my 2005 and only that one mentioned above ever required any repair. If anyone tells me that noisy gears are normal, then I'd start taking my truck elsewhere.

firerage101 · November 18, 2005

I've owned many GM/Chevy trucks over the years and only one has ever had rear diff noise and that was due to the pinion bearings worn due high mileage. All have been whisper quiet from my 1976 model to my 2005 and only that one mentioned above ever required any repair. If anyone tells me that noisy gears are normal, then I'd start taking my truck elsewhere.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

While im not a technition i have just recently experienced 4 re builds on a jeep, so i have researched the whining issue in the past. In my opinion you may have a backlash problem. Even though the pattern is fine the backlash could be slightly off. I went to a speacialist and they had a guage that utilized pressure and spacing with a dial on it. The pattern on my jeep looked great but backlash slightly off just enough to make it whine horribly. If all else fails you need a bigger hammer

perksilverado · October 15, 2005

Not to hijack the thread but,

I know GM switched to the 8.625" axle in 99 and used a different gear pitch to make the 10-bolt whisper quiet. This applies to only 1500 series trucks. The 1500HD, 2500, 2500HD and 3500 do not have this benefit and whine at speeds from 50-60 MPH.

Which truck do you have?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have the standard 1/2 ton truck, not the HD. My whine is loud enough at 40-45 mph that it can be heard over the A/C blower running on high. Definitely not whisper quiet.

Mudddawg · July 30, 2007

GM-Tech,
I see a couple of opinions from other site members on my whine problem. I am really wondering what your opinion is of this issue. I do not want to be a pain to anyone at my local dealership, but it just does not seem right that I should have to live with this rear end noise. What would you recommend as my next step in the process of a cure to this issue. The technician who replaced the ring and pinion has a good reputation and he says the gearset has a perfect pattern when checked with the dye marker. I am wondering if the noise might be eliminated with a second attempt on set up or is it a possibility that I may need a complete new rear end assembly. Have you run across this issue before? Your response and opinion is appreciated. Thank you.