Aftermarket Gears - Little Bit Of Noise

[burnthefurniture]

My gear installer says that my aftermarket gears may make a little noise. Mine make a very slight whir that can only be heard if everything else is quiet. There is a small howl at 42 mph that goes away by 44. I checked and the pattern seems to be good and the installer says its good. They are 4.11 yukons by the way in a 2006 1500 10 bolt. Just wanted to get everyone's .02 on the issue.

[pm26]

I had this issue on my '95 Nissan truck, even after they replaced the rear differential under warranty. It will not affect the differential performance, it is just annoyance. The noise is related to gear backlash adjustment. Sometimes the whining noise appears when the differential is unloaded (while coasting with foot off the gas pedal), and sometimes it whines all the time only when under load (foot on the gas) in certain narrow speed ranges. Mine howled between 45-50 MPH.

[Matt_]

as long as you're sure that the backlash is within range and the pinion depth is set properly (per the wear pattern) then i wouldnt worry about it.

[Robby5323]

Yep, if backlash and pinion depth are OK, I wouldn't worry too much. I had a set of Yukons that did the same thing...

[MarkD]

We put a sst in a Camaro that did the same thing. We put in a 4"exhaust and you cant hear it anymore.

 

Seriously though, we also put in heavier gear oil after a 500 mile break in and it quietened considerably.

[pm26]

We put a sst in a Camaro that did the same thing. We put in a 4"exhaust and you cant hear it anymore.

 

Seriously though, we also put in heavier gear oil after a 500 mile break in and it quietened considerably.

 

Yes, using 90W140 gear oil in my Nissan improved things somewhat. However, you do not want to use gear oil that thick in cold climates in the winter.

[Wingnut]

Just add some more friction modifier.

[burnthefurniture]

We put a sst in a Camaro that did the same thing. We put in a 4"exhaust and you cant hear it anymore.

 

Seriously though, we also put in heavier gear oil after a 500 mile break in and it quietened considerably.

 

Yes, using 90W140 gear oil in my Nissan improved things somewhat. However, you do not want to use gear oil that thick in cold climates in the winter.

 

 

When I pulled the cover to drain it after the break in, the gears looked like the pattern was perfect, right where it should be according to the pictures and diagrams I've seen. I am currently running 75w90, and I live in Louisiana, so the winters are 20's on the coldest day. Would I have any issues running a heavier oil than what is recommended living where I do? Would that affect gas mileage etc?