Strange Noise From the . . . Differential?

Elite Ele · 09-26-2007, 11:02 PM

So driving my 89 NA today, I developed a new noise that I'm unable to diagnose. Here follows my observances:
A sound similar to the sound of a bad wheel bearing is coming from the rear of the car on deceleration and coasting
The sound is not evident when accelerating
The sound is not evident when the car is in neutral (including when the clutch is pressed)
The sound changes pitch with the RPM's of the engine
The engine does not produce the sound when revved in neutral
(I made sure to perfrom these tests without using the brakes, for sound of the calipers/pads)

I really don't know where to go from this, my brother was stumped too but gave his best guess at this. The problem cannot be the engine, since it does not produce the sound under load or constant pull. His best guess was the differential. Any help guys? I'm under a time limit here and need to get this diagnosed/fixed asap. Thanks

Mista 2 · 09-27-2007, 09:32 AM

manual of auto mate? my girlfriend had a similar thing happen in her barina. it was the diff carrior bearing and a couple of her gear box bearings (her was auto) just take it to a trans place, most will give it a free test.

Mista 2
Jordan

Elite Ele · 09-27-2007, 09:38 AM

Oh yeah, I forget that some people actually prefer to drive automatics. No, it's has a manual transmission. So it is at least agreed that it sounds like it's coming from the diff?

Mista 2 · 09-28-2007, 09:30 AM

if you are driving along and put your foot on the clutch and if it is still there i would put my money opn the transaxle. i however did have a problem like this but just didn't think of it. it sounds like when my wheel came loose due to a snapped stud. just have a look at the wheels first but yeah other than that i would say transaxle.

Mista 2
Jordan

ljshein · 10-04-2007, 12:57 PM

hmmm, my 87 5spd is pretty noisy in a very similar way. I've only had the car a month and I'm not sure if it's tires, wheel bearing or diff. My plan was to use the trial and error approach and do the easy stuff first. Check the transaxle oil, drain & flush. I know one of the front tires has some cup wear so a 4 wheel alignment is in order and then inspect the wheel bearings.

Please let us know what you find and I'll do the same.

Jeff

YellowJacket · 09-04-2008, 11:59 PM

Man, I was so curious to hear the answer to this one and the thread died...

09-26-2007, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Elite Ele No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 31 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Strange Noise From the . . . Differential? So driving my 89 NA today, I developed a new noise that I'm unable to diagnose. Here follows my observances: A sound similar to the sound of a bad wheel bearing is coming from the rear of the car on deceleration and coasting The sound is not evident when accelerating The sound is not evident when the car is in neutral (including when the clutch is pressed) The sound changes pitch with the RPM's of the engine The engine does not produce the sound when revved in neutral (I made sure to perfrom these tests without using the brakes, for sound of the calipers/pads) I really don't know where to go from this, my brother was stumped too but gave his best guess at this. The problem cannot be the engine, since it does not produce the sound under load or constant pull. His best guess was the differential. Any help guys? I'm under a time limit here and need to get this diagnosed/fixed asap. Thanks

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09-27-2007, 09:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mista 2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 463 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	manual of auto mate? my girlfriend had a similar thing happen in her barina. it was the diff carrior bearing and a couple of her gear box bearings (her was auto) just take it to a trans place, most will give it a free test. Mista 2 Jordan

09-27-2007, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Elite Ele No Skills Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 31 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Oh yeah, I forget that some people actually prefer to drive automatics. No, it's has a manual transmission. So it is at least agreed that it sounds like it's coming from the diff?

09-28-2007, 09:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mista 2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 463 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	if you are driving along and put your foot on the clutch and if it is still there i would put my money opn the transaxle. i however did have a problem like this but just didn't think of it. it sounds like when my wheel came loose due to a snapped stud. just have a look at the wheels first but yeah other than that i would say transaxle. Mista 2 Jordan

10-04-2007, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
ljshein No Skills Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: woodstock, ga Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	hmmm, my 87 5spd is pretty noisy in a very similar way. I've only had the car a month and I'm not sure if it's tires, wheel bearing or diff. My plan was to use the trial and error approach and do the easy stuff first. Check the transaxle oil, drain & flush. I know one of the front tires has some cup wear so a 4 wheel alignment is in order and then inspect the wheel bearings. Please let us know what you find and I'll do the same. Jeff

09-04-2008, 11:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
YellowJacket 1985 16v NA 6-speed Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 415 Thanks: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Man, I was so curious to hear the answer to this one and the thread died...