DanTheMan_smlk

im getting a whining/howling noise from the right rear wheel....it only happens above 40mph or so....recently its started doing it when i let off the gas at 40mph also...what could this be? Bearing? Low fluid? something f-ed up in the rear differential...?

ede

yes, why don't you try trouble shooting to narrow it down a little.

DanTheMan_smlk

how are the rear bearings lubricated on these rear axles?

ede

splash, direct contact with the oil

DanTheMan_smlk

oh no....not good

how hard is it to rebuild a rear end anyway (i have one jack, 2 jackstands, NO experience with rear ends...)

i was told it would be about 1k to get a rear end rebuilt

ede

not hard with right tools and skills

DanTheMan_smlk

so what is the procedure for checking the fluid level?

82knightrider

iTrader: (1)

do you have haynes manual

DanTheMan_smlk

i'll try to find it...i was just on the comp wondering if u guys knew, i havent checked haynes yet...i guess i will

Difflock

On the passenger's side of the diff there is a filler plug, the gear oil should be level with the bottom of the filler hole, assuming the car is level!

Mark.

ede

since you don't know how to check the oil don't even consider pulling the cover or trying to fix anything. it ain't hard to do, but not everyone can do it either.

jimmy_mac

Not sure what rear you have, but if it's an open diff with say 2.73 gears or something like that, I would seriously consider finding a low mileage 4th gen rear with posi and better gears and just swapping the whole damn thing. I've seen those sell for under $500 easily. The only issue on that is they are a little wider, but the third gen wheels sit pretty far in stock anyhow, so the few I've seen don't look out of the ordinary. There's a tech article on doing that on the main site.

DanTheMan_smlk

i dont want a 4th gen rear end, it sticks out, plus i cant do brake lines. The previous ower put better gears in it (3.72 most likley) and its a posi. I can rebuild it, i am going to school and my instructors can help me...

im just not familiar with rear axles cause i used to have a FWD car

DanTheMan_smlk

checked the fluid level, it was full and the fluid was good.

what next? The whine seems to be getting worse

i was hoping it was just low on fluid so i dont have to rebuild the sob

xlwhellraiser

iTrader: (1)

I had a smiliar problem with my 2.73 rear end. I took it to a shop and they checked everything. They told me I just had whiney gears. I cant remember the explanation they gave me, but it made sense.
Now, I got in a 3.23 rear in from a camaro and there is no whine, maybe a littlebit.

I suggest, since you dont have the skill yet, to get it to a shop or a mechanic you trust and see what they say.
And here is a tip of how to listen to the mechanic.

1. He will either tell you whats really wrong with the car either at the end or in the beggining.
2. Usually they say it in the beggining, and with a brief pause they will add on things. Using "and" a lot, or sometimes listing stuff fast.
3. Hear what they are talking about, or even write it down. Than see what sounds good to you.
4. The tricky ones will tell you the truth in the middle, but its usually too much thinking, so revert to beggining or end.
The best way is to check everything they checked and see if they are fuking with ya!

Good luck.

P.S. Rear ends are easy, but from my experience power tools are the way to go!

DanTheMan_smlk

the previous owner put in 3.__ gears.... i know they put in higher gears than the stock 2.73. I'll take it to the shop were i did an internship at during high school. I know the technician pretty well

so its possible to just have whiny gears and nothing to do about it? I could care less if it whines, i just dont want someting to be wrong with it

thanks for the help so far, i'll keep updating

xlwhellraiser

iTrader: (1)

Its very possible.
My 2.73's were whiney, and there was nothing wrong with that!