So I had 3.42s from Summit put in about 4 months ago. I have had the shop check the install twice and its good. Using 75W-90.

It sings noticeably around 45 mph and is kinda annoying. It occurs on coast and throttle. It starts after a few minutes of driving (I suppose once the oil warms up)

I spoke with Strange Engineering and they said pretty much any aftermarket gear will do that in these rear axles.

They said they always recommend going to 85W-140 (with additive) with aftermarket gears. They tech said switching to a different brand or a new set likely would not help.

I'd love to hear what others have been through.

I will try the fluid change and see what happens. I suppose I could also look at upgrading to a Series 3 and find some original gears.

 

I have just over 500 miles on a new Strange S60 with 3:73 gears and an S Track posi; so far it's baby butt smooth with now whine what so ever.

 

I have read in the past that aftermarket gears tend to be noisier. I'm keeping an eye open for a set of factory 3.42s for this reason.

 

I've set up many of them and didn't have any problems. I'm assuming that you bought the thick gears for the 2 series and you are not using a ring gear spacer. I'm also assuming that you bought Strange gears. If you bought Summit gears then you need to learn to live with the noise.

 

I would just get a better stereo. It doesn't seem to be detrimental. I guess it depends on how loud it is. My 3.70's in my 9 bolt whine at no load (not accelerating or decelerating). Mostly only audible on really smooth pavement with windows down, etc.

More exhaust. More stereo. More loud pedal. More tire squeal. Etc.

Given you stayed with the Auburn.....

If you have the desire then get a 3 series torsen carrier and put in some 3.70's.

Shift kit, servo, and 3k stall converter.

Lots more fun I think. But I like hard acceleration and some wheel spin. Maybe some people don't. Though why you would drive a gas hog V8 RWD sports coupe if you *dont* like that is beyond me.

Someone else said it, but it's true - no one ever bought too much converter or too much gear the fist time out and regretted the decision. Its almost always not quite enough because they hear people caution against going too big. Don't listen! Go big or go home!

GD

 

in my old 7.5 I had 4.11s installed (richmen gears) was like factory...smooth..
I had 2 sets installed until..i would strip the teeth off the pinon..moved upto a 9"
but the 7.5 never made any sound at all....(not until slicks at the strip)...killed 2 sets...
I would look for a better gear guy..just sayn

 

Thanks all. Good info. I'm thinking the Summit Gears are noisy. Ramjet Rear End in Los Angeles is a well regarded shop. They checked the install twice showed me the pinion depth, backlash, and pattern. I read some Summit gears are made in Italy and some in South Korea. The Italian ones being the heat treated properly and the South Korean ones with far more manufacturing issues.

I have done ring and pinions in my old Ford 8.8 years ago with a crush bearing. I remember it wasn't bad but the crush bearing was tough. My setup uses shims. I am thinking I can do it myself and save some $$ until it quiets up. Just not as young as I used to be!

 

If you bought Summit brand gears then don't bother trying to reset them. You are not going to make them quiet. Economy gears are not quality gears. If you want quiet gears then you are going to have to spend more money.

 

I'm all in on that. Recommendations on a brand?

 

I would say Yukon but that's who I got my 9 bolt gears from and apparently they are just rebranded Chinesium.

Richmond and AAM seem to be the ones people say are quiet.

GD

 

US Strange is the best right now, but I don't know if they make 7.5/7.6 gears. Motive or Yukon would be my next choice, unless you want to spend the extra money on the AAM gears. The AAM gears have to be set up different from other gears because they are the newer 2 cut type.

 

From all appearances the Motive gears are the same as my Yukon gears for the 9 bolt. I thought that might be the case before ordering but hey I did get a cool sticker!

Makes me feel a little better that Big Gear Head thinks more highly of Motive and Yukon than Summit brand.

Maybe the offerings for the 10 bolt are better. But if they aren't you might end up with the same noise.

GD