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Condition Possible Causes Correction Axle Noise 1. Insufficient lubricant. 1. Fill differential with the correct 2. Improper ring gear and pinion 2. Check ring gear and pinion 3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion. 3. Replace gears with a matched 4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or 4. Replace ring gear and pinion. 5. Loose pinion bearings. 5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load. 6. Loose differential bearings. 6. Adjust differential bearing 7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear. 7. Measure ring gear run-out. 8. Loose differential bearing cap 8. Inspect differential components 9. Housing not machined properly. 9. Replace housing. GEAR NOISE Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubri- cant, incorrect backlash, tooth contact, worn/damaged Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed range. The noise can also occur during a specific type When road testing, first warm-up the axle fluid by driving the vehicle at least 5 miles and then acceler- • Check for insufficient lubricant. • Incorrect ring gear backlash. • Gear damage. by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause BEARING NOISE The axle shaft, differential and pinion bearings can all produce noise when worn or damaged. Bearing Pinion bearings have a constant–pitch noise. This noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion bearing faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differen- Worn or damaged differential bearings usually pro- duce a low pitch noise. Differential bearing noise is Axle shaft bearings produce noise and vibration when worn or damaged. The noise generally changes LOW SPEED KNOCK Low speed knock is generally caused by a worn U–joint or by worn side–gear thrust washers. A worn VIBRATION Vibration at the rear of the vehicle is usually caused by a: • Damaged drive shaft. • Missing drive shaft balance weight(s). • Worn or out–of–balance wheels. • Loose wheel lug nuts. • Worn U–joint(s). • Loose/broken springs. 3 - 58 198 RBI AXLE WJ DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued) |