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Old 07-10-2019, 10:27 AM
Laidout98 Laidout98 is offline
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Default Rear axle drone?

I have a 1994 4.0 2WD (manuel trans) that recently between 55-65 mph I start hearing a drone sound as if there is a semi truck getting close to me. It gets a little bit louder up to 75-80 mph. It doesn't get better or worse as I decelerate or accelerate. I am in the process of changing the fluid in the diff between yesterday and today (it was time to change the fluid anyway). The internal diff looks fine. No excessive wear that I can see, no shavings or broken teeth. The truck has 275K on it. Has anyone ever had this issue that they can shed some light on where to look or a check list?

Also, does anyone know of a better way to refill the diff? I have a 5/16" clear tube and it is frustrating to say the least.

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice!
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Old 07-10-2019, 10:32 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

do you have a pump like this one? I've got a similar one, and it sure made it easy to refill the rear diff. I also used it for transmission fluid, really helped out.

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Old 07-10-2019, 10:53 AM
Laidout98 Laidout98 is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

I do not, but certainly will look for one now!

Thanks man!
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Old 07-10-2019, 10:56 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

no prob! you can find it for like $5 online, or probably like $10-15 at auto zone.

by the way, was that the original fluid in that differential? and did you by chance check to see if it was low before pulling the cover?

edit: ok last question lol! what fluid are you putting back in it?

Last edited by RoberticusMaximus; 07-10-2019 at 11:00 AM.
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Old 07-10-2019, 03:05 PM
Mike4x4 Mike4x4 is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

Also on those axles a lot of times the fill plug is rusted in place. On the top side of the pumpkin there should be a sensor, you can remove that sensor and fill through that hole.

But if you live in the south then that's not an issue.

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Old 07-11-2019, 10:05 AM
crowdpleazer crowdpleazer is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

Are you sure it's not the tires? Just asking a dumb question...
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Old 07-11-2019, 11:31 AM
Laidout98 Laidout98 is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RoberticusMaximus View Post
no prob! you can find it for like $5 online, or probably like $10-15 at auto zone.

by the way, was that the original fluid in that differential? and did you by chance check to see if it was low before pulling the cover?

edit: ok last question lol! what fluid are you putting back in it?

I did not check the fluid prior to changing it. I went back with 80w-90

I did find one of the pump deals you recommended and I had the diff filled with in a couple minutes! SOOOO much easier!

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by crowdpleazer View Post
Are you sure it's not the tires? Just asking a dumb question...

I did actually think about that but I really doubt it is. I worked at a tire store for 16 years and feel that I have a decent bit of knowledge pertaining to that field. However, it is time to have my tires rotated so we will see if there is any change. The tires are just factory size replacements with a basic "street" or "road" tread design. Typically you are more likely to get road noise from directional or more aggressive type tires, ie - all terrain or mud terrain.
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Old 07-11-2019, 12:01 PM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: Rear axle drone?

good deal, glad the pump helped!
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