Rearend Whine

Rearend Whine

Postby truebrite [OP] » October 1st 2011, 9:00am

New to the forum although, this would be my 4th Astro/Safari over the years. I'm looking at buying a 2000 astro passenger with 151K on it. There is reasonable whine from the rearend. The sound is more pronounced as you take a corner, I noticed it at 35 mph or so. And, it only whines under load, completely quiet when you let off the gas. I crawled under it and saw no seepage/leaks at all on the differential. Am I correct in assuming that this is a wheel bearing as opposed to the differential itself? If I need a remanufactured rearend, what are the solid internet sources? Or, does is anyone familiar with a reputable shop in the Kansas City metro that could do the work? Would a good transmission shop be qualified? I want this thing to be safe and reliable for roadtrips and I need to figgure out how and what to negotiate if I decide to buy. Thanks in advance for your help :D
Original Poster [OP]
truebrite
Fueling (Empty tank)
Fueling (Empty tank)
Years of Membership: truebrite has been a member for 1 full year
Posts: 1
Topics: 1
Joined: October 2011
Van Make/Model: Chevrolet Astro

  • Similar topics
    Replies
    Views
    Author

Re: Rearend Whine

Postby Jasen » October 1st 2011, 6:09pm

In my experience wheel bearing generally squeak or chirp. A whine to me say's somethings wearing out in the rear end. You could pop the cover and take a look or take it in and have a rear end service by a real shop, not snottylube, done and ask them to inspect everything, probably cost you around $40. I picked up ring and pinion set for the Wrangle a few years ago at http://www.ringpinion.com for a good price.
http://the-99percent.blogspot.com/
I'm a Journeyman woodworker,
Every projects a journey man.




Image
Jasen
Site Contributor
Site Contributor
Firing on 5 Cylinders (L7)
Firing on 5 Cylinders (L7)
Years of Membership: Jasen has been a member for 3 full yearsJasen has been a member for 3 full yearsJasen has been a member for 3 full years
Posts: 6517
Topics: 250
Images: 68
Joined: July 2009
Location: Seattle, Wa
Gender: Male
Year: 1997
Van Make/Model: Chevrolet Astro
Extra Info: AWD cargo Dutch door

Re: Rearend Whine

Postby RECox286 » October 1st 2011, 7:53pm

Do a rear brake check. While you are in there, look for evidence of a bad bearing, and/or seal. That would be up and down movement of the axle, and/or a black liquidy gooey mess

in the brake area (seal leak) Check the outside of the pumpkin for signs of leakage (black dirty mess) and also check for proper lubrication level. A steady whine when loaded, sounds like an alxe bearing to me.

The fix is easy, if you don''t mind getting dirty, and requires a few simple tools, plus a bearing puller (a slide hammer usually will work with the proper attachment, which can all be had at Harbor Freight,

rented at a tool rental, or, believe it or not, some LAPS will lend out such equipment.

I opt to own the tools I know I need, because I sometimes don't have the luxury of down time. My trucks have to be on the road. I doubt if your schedule is life or death, front burner, gotta have it

yesterday. You will also want to do both sides while you have it apart. If you don't have any technical literature, I'd be thinking about getting a small manual like Chiltons, or Haynes, or look on the

Ebay site for a Factory Service Manual. Good deals on Ebay. When you get the axles out you can do an eyeball to see if you can reuse them with a new set of bearings and seals, or if you need to get

bearings which are offset, or if you will need new axles. Depends mostly if the gear oil was kept up to level.

Good Hunting...

Bob
Start a fire for a man and he will be warm for a day.

Set a man on fire and he will be warm the rest of his life.
RECox286
U.S. Armed Forces
U.S. Armed Forces
Green Status (L4)
Green Status (L4)
Years of Membership: RECox286 has been a member for 2 full yearsRECox286 has been a member for 2 full years
Posts: 3092
Topics: 28
Joined: July 2010
Location: South Jersey
Gender: Male
Alias (AKA): Uncle Bob
Year: 1993
Van Make/Model: Chevrolet Astro
Extra Info: RWD V6 [323K mi]

Re: Rearend Whine

Postby throrope » October 2nd 2011, 12:00am

I recently (2 yrs ago?) had a rear end whine due to the three bearings in the differential. The local parts shop had a bearing kit for $150, but since I didn't have good experience with transmissions and similar gears, I had our Chevy dealer clean it up at an almost irresponsible cost. I have a seal going for the second time on the front differential (AWD). I called the local old time machine shop that told me they could clean it up for about $300 if I brought it in. That's now on the to do list along with the front half axles waiting in the garage.

Good luck and keep us posted.
User avatar
throrope
Firing on 2 Cylinders (L1)
Firing on 2 Cylinders (L1)
Years of Membership: throrope has been a member for 2 full yearsthrorope has been a member for 2 full years
Posts: 230
Topics: 3
Joined: February 2011
Gender: Male
Van Make/Model: Chevrolet Astro
Extra Info: LT 4.3L AWD


 
  • Related topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to Rear-End

It is currently June 18th 2013, 11:03pm

Rear-End Forum
Rear-EndA differential is a device employing gears capable of transmitting torque and rotation through shafts. Essentially the differential allows each of the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds in the rear axle.
Moderator: 1297chevastro
To create a new topic in Rear-End, click this button:
Previous topic Next topic
Recent Image Attachments
Attached by:
Attached by: chevymaher
chevymaherchevymaher is online!
in Rear-End
Views: 203
Comments: 7
Date: May 06 '13
Time: 1:09am
» Read last comment
Attached by:
crash77
in Rear-End
Views: 219
Comments: 10
Date: Apr 30 '13
Time: 2:26pm
» Read last comment
Attached by:
TaxiVan
in Rear-End
Views: 289
Comments: 10
Date: Apr 16 '13
Time: 5:38am
» Read last comment
Attached by:
Attached by: choochooastro
choochooastro
in Rear-End
Views: 325
Comments: 6
Date: Apr 03 '13
Time: 2:56pm
» Read last comment
Attached by:
mervchapman
in Rear-End
Views: 821
Comments: 27
Date: Mar 17 '13
Time: 5:02pm
» Read last comment
Sponsors
 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests