Amazon: - Rear axle/diff whine noise

tom the teapot · Sep 21st, 2017, 16:41

Hi all,

As above, on my Amazon estate I have a noise from the rear axle which has been ongoing for a while now but recently got a fair bit louder while on a long trip with a heavy load on board.

Its fine around town but when I get to 45-50 mph there is a noise like a wheelbearing going, but the noise instantly goes when I de accelerate or just coast along so am I right in thinking I have an issue with the diff?

Many thanks, Tom

warninglight · Sep 21st, 2017, 22:19

That sounds like symptoms of a worn crownwheel and pinion to me, mainly from experience with Land Rovers mind, I don't know how susceptible they are to wearing out the gears in Amazons. On Landys the solution can often be to swap diffs front/rear which makes them quiet under load but whine on the overrun.

Looking forward to seeing your estate this weekend. We can compare axle noises with my saloon!

Stephen

tom the teapot · Sep 22nd, 2017, 07:46

Hi Stephen!

Yes it does sound that way

I have also heard rear diff's for estates arent about much anymore. Can you fit a saloon one into an estate? I guess they are lower geared for the estate but I am not too fussed as I do a fair bit of motorway milage in mine rather than towing.

Haha yes, hadnt realised we were all going in poorly Amazons. I am tempted to take my Mini instead as I am not too sure a noise like this can go on for without hideous problems occuring. Time will tell!

Thanks again, Tom.

Derek UK · Sep 22nd, 2017, 12:21

Have you by chance just fitted a new front oil seal to the diff? The nut must be torqued up to 200-220 ft/lbs to give the correct crown wheel/pinion with a suitable torque wrench. Not easy unless the car is on a lift. Worth checking even if you haven't changed the seal. A good yank on bit of pipe won't do. Check your oil, change if suspicious/nasty/black. Heck, change it anyway.

tom the teapot · Sep 28th, 2017, 10:24

Hi Derek, unfortunately not. I checked out the oil in the diff and it was as full and clean as I last checked about 9 months ago.

I have since had a little progress on this, as I pulled away from a roundabout I heard a sort of clunk and a squeak noise and from roughly 3mph to about 10mph (didn't try and go any faster) the rear of the car shakes about like there is a party going on in the boot.

Had the car recovered home and only had a precautionary look underneath, both wheels and hubs all tight and have no play in them, one wheel drags a bit when rotated, but that could be a separate braking issue. I have ordered up a set of new U'J's as a start and will fit them tonight/tomorrow when they arrive.

Watch this space!

Sep 21st, 2017, 16:41	#1
tom the teapot Member Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 21:25 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kent	Rear axle/diff whine noise Hi all, As above, on my Amazon estate I have a noise from the rear axle which has been ongoing for a while now but recently got a fair bit louder while on a long trip with a heavy load on board. Its fine around town but when I get to 45-50 mph there is a noise like a wheelbearing going, but the noise instantly goes when I de accelerate or just coast along so am I right in thinking I have an issue with the diff? Many thanks, Tom

Sep 21st, 2017, 22:19	#2
warninglight VOC Member Last Online: Feb 9th, 2024 15:31 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: South Lakes	That sounds like symptoms of a worn crownwheel and pinion to me, mainly from experience with Land Rovers mind, I don't know how susceptible they are to wearing out the gears in Amazons. On Landys the solution can often be to swap diffs front/rear which makes them quiet under load but whine on the overrun. Looking forward to seeing your estate this weekend. We can compare axle noises with my saloon! Stephen __________________ 2008 XC70 SE Lux D5 - 1966 Amazon - 1979 C202 Laplander Past: 1997 S70 TDi, 1997 C70 T5 GT, 2003 V70 Bi-Fuel, 2000 Ph2 V70 2.5D, 1997 V70R Auto FWD, 1998 V70R Manual AWD, 2004 XC90 D5 G/T, 2005 S60 D5

Sep 22nd, 2017, 07:46	#3
tom the teapot Member Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 21:25 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kent	Hi Stephen! Yes it does sound that way I have also heard rear diff's for estates arent about much anymore. Can you fit a saloon one into an estate? I guess they are lower geared for the estate but I am not too fussed as I do a fair bit of motorway milage in mine rather than towing. Haha yes, hadnt realised we were all going in poorly Amazons. I am tempted to take my Mini instead as I am not too sure a noise like this can go on for without hideous problems occuring. Time will tell! Thanks again, Tom.

Sep 22nd, 2017, 12:21	#4
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:06 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	Have you by chance just fitted a new front oil seal to the diff? The nut must be torqued up to 200-220 ft/lbs to give the correct crown wheel/pinion with a suitable torque wrench. Not easy unless the car is on a lift. Worth checking even if you haven't changed the seal. A good yank on bit of pipe won't do. Check your oil, change if suspicious/nasty/black. Heck, change it anyway.

Sep 28th, 2017, 10:24	#5
tom the teapot Member Last Online: Jan 14th, 2024 21:25 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kent	Hi Derek, unfortunately not. I checked out the oil in the diff and it was as full and clean as I last checked about 9 months ago. I have since had a little progress on this, as I pulled away from a roundabout I heard a sort of clunk and a squeak noise and from roughly 3mph to about 10mph (didn't try and go any faster) the rear of the car shakes about like there is a party going on in the boot. Had the car recovered home and only had a precautionary look underneath, both wheels and hubs all tight and have no play in them, one wheel drags a bit when rotated, but that could be a separate braking issue. I have ordered up a set of new U'J's as a start and will fit them tonight/tomorrow when they arrive. Watch this space!

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