Rear end grind/chatter/squeak?

[mikeandamy]

Hey everyone. I have an 02 limited with 116300 on it. since i bought it it has had a grind/squeak and occasionally a chatter from what seems to be the rear end. it happens at slow speeds in forward and reverse at low speeds and is mostly when i turn the wheel. i have brought it to 2 mechanics and neither were able to duplicate the problem. any thoughts? i had the rear brakes done but didn't have the drums turned. not sure if that might be it. your thoughts would be greatly appreciated on this.

 

[rockymountain]

Could be the parking brake. Maybe its rusted up or something broke and is rolling around inside the drum.

Ever change the differential oil? find out if you have trac-lok or open rear end. Need to know this stuff if you want to properly diagnose anything.

There should be a tag on the right side of the rear axle that will tell if you have an open or trac-lok rear end.

 

[Dave]

Could be the parking brake. Maybe its rusted up or something broke and is rolling around inside the drum.

Ever change the differential oil? find out if you have trac-lok or open rear end. Need to know this stuff if you want to properly diagnose anything.

There should be a tag on the right side of the rear axle that will tell if you have an open or trac-lok rear end.

Yes, if you have the "trac-Lok" in the rear diff, then when changing the fluid you need to put in "friction modifier" or you will get funny noises and the "Trac-Lok" won't work right.

Need more info to figure it out as rockymountain said.

Dave

 

[mikeandamy]

I would hope it to be the parking brake but since I had the rear brakes done about a month ago i would hope the mechanic would have seen something wrong. Unless he didn't really do anything with them........

I haven't had the rear diff done. I was gong to have at it soon. my build sheet says

DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHPP Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
DMEP 3.73 Axle Ratio
DRAP Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
DSAP Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle

does that anti-spin differential mean i have trac lock?

 

[rockymountain]

Yeah I think that is trac-loc limited slip.

Since you say it does it mostly when you turn it is probably the trac-loc. It is probably done for and needs rebuilt. The bad thing about a limited slip diff with clutches is that they do eventually wear out.

You may want to try to just change the oil in the diff and see if it helps. You can get oil that already has the friction modifier in it. Most that you buy at the store does anyway. You can look in here or in your manual for what to get. It is also fine to just get regular 80/90 gear oil even though the manual specifies synthetic. That's a whole 'nother debate tho.

 

[mikeandamy]

Thanks. I'm gonna change the oil this weekend and see what happens. Thanks for the info. I'm gonna be my own mechanic or else I'll go broke......

 

[mikeandamy]

SO i changed the diff fluid today. Gears looked great and no play in them at all. cleaned it all out with brake cleaner and put in fresh Lucas 80w-90. threw some sea-foam in the gas, oil and vacuum line. changed the spark-plugs. took her for a cruise and have not heard the noises since.

I did notice that the pinion seal at the front of the rear diff is leaking as there is a little bit of fluid around it. not sure if i can do this job from the ground so I will probably have the mechanic take a whack at it for me.