How To Quiet Differential Whine (6 Troubleshooting With Solution)

Changing diff fluid, replacing pinion gear seals or gaskets, cleaning rust and backlash from metal components, or lubricating dry differential parts are some of the fundamental aspects to reduce or quite a diff whine. 

Does your head start turning after reading that many things to do for the task? 

Yes, you may stumble to solve the issue unless you know what causes the whine. 

But relax and take a deep breath. 

This post will let you know the nitty-gritty of what noise challenges users face with their car differential, what are the reasons behind the noise, and the potential solutions for how to quiet differential whine. 

So, let’s get deeper and solve brick by brick. 

Differential Noise Troubleshootings

Most users find humming, whining, grinding, whirring, clicking, knocking, rumbling, clunking, or banging noise from their car’s differentials. Some of their troubles are

Issue 1: Change Usual Differential Sound 

No matter which vehicle you have, it produces a little sound during cornering, towing, or shifting right or left. That is usual. In general, diff fluid has to be changed within 30k to 60k miles. The usual diff sound can be changed if you don’t change the fluid. Users found that 

• The car’s front or rear differential creates weird howling, humming, or whining noise. 

Probable Reasons

• Low, poor, or dirty diff fluid can be the reason for the sudden change of diff usual sound. 

Potential Solutions

Draining the old fluid and pouring the new is the only solution to solve it. Here is the process you change the fluid. 

• First, check the user’s manual to define the right viscose diff fluid for your car. 
• Lift the car with a jack stand or ramp. 
• Loosen the reservoir drain bolt to remove the dirty oil.  
• If the fluid looks black, it is completely contaminated and loses its working ability. 
• After draining the fluid, clean the differential space with a rug. 
• Now, put the new oil into the tank with a pump. 
• Reinstall the bolt, and drive the car for 50 miles to check. If that solves your problem, ‘Congratulations. You have done a great job. 

Tip: When changing the fluid, inspect the overall differential to check whether there are any damaged, faulty, or worn-out components. If you find slightly faulty components, you should replace that besides fluid replacement. Otherwise, that may create new issues within some days that may harm your car. 

Issue 2: Differential Whine On Acceleration/Deceleration

The main task of a vehicle’s diff is to maintain rotational rhythm between inside wheels and outside wheels. Because the outer wheels have to pass more space than the inside wheels during acceleration and deceleration. Some users complain that 

• Diff whine on acceleration
• Diff whine on deceleration
• Diff ring and pinion noise on acceleration
• Diff rear end clunking noise on deceleration
• Diff whine when driving the car  above 80 kmph 

Probable Reasons 

• If the pinion bearing becomes faulty or loose, it may make a whining noise. 
• If you find the sound when running the car at more than 20 mph, it may indicate a worn-out carrier bearing.

Potential Solutions

Replacing the old and faulty pinion gear will solve the chattering noise of your diff. To do that, 

• Collect the new pinion gear by matching your car’s diff pinion gear number. 
• Lift the car and remove the diff housing pan to reach the gear. 
• Check the gear, and if that is damaged, uninstall it from its place and install the new one. 

Issue 3: Weather Change

There are different viscose of gear oils, such as 70W-90, 75W-90, 80W-90, 75W-140, 80W-140, etc.  Some suits in summer, while others in winter. 

• Users find unbearable diff humming noise for weather changes, especially hot weather.  

Probable Reasons 

• The thicker gear oils are good for summer, and the thinner is for winter. If you keep the same thinner diff oil for summer. The oil will quickly break down due to excessive heat. So it fails to lube the gear system and makes noise. 

Potential Solutions 

• Change the diff fluid in your BMW or Nissan Titan from 75w90 to 75w140. Hopefully, it will quiet down the diff noise. 

As we have already discussed the process at issue 1, there is no need to repeat the process. Follow these words to fluid replacement. 

However, you can also check whether changing differential fluid makes a difference.

Issue 4: Diff Coasting Whine

It’s not fixed that you always drive your car on flat/city roads. Sometimes, when people try to drive the car in neutral while keeping down the pedal, they find diff whine. They face troubles in

• Diff noise when coasting
• Diff backlash noise
• Diff front end clunking noise when going over bumps
• Diff clunking sound when driving

Probable Reasons

• If too much backlash stores on the gear surfaces. 
• If the pinion gear is tightly meshed, it can make a noise. 
• Worn-out differential bearings also can be the cause behind the noise. 

Potential Solutions 

• If the culprit is too much backlash, you should clean the gear system with a rag and brake cleaner. 
• For tight meshing pinion gear, you have to loosen it.  
• Nothing but replacement is the best way to reduce the noise for worn-out differential bearings. 

Issue 5: Excessive Vibration

Naturally, a car vibrates while driving. But that is a little. Excessive vibration with diff whines in different driving conditions. 

• Many drivers face too much vibration when slowing down or at a particular speed. 

Probable Reasons

• Lack of lubrication to the driveshaft may be the culprit
• If water gets into the diff, that may cause vibration 
• If the U-joint is worn out, it may create vibration throughout the vehicle
• Misaligned pinion gear also can be the reason for the vibration
• If the driveshaft is out of balance, it may vibrate a lot.

Potential Solutions 

• If you find, the reason is the dry driveshaft. You should lubricate the space with grade 2 grease with a calcium sulfonate additive.
• If there is water in the diff, ensure an intact breather where water can’t reach. 
• If the pinion gear is misaligned, rotate the driveshaft with a prybar at 180° in the differential yoke. It’ll help you to properly align the pinion and bearing gear.
• For a worn-out U-joint, you have to replace it.

Issue 6: Low-speed Whine

Do you think users find diff noise only during the quick drive? 

You are absolutely wrong, my friend. Many people face the trouble of differential whining even for driving a car less than 20 mph. Their complaint was 

• Front end clunk at low speed 

Probable Reasons 

• When the car hits bumps, that can make noise due to faulty struts, strut mounts, steering linkage, sway bar bushings, or other loose components. 

Potential Solutions 

First, admit it, all the mechanical jobs aren’t for DIYers. Some need expertise, experience, and heavy tools to perform. This problem is like that. 

• As the problem may involve various types of mechanical parts. So you should seek help from a certified mechanic to diagnose and solve the problem because these aren’t relatively easy to find, even for a seasonal mechanic. 

To get more information, check this video. 

Some Vehicle Life-Saving Tips 

• As soon as you hear an unusual diff noise, you should solve it instantly. The more you delay, the more that can damage the components, the more bucks you need to repair, and the more hassle you will face. So the best practice is to always maintain your car to prolong its lifespan. 

• Never judge all the vehicles (ATV, UTV, light truck, heavy-duty truck, etc.) equally. Even differential whining issues may also differ brand by brand. So, you must consult the manufacturer to detect and solve the diff noise problem. 

• If the problem is difficult to diagnose. If you don’t have the required tools, time, patience, and skill to deal with that. It would help if you never involved it without an expert, as it may increase the difficulty instead of reducing it. In that case, call a professional and let him handle it. 

How long can I drive with pinion-bearing noise?

There are no exact miles that you can drive with pinion-bearing noise. If the noise is a little, you can go 100k miles. But if there is too much noise, it wouldn’t be better to drive the car even for 100 feet. 

Quite Your Car Like Soundproof

Too much diff noise destroys the peace and the mood of driving enjoyment. It is also drastically irritating. And increasing the risk of accidents is beyond description. So, it isn’t a light matter to ignore. 

Be proactive to quiet differential whine instead of being reactive. 

Hopefully, following our guidelines will help you to trigger the noise-producing diff components and change them straightforwardly. 

Wish you a peaceful journey each time you drive!