AAM Axle Noise

[Gauthier]

What is causing the whine associated with the 11. 5"? Several people are reporting this problem and some have had it "fixed". What was found to be the problem? Pinion depth, backlash, gear set defect, machining errors in the housing etc. ? Has DC officially acknowledged the problem?



I have a whine in my 3. 73 with the anti-spin; build date is 10/03. The noise is slightly noticeable under power between 45-55mph and very pronounced coasting at all speeds. I'm reluctant to let the dealer try a fix without some recognition from DC that there is indeed a widespread problem.



From what I understand, the Duramax uses the same rear, and the Duramax web forums rarely mention any issues with the 11. 5"AAM. Could the whine be coming from the differential? The Duramax uses an Eaton Gov-lok, while the Rams use the AAM TracRiteªGT.

 

[racebeeper68]

My 04. 5 has a whine when accelerating , it is a lite sound and you here it the most in 3rd and 4th gears when on the throttle if you let off it instantly goes away. Not sure if it is the transmission , TC or rear? Also not sure if it is normal once up to speed it isn't noticeable. Kind of thought I would put a few more miles on it and see what others where reporting to see if it was normal since otherwise the truck is so quiet or not? It now has almost 1400 miles on it and I didn't tow my trailer till 700+ miles.

 

[coonrod70]

Rearend whine

I'm sure glad mine is'nt the only one out there making noise! My truck has about 17k on it now and has been making noise since about 15k. I've been trying to isolate the sound as to whether its under aload or coasting but I believe it does it either way. Will be taking it in to the dealer in next few weeks to get there opinion.

 

[curatchko]

My 11. 5 axle has a whine while slowing down... typically from 45 to around 30 is the peak... . I had the dealer replace the ring and pinion and it did get quieter but it's still there.



My driveshaft is so out of balance though that it's probably cuasing the pinion bearing to fail... hopefully that will get fixed today.

 

[Big Wheel]

Mine has the same whine about 20 to 25 m. p. h. its real loud when its cold out or you first start out it kinda quits down at about 35 m. p. h.

 

[Byershome]

Mine has it right at 50 mph under power it goes away when you let off the diesel. Took it to my dealer who was no help ( honestly I can't hear a thing)but next week I am going back for the check gauges light they could not identify either and will note it again on the report.

 

[rbattelle]

Is this noise loud enough to hurt your ears, or make you a bit tone-deaf after a long drive?

 

[Byershome]

Mine is not loud enough to cause any discomfort which is why I have not made a big deal about it.

 

[sag2]

If you have a 2WD there are new damped rear drive shafts available for most build combinations. Your dealer will have to call STAR with the PN off your old shaft to get the correct new shaft. Not available for 4WD yet.

All rear end gears make noise at some speed. The drive line is apparently sensitive to the frequency of the ring and pinion, and acts like a tuning fork.

 

[Blownaway]

Hey BIG WHEEL, I have the exact same thing as you I think

 

[EB]

Mine has been doing it for over 102,000 miles so I really don't think it's anything to worry about.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Mine started after the first couple of hunder miles. Finally took it to the ******* because when pulling my trailer it gets load when pulling hard. The ******* said yes you have a noise. They kept the truck several days, used the chassie ears to try and pin point the noise, took rearend cover off and couldn't find any problems. The noise is still there but it isn't as loud as before. DC gave me a 100,000 mile warranty in writing on the rearend. Hopefully if it is going to grenade it will do it before then.

 

[Gauthier]

I'm bringing the truck to the dealer in the morning. My main concern is that almost everything I'm reading on the web forums indicates that the dealer is very seldom able to repair the problem and reduce the noise. Judging by the web forums, it seems that the only real solution is to replace the entire rear. Perhaps there is a machining error on the housing itself? Any suggestions when talking to the service manager?

Thanks!

 

[inarush76]

When I picked my truck up my truck 6/03 with 5 miles on it, had the whine on drive side starting at 40-45. Had dealer replace ring and pinion and all bearings. Made a good bit of difference in reducing noise, but some is still there. Am waiting to see if better fix is out later, or may pitch a fit for a whole rear axle assembly. My '98 with 90K is quiet (dana 70). I am not buying the whole "it's normal" thing. My son drives a '96 3500 with 290K + hauling cars and it is quiet. I heard DC dropped Dana over noise issues on Jeeps. Go figure.



James

 

[MLee]

noise/warranty

My experience has been, on a new vehicle If you have a question on anything, go to the dealer and have it documented . If l there is a problem latter on then you have proof that it was looked at. Some time this might be inconvenient but do it asap.

just my penny's worth.



Marv.

 

[Johnstra]

Mine is in the shop now having ring/pinion/bearings replaced. We'll see how good the fix is in a few days.

 

[MLee]

Whine????

Is this whine showing up in just the 03's or is it in all the AAM axles???

Some thing else to alert my son on to look for.

Hope that the Pariot blue problem (thin/chipable) piant got fixed. his is one of the 04. 5 kind.

Marv.

 

[Big Wheel]

Mine is a 04 and it has it. at about 20 or 25 m. p. h. more so when you first start out once it worms up it is still there but not as loud. I think the 1st and 2nd gneration trucks had it but the engine noise covered it up . just my 2 cents worth

 

[Heavy Duty]

Anyone know what chassis ears are? Thats what the dealer used to pin point the noise on my truck. Thing is it pin pointed the noise coming from the rear of the truck but have yet to find out what is causing the noise. My '96 and '00 didn't have any such noise. May be it was because of the engine noise. But as loud as mine was I think I would have heard it even above the engine noise.



I agree about keeping the records. After I got my truck back I called DC customer service and explained to them that they either fix the problem or give me an extended warranty. They sent a letter stating that the entire rearend assembly would be cover up to 100,000 miles with no deductable. Hope i don't have to take them up on the warranty issue.

 

[Gauthier]

The dealer thinks the ring & pinion is bad, they will replace it Monday.