Anyone else have a howling harmonic feeling from rearend?

[BILLVO]

I recently bought an 05 has 25k miles and when I test drove it I never took it over 70mph. On the trip home I felt and heard a harmonic howl from the rear end. It starts at 70 and gets louder past that. It only does it under power at coast it goes away. The dealer installed a new driveshaft and it quieted it down to about half of what it was. But its still there at same speeds. Don't hear it quite as loud now but still feel it in the SOP. Owner of dealership said it is common in others they have sold also. Also told me it seemed to be the 04-05 years that only seem to have the issue they have found.

Anyone else notice this?

 

[MoparDave]

Only after watching Deliverance on TV!

Just kidding, cant say I have notice it on the 06

 

[Hoefler]

Sounds like ring and pinion are bad. When you are coasting or slowing down, the load transfer to the back side of the teeth, that is why you don't hear it unless you are accelerating.

 

[BILLVO]

Sounds like ring and pinion are bad. When you are coasting or slowing down, the load transfer to the back side of the teeth, that is why you don't hear it unless you are accelerating.

I was thinking along those lines. I have ran into that before also but with only 25k I thought it was odd, But not ruled out. I installed a set from Randys ring and pinion in a vehicle and it did the same thing. He replaced it for me no problem.



I found it odd the new shaft quieted it down. It is a different style than what was on there. The old one was flared up to a bigger tube then down at the yoke. the new one is the same size from yoke to yoke.



The mag plug on the cover had no unusaul findings and the oil and level looked good. Probably a bad patterned gear set.

 

[p-Bar]

I am having the same problems , believe it is the ring and pinion too. I need to get it in almost have 70k ,warranty on powertrain out at 70k

 

[roperteacher]

You MIGHT try and add some friction modifier to it. It does not call for it but MANY MANY MANY have added it and cured grinding and howling issues. Worth a try and you wioll know very quickly if it worked or not...

 

[hearingyourlies]

Could have something to do with the fact you have a two piece driveshaft. Think it's common in Mega Cab's too?

 

[JZayac]

I got the same sound on my 5500

 

[BILLVO]

Could have something to do with the fact you have a two piece driveshaft. Think it's common in Mega Cab's too?

Mine is a 1 piece its a short box.

 

[betterthanstock]

It may not be the differential, if it's a lower pitch sound.



Search for "drone" at 70 mph, or 2000 rpm. Lots of causes for it, lots of fixes.

Usually only around 2000 rpm. Go 100 rpm higher and see if it dissapears.

 

[Mr.Goat]

My 03 is a reg cab X 8' box HO 6spd. It has made that same noise since day one. Had it back to the dealers to be told it's normal have since learned it's not and it is an issue with the differential.

At this point my warrenty is off. Other than the noise it works fine, but it is deafning at times, other times it's not there. Worse at lower speeds on mine, 35 to 50 mph or so.

 

[BILLVO]

It may not be the differential, if it's a lower pitch sound.



Search for "drone" at 70 mph, or 2000 rpm. Lots of causes for it, lots of fixes.

Usually only around 2000 rpm. Go 100 rpm higher and see if it dissapears.

Not a drone. It is lower frequency but more of a groaning growl, It is speed related not rpm it is there at 2000rpm in od and at 2500 rpm od off, starts at 70 mph and increases in frequency with speed and gets worse as speed increases but only under load/normal load, quits at coast comes in as throttle is eased into again.

 

[betterthanstock]

Not a drone. It is lower frequency but more of a groaning growl, It is speed related not rpm it is there at 2000rpm in od and at 2500 rpm od off, starts at 70 mph and increases in frequency with speed and gets worse as speed increases but only under load/normal load, quits at coast comes in as throttle is eased into again.

When have you last changed diff. oil?

Too thin an oil will cause noisier operation.

 

[BILLVO]

Just bought it a month ago with 24,500 miles and diff oil has probably never been changed. I am looking for a good deal on a limited slip carrier to stuff in it. At that point I will have the dealer check the backlash,gear pattern, runout and preload thrust all at once before pulling the factory carrier out. If they decide to put in a new gear set I will supply the ls carrier and get the labor and gearset under warranty.

 

[JKibby]

Yes,



The '03 was bought back due to the howl ( 3 bad rear ends). Long story but they couldn't solve the problems. The 04 started howling at about 28,000 mi after I put on a new diff cover and put in Royal Purple. I notice it more when it is cold (morning in socal if you call that cold)and only 30-40 mph.



Jim

 

[steved]

Isn't there a TSB for some of the early trucks... something about a pinion flange being machined wrong that caused a rear end whine???

I was going to ask if the fluid was ever changed... mine started to whine after around 25k with Mobile 1 75w90 (75k on the truck)... I believe the fluid sheared (wore out). I also had a little vibration at lower speeds.

I was so sure of a bad pinion bearing, that I pulled the cover to inspect the magnet, which I found clean. The fluid was slightly brown (went in clear). I changed the fluid to Royal Purple 85w140, and I have not had the same thing happen since changing to RP.

steved

 

[p-Bar]

Isn't there a TSB for some of the early trucks... something about a pinion flange being machined wrong that caused a rear end whine???



I was going to ask if the fluid was ever changed... mine started to whine after around 25k with Mobile 1 75w90 (75k on the truck)... I believe the fluid sheared (wore out). I also had a little vibration at lower speeds.



I was so sure of a bad pinion bearing, that I pulled the cover to inspect the magnet, which I found clean. The fluid was slightly brown (went in clear). I changed the fluid to Royal Purple 85w140, and I have not had the same thing happen since changing to RP.



steved

How about this:

03-004-04 2wd 2500 140. 5" wb Axle whine.

This bulletin applies to 4x2, 2500 series, 140. 5 inch wheel base vehicles equipped with diesel engine, sales code ETC/ETH, and an automatic transmission, sales code DG8. The problem is that some vehicles may exhibit rear axle whine at speeds between 35 and 70 mph. The repair procedure involves identification of the pinion flange and propeller shaft that the vehicle is equipped with. If a repair is necessary, the propeller shaft is replaced using the chart listing the appropriate part numbers.

 

[steved]

How about this:

03-004-04 2wd 2500 140. 5" wb Axle whine.

This bulletin applies to 4x2, 2500 series, 140. 5 inch wheel base vehicles equipped with diesel engine, sales code ETC/ETH, and an automatic transmission, sales code DG8. The problem is that some vehicles may exhibit rear axle whine at speeds between 35 and 70 mph. The repair procedure involves identification of the pinion flange and propeller shaft that the vehicle is equipped with. If a repair is necessary, the propeller shaft is replaced using the chart listing the appropriate part numbers.

Yep, that's it... I know it might not "apply", but neither did the rattling clutch in my 04. 5 that only affected the 03s...



steved

 

[JLitton]

Mine is in the shop right now getting the rear ring/pinion, bearings and seals replaced. I have 28000 miles on it and started hearing a whine between 42 - 45 mph. Only heard it when I was accelerating. When I coasted, there was nothing. Even a light throttle would do it.



In talking the guys at the dealership, they said a bearing probably went out and caused metal shaving to get in the ring and pinion. They said they should be shiny, but mine were pitted and scratched. $100 deductible and its fixed. They sais the ring and pinion alone were $950 if I had to pay.



Also, I left my Edge on the truck and they didn't say a word.

 

[Tony D]

I have the same problem and I think I it's a bad universal.

I am taking it in next week. Common issue on these trucks.

tony