possible transmission trouble

[List]

I own a 92 ,2WD, auto trans. A mild tweak to the fuel pump is the only enhancement to date 177,000 miles. Latley I've noticed a whining noise which I blamed on the tires. while driving home tonight at 55 mph I shifted to neutral and let the engine idle and the whine went totally away while only slowing to 50 mph and soon as I shifted back into the whine came back. I believe this is the beginning of transmission failure. It still shifts fine, no slipping. Fluid and filter changes have been the only maintainance thus far. Has anyone else had these symptoms?

 

[DPKetchum]

For some reason I feel like your describing a differential noise. More under a load then without. The big bearing on the o. d. unit could cause a howl. But your impression of tire noise makes me think a diff. noise??

 

[dan brooks]

Ditto on the rear diff. It would be worth pulling the cover to see if there is any metal on the magnet. It's apparently fairly common for the bearings to spin, either on the carrier or in the housing.



Mine spun on the carrier and spit a couple shims - luckily my truck has low mileage and we caught it pretty early, so the ring and pinion wasn't damaged. It had a noticable howl around 40-50 MPH under light throttle - since we replaced the carrier bearings and reset the backlash the noise is barely audible.



Hopefully you won't find what I did when I pulled the cover, but... .



EDIT: More info on my situation here - if it turns out to be the rear diff maybe you'll be able to save yours the same way. Thread

 

[List]

Diff-noise

Thanks for the Replys Guys. I will change the lube in both the diff and transmission this mourning and look for glitter & shavings. I've driven semis for over 2 million miles and have heard lots of whining and growling in the drive lines under load and at coast but this one has me stumped as to its location so far. I'll get back with you after the fluid changes.

 

[DPKetchum]

I would think if its a trans noise you could load trans in gear and get some sort of noise if its a pump type noise. If a o/d bearing that wont work. Have seen the o/d bearings howl and no signs of any metal in pan etc. Have you got someone that can ride in the bed of truck and listen. Also if you have a sliding back glass,open it and noise will increase. Still think your describing a differential noise .

 

[List]

changed the diff fluid - looks good ,no glitter or shavings. while up on stands had the wife throttle it up to 55 mph and turn OD off and noise went away, back into OD and noise returned and noise sounds like its coming from transmission. off to the trans shop for an estimate.

Thanks Fellows

 

[DPKetchum]

10 to 1 its the big bearing in o. d. unit. if so it can be repaired without doing or taking the whole trans out or apart I think.

 

["Mad Max"]

Rear end whining...

List -

When I got my 93 the rear end was shot, but I didn't realize it was the rear end that was making this whining sound (only in gear under power) until I opened the rear sliding window while at highway speed, and woah man - the entire bed was singing and I knew then and there the diff was gone. Unfortunately the bill came to about $1400 to fix the D70, including new ring and pinion, new posi clutches, new bearings (all 6), and basically new everything else except the axles. Hope yours is not this bad. If trans I hope it's just a bearing and not the OD.

Good luck -

- S

 

[List]

with 177K I decided to go for a complete rebuild, $1250. I'm glad this showed up now and not eight weeks from now when I'll be towing my 5th Wheel to Myrtle Beach. The shop I chose said there was problem with the OEM trans cooler and a check valve within the cooler line cloggig up with debris over time and starving the OD unit of lube.

 

[DPKetchum]

USE a different torque converter! You will be much happier in how it tows and drives. I put the TCI convertor in mine because flex plate broke. Its a huge difference in the way it drives. Converters will run you anywhere from $350 to $900

 

[DPKetchum]

Never heard of ONLY o. d,being starved for lube. O. D. is were its driven over 90% of the time and its were the most wear occurs on that bearing in it. It is also why up to 6 qts of synthetic 5 w30 motor oil can be used in a auto trans. It provides a crush between bearings etc.

 

["Mad Max"]

ditto on the converter

DPK is right - while it's apart, throw the stock converter far away, and spend the $$$ on a new aftermarket one. There are several possibilities, and several threads on this particular topic. DPK and I both run TCI's and like them. Overall rpm is about the same once you're up to speed, but it 'stalls' about 200-300 rpm lower than the stocker, and I've noticed the biggest difference when I'm wanting to pass someone on the highway. They're about $350, and Summit Racing is about as cheap a place to get one. But, if you're out for the best, there are better and more $ ones available, like the DTT units. Again, check out the previous threads - search the forums on 'converters', and prepare for LOTS of reading!

If you decide on the TCI unit, it's pn# 142250, made specifically for a Cummins. Up to you and your budget, but DO replace the 'verter - don't even think about it - you will be happy you did. I have 217k miles on my stock trans, and the converter made a huge difference. Fortunately my od hasn't blown apart yet.

- S

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

I agree with the advice on the TC... I'd also like to suggest that you have a good shift kit put in.

That will help continue the improved power tranfer you'll see with the high efficiency TC.

Have your internal pressures set to the upper end of recommended spec too.

All this will help.

You can improve the shift firmess a bit more by using a more "aggressive" oil like Dexron II or Ford "true type F"



Last, the valve you mention was installed to prevent drain back as mentioned, but it normally isn't a bottle neck for "debris" unless something is really wrong internally. One thing it does do and that is restrict some of the fluid flow, which reduces cooling efficiency a bit. .



Bob.

 

[KBalzuweit]

Does anybody have any info on the od bearing replacement, I am starting to have the same whine. My 92 had the same noise then about 5 or 6k later the trans went. If its an easy replacement, I would like to try it!! I tried a search but could not find anything.

 

[DPKetchum]

Look in the service manual I think its a pull tail shaft type deal. Its a BIG bearing in the o. d. section. I remember handling a few on Dodge V8 gas burners. I don't think trans were removed. Its a roller bearing bigger then your wrist. I will try to look it up later today.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

First, my apologies if I have missed this part, but, has the problem been confirmed as a bearing and/or OD problem.

I didn't see that mentioned is why I'm asking. .



JMHO, here, if you are going to use an aftermarket TC and it is a low stall convertor. Try to get a ride in a truck that has one and is around your HP level. The reason I mention this is, there are some that will hold onto your engine like there's no tomorrow. Normally that would be a good thing, unless you find it holds the truck down too much and won't let it get rolling from a stop, or when towing/hauling heavy and/or at altitude.



Just my . 02$



Bob.