old: howling issue
 

UPDATE: Please see current post. This description combines two separate issues. Please do not post :)

My 95 awd started making this howling sound a couple weeks ago on deceleration. When accelerating, no sound...let off, howling like a bad wheel bearing. I couldn't tell where it was coming from, except that it was on the driver's side.

I thought it was probably a wheel bearing, but it didn't get better/worse on right or left turning so thought it may be something else.

I decided to take it in and have them check the fluid, rear diff and transmission was fine. Took the car home and checked the front diff...completely dry :eek:

oh crap, just got my 4.44 last year :( :( :( and put a lot of money into it. Why was it dry???

Filled it up now and took it for a drive...still makes the noise. Then put the fwd fuse in, and the noise is gone! Maybe the fuse did something, or the fluid finally got distributed throughout.

1. Why would putting the fwd fuse in change anything?
2. Why would the sound come from the driver's side if it's the diff?
3. If it's a bearing, will it continue to get worse after adding fluid or stay the same?

Any ideas/feedback welcome!

Re: Howling on deceleration, front diff. fluid gone
 

i don't have a 4.44 , but this happened to me, i have found my front diff completly dry, i thought i had broken it. i just filled it with fresh "synthetic" oil 75w80 . it does leak a littlebit , i must put about 1 l. per 1000,1500. it is still going good as long as i keep an eye on the dip stick...it looks like leaking between the engine and differential. i dont know how it is made inside but it doesn't seems to get worse

i would say as long as there is oil ,your okay.but for a long term fix i think the best way would be to repair it. "i'll wait next summer"

i don't think fwd would change something because it is still related to the engine\trans.

Re: Howling on deceleration, front diff. fluid gone
 

Thanks Francis...I was hoping that it was just the fact that I hadn't waited long enough before putting in the fuse. If it leaks a little, that's ok. Much better than having to replace the transmission again! Like you said, "I'll wait til next summer" :D

Re: Howling on deceleration, front diff. fluid gone
 

You can replace just the differential. However if you can't do the work yourself you will be much better just replacing the whole trans as to change the diff you have to drop the trans and separate the diff from the trans.

Re: Howling on deceleration, front diff. fluid gone
 

Ahh! Well, I have an update on the issue but I'm going to repost because the front diff seems to be a completely separate thing from the howling.

Re: Howling on deceleration, front diff. fluid gone
 

Thread closed at OPs request.