Rear Diff Problem?

[angrydan]

Ug... not a good week for my SVX! First my mysterious gas problem, now this... on my drive in to work today, I started noticing a whirring sound coming from the rear of the car. It is definitely speed associated... I speed up, sound increases; slow down, sound decreases. It is not a high pitched sound. Based on a few searches around the site, it seems this is commonly associated with a failing diff. I've never had to mess with the rear diff before. Is there a dipstick somewhere back there to check the fluid level? Is it possible that if the fluid just got low it is still salvageable?

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by angrydan

Ug... not a good week for my SVX! First my mysterious gas problem, now this... on my drive in to work today, I started noticing a whirring sound coming from the rear of the car. It is definitely speed associated... I speed up, sound increases; slow down, sound decreases. It is not a high pitched sound. Based on a few searches around the site, it seems this is commonly associated with a failing diff. I've never had to mess with the rear diff before. Is there a dipstick somewhere back there to check the fluid level? Is it possible that if the fluid just got low it is still salvageable?

Could be a failing wheel bearing.

You can check the rear diff by removing the fill plug thats sits at the rear of the diff just about half-way up. Open it and see if any gear oil comes out. Ideally, a full diff will have a fluid level at the height to allow gear oil to just barely come out of the fill hole. If nothing comes out, dip a finger in there and see where the levels at and how dark it is.

[angrydan]

If it is low, is that where i would add it? What type of oil is recommended?

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by angrydan

If it is low, is that where i would add it? What type of oil is recommended?

Yeah, you can usually just squeeze it right in from the bottle tip with a little maneuvering. A good 80w-90 hypoid gear oil is best, but if you dont know whats already in there, drain it completely and refill with all new gear oil so you dont mix 2 different weights..

[angrydan]

Well, just to close this one off... I just got final word from my mechanic. It was definitely wheel bearings and NOT the differential! (Breathing a sigh of relief) Thanks for all your input on the issue!

-Dan

[Subie59]

Well Dan, no reason to be angry now..