Rear end whine when on the gas

[12161216]

Hello there, on my 97 pathy I have always had this but now just looking into it. When I am at highway speeds and I am on the gas I hear a light whine from I believe the rear end and if I let off the gas it will go away. I have replaced the fluids and the truck has 126k on it. I am guessing it is the rear end but not sure where to begin and how big and expensive a job it is.(bearings, gears) Am I best to leave it alone?

 

Thanks

James H

Edited August 6, 2010 by 12161216

[nunya]

Curious... hows your universal joints in the driveshaft? They have zerks fittings on them you could greese to make sure you don't have a dry one?

[XPLORx4]

My 97 has had the same lightly audible diff whine sound for many tens of thousands of miles. (My R50 has 165K miles.) If it's just a lightly audible whine, it's probably not that big a deal, and much more of a headache/expense to fix. If it's really loud, then that indicates a much more serious problem.

[fleurys]

I have the same and I know it's the pignon bearing... but it's not getting better or worse. Considering the cost to change this part , I would say, if it stays like that and worsen , then leave it alone... Other than that, like nunya said, it could be your ujoint.

[12161216]

Thanks guys,I will check the zerks tomorrow, I wknow I did them all 6 months ago but is is possible I missed one.

My thoughts exavtly about the noise, as long as it is not getting louder to just live with it or get some louder tires.

 

James

[shortysmash]

my 01 has the same whine. its not getting better or worse. one of the guys i work with suggested since my car has 180k i could try and tighten the pinion nut just a hair. but i dunno how much that would hurt it. any estimate on cost to replace bearing since you have to completely tear down the diff