Rear-end whining and clicking

[savage]

Hi guys, I have a 2005 Frontier, 2WD, Manual, 120K.

Recently, the rear end started making a repetitive clicking a noise from 0mph to 60+ and also a loud whining noise that progressively gets louder from 30mph on up. When I let off the gas the whining noise stops.

Does any one know what the problem is or what may be about to fail? Also how much work might go into fixing it, Thanks!

** Background information - I recently pulled a trailer for a long distance, half way through the trip I blew a rear axel seal. It was repaired but I am sure what ever is wrong is probably from my trip.

[dubie2003]

Have you isolated it to the diff and only the diff? Have you coasted in neutral (clutch pedal in) to see if the noise is still there?

The clicking/whine could be the gears themselves, U-joints, etc...

How long was it run with the fluid low? Was there chucks or only shavings in the diff? How heavy was the trailer?

There are a lot of things that come into play. We need a lot more information to help give you true direction, without it you get the shotgun effect which is basically, check everything....

[Mandangalo]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say pinion bearing. There are 2, and based on the history and the symptoms that's what it sounds like to me.

I forget which it is but if one bearing is bad it will whine/squeal when u hit the gas. If the other is bad it will do the same during coasting. I wouldn't start opening it up till an axle shop confirms that is the issue

[upflying]

The blown axle seal could have spilled enough gear oil to starve the pinion bearing for oil.

[savage]

Thanks Dubie2003, I will do the neutral test tomorrow. I am not sure how long the fluid was low but I dont think it was too long, it had fresh Amzoil fluid in it. I asked the mechanic if there was metal in the oil and he said it looked normal. The trailer was probably 4000lbs max?

Mandangalo sorry for the newb question, but where is the pinion bearing?

[upflying]

Originally Posted by savage

Thanks Dubie2003, I will do the neutral test tomorrow. I am not sure how long the fluid was low but I dont think it was too long, it had fresh Amzoil fluid in it. I asked the mechanic if there was metal in the oil and he said it looked normal. The trailer was probably 4000lbs max?

Mandangalo sorry for the newb question, but where is the pinion bearing?

How a Differential Works and Types of Differentials - YouTube

How a Differential Works and Types of Differentials - YouTube

[Mandangalo]

On the pinion shaft, inside the diff. One is right behind the pinion seal

[StormFrontier]

Mine has been whining real bad for a while now, but it's opposite of yours in the sense that it makes noise when I'm coasting and turning right. I'm pretty sure it's the pinion bearing as well.

[savage]

Dubie2003 - I coasted in neutral and both noises go away. What does that mean?

[D189379]

Originally Posted by savage

Dubie2003 - I coasted in neutral and both noises go away. What does that mean?

U-joint.