Differential whine?
Discussion
I have a similar problem in trying to identify transmission noise. Mine seems to be in the gearbox area. Basically a continous mechanical noise not increasing or decreasing with acceleration. First thought was front wheel bearings, replaced to no effect. On advice oil levels gearbox/diff checked and additives put in to see if it made any difference: not really! Rear wheel bearings? No difference when cournering?? Another TVR owner did point out that you are virtually sat on top of the transmission so should expect some noise. Another opinion was that it might be the first motion shaft bearing in the gearbox. So I guess after carrying out the above I've discounted the diff' and will leave the rest until it gets worse. Try some additives Adam in the gearbox or diff and see if it makes any difference to aid identification but whining does indicate diff' I'm afraid. J C.
Whines and squeaks can be really difficult to find and diagnose, so don't just assume it's the diff, although checking oil and its condition never hurts, and gearbox as well.
Try seeing if noise changes when you put clutch in, decelerate/accelerate, is there a whine when stood still, does it change/stop if clutch pressed ? Turn left and right also.... All that kind of thing.
Hopefully that will give you some more clues and help confirm.
From what you said, noise seems to gradually quieten as you go up the gears, I'd be suspicious of the gearbox (but I would still do the checks)
Ford boxes tend to do that when layshaft bearings wear out, don't know about LT77/Rover - I would assume it's similar.
I thought 4HU diffs tend to rumble rather than whine ? Or is that not true ? (i.e. lower rotation rate than gbox ?)
Try seeing if noise changes when you put clutch in, decelerate/accelerate, is there a whine when stood still, does it change/stop if clutch pressed ? Turn left and right also.... All that kind of thing.
Hopefully that will give you some more clues and help confirm.
From what you said, noise seems to gradually quieten as you go up the gears, I'd be suspicious of the gearbox (but I would still do the checks)
Ford boxes tend to do that when layshaft bearings wear out, don't know about LT77/Rover - I would assume it's similar.
I thought 4HU diffs tend to rumble rather than whine ? Or is that not true ? (i.e. lower rotation rate than gbox ?)
Edited by RCK974X on Tuesday 16th August 23:35
4HU diffs are not prone to oil leaks unless the output shaft seals are shot, which can happen due to overheated brakes. They'll also tolerate a lot of abuse. I stripped my PowrLok at 122,000 miles (to replace the oil seals due to the aforementioned cooked brakes)and could detect no wear or damage in the bearings, the oil had minimal metal particles and the gear wear pattern was as shown in the Salisbury manual - and my car hasn't been driven by Granny for 29 years.
So if it has oil, there's no play in the bearings and the seals don't leak it'll probably go on for years even if it is noisy
More likely is that you have tired UJs, they create a vibration that increases with road speed and diminishes a bit if you dip the clutch whilst rolling (as the load comes off). Thay get a lot of stick on the Wedge as the half-shafts also act as the suspension upper link.
People sometimes grease the half-shaft UJs but forget about those on the propshaft (which spins faster although it displaces less from its axis).
So if it has oil, there's no play in the bearings and the seals don't leak it'll probably go on for years even if it is noisy
More likely is that you have tired UJs, they create a vibration that increases with road speed and diminishes a bit if you dip the clutch whilst rolling (as the load comes off). Thay get a lot of stick on the Wedge as the half-shafts also act as the suspension upper link.
People sometimes grease the half-shaft UJs but forget about those on the propshaft (which spins faster although it displaces less from its axis).
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