Diff Noise

[Andav469]

I have a 99 Chimaera 500 with 34k and have noticed a noise above 40 mph, that seems to be coming from the diff, the noise seems like a dry bearing noise (difficult to explain in words) there are no oil leaks from the diff.

I usually drive with the roof down and have never heard the noise before so it may have bee gradually getting noisy without me noticing.

Been out in the car a couple of times in the last 2 months to keep it running with the roof on and I'm hearing noises I've never heard before, maybe the diff is ok and just seems noisy from my daily driver!

The diff is the later BTR type, there are no knocks and the drive take up is smooth, is it a known issue that bearings begin to get noisy before anything else in the diff fails?

The oil was changed 3000 miles ago during a service at a TVR Specialist

Is it best to pull the diff and have it completely rebuilt or is this overkill?

[Trevor450]

I thought my diff was noisy but it turned out it was a worn wheel bearing so that may be worth a check first.

Saying that, my diff now has a leak and is getting a refurb and new bushes while the body is off.

[PYNEY]

I've found when having the roof on during the winter that you hear noises that you didn't hear before when the roof was off during the summer months
all being well its just a slight noise that you have noticed which is a standard thing with these cars being that the diff is just under where you sit and no sound insulation !! if you can get it to a tvr garage for a test drive to put your mind at rest , let us know how you get on

[Toolbox200]

Had the same experience as Trevor450.....sounded like a noisy diff, turned out to be a rear wheel bearing. Well worth a check.

[Hoofa]

Yep rear wheel bearing worth a check , I had mine fitted with a quaife diff internal on a rebuild if you really want to go that far

[Andav469]

Thanks chaps, checked the wheel bearings today and the NSR is very rough, I'm amazed it didn't sound worse!