I have a 2002 with the 9 3/4" rear. It has been back to the dealer three times for the noisy gears in 15,000 miles.

The dealer checked pinion setting and installed new pinion bearings twice and new gears and ALL new bearings once to no avail. They then put me on their list for the "fix" when it becomes available.

Since I have been setting up gears for other peeps, on and off for thirty years, I decided to take a shot at it myself.

On first inspection, I noticed the pattern was "very heavy heel". I borrowed the tooling from my dealer and verified that the pinion setting was correct, according to their gauge, (it was).

I removed the pinion and pulled off the rear bearing. There was a .038" shim. Looking at the pattern and considering the size of the gears, I reinstalled the same bearing (only 5000 miles) using a .046 shim. I checked the pattern using white pigment and while I wouldn't have called it "good", it was now "slightly heavy toe" which is more desirable. I buttoned it back up and filled it with 50/50 petro and synthetic 140 gear oil with 1 bottle of FM.

The end result is extremely gratifying. The whine is all but gone. I think I can hear something, sometimes, maybe, at about 42 mph on tip in but only after driving a mile or so, as the dif is warming up, before or after that it is absolutely dead silent.

I told the Service Manager at my Dealer that he could take me off the list for the "fix", at least for now. He was very interested in what I had done and said he would be sure to tell the zone rep.

BTW, I have 3.73 gears and a full SVT conversion under the hood.

 

I've had the bearings and gears ,and driveshaft replaced and still can't get rid of the whine.I'm really starting to lose my since of humor over this. Keep us posted , I would be very interested to know if this fix lasts. Thanks

 

From what I can deduce, the problem lies in incorrectly machined housings, probably pinion bore location. The "fix" as I understand it would be a new (correctly machined) housing. Some have tried it with a current production unit resulting in no improvement.

Considering the fact that I am putting down almost 500 at the wheels, if mine stays quiet for six months, I'd say it would work behind a stocker forever.

I'll try to remember to post a follow-up in the fall but if you really want to know, send me a tickler.

 

I have a 2001 std rear end, with the 45/80mph whine. The only fix is a new rear end, hub to hub. the houseing was casted and milled incorrectly. Mine is at the dealer now and the RR will be put in thursday. Its been there over 3 weeks now.

 

terrykenny,

I'll be extremely interested to see if you are one of the lucky ones.

 

madferraristi, I should be Ok, its still under warranty, well lets say 120 miles left on it. Mine is the third on this forum that I know of with a complete remove and replace. They have rebuilt the innards 5 times with no luck. This was the last task. Hey they are paying for a rental replacement while mine is in the shop, a 2004 super crew. Very quiet and not much power.

 

The new rearend is in and the truck is quiet at all speeds. The housing still has all the factory stickers on it. It sure drives different, than the 2004 S/C loaner I had. All is well

 

I should have asked before, what is your gear ratio?