So the new family battle wagon, aka "Blue" has one hell of a drivetrain rumble from 40-70mph. It sounds like a worn wheel bearing but is only present under load, silent during coasting and decel. No distinguishable variation in noise while turning.

Certainly not the front driveshaft, it's brand spanking new. Rotated 180 for ****s in giggles and no change in harmonics.

Why do I think front diff or R&P? Since none of the receipts showed diff fluid change, I changed them when I first got it this spring. Front diff/R&P had tons, and I mean tons, of shavings and half the fluid had a nice metallic shear. R&P seem to also have excessive rotation before teeth engagement, roughly 30-40 degrees. Mileage is 116K, so it's possible.

I'm finally tearing down the 2000 so I'll compare the R&P action on that one this week. Right now I'm thinking of swapping entire diff to compare if the rotation before engagement seems tighter. May even replace the hubs with some cheapo chinese units since I'll have them out anyways.

So my Q, anyone have similar woes? Seems like 116K is low for such excessive R&P wear, but you never know how it was used.

 

I saw something similar in my rear (the play and metal shavings, not the oil). Then again, when I changed the oil there was a decent amount of water in the oil that I believe caused the issue. I would consider that an excessive amount of wear, but I don't have a ton of R&P experience.

 

you can just pull the axle and hubs as a units and just slide the newer diff in place.
those off-shore hubs if the have taylor number are just fine.

 

Like Drow said, you could always replace the diff. Marty sells them for like $70 shipped...

 

I have a similar issue and have been debating how to handle. My Diffs are pretty clean now but when i bough the truck it had alot metal on the magnet and was a black with bubbles. That was 22K miles ago (she has 117K now). Changed it twice since then 80/140 and its clean now but i still have the same whine and rumble. Thinking just replace the diff, not sure who Marty is but will give him a call just let me know his details, I am sure he is on here and i will recognize him with his user name.

 

Check the parts section for a guy drillbit "i" think it is

 

thanks for the insight - I will do. I'll update the group on how it goes.

 

so after looking - it appears just pop the two ball joints and pull...seems like a simple first step - better than wrestling with the hubs - they never come out easy, but always go in nice.

 

4 bolts and the hubs and axle slide out.