Hi all,

TLDR: Have any of you had a drive shaft support so destroyed that it could "flop" ~1" in any direction? If so, did this make an audible noise which went away when you let off the gas? Or did it make no noise?

So my 2006 LR3 SE with (161k miles) was working just fine. And then I got stuck in a large puddle/mud pit, flooded the interior and had to get pulled out. The way I got stuck put the rear of the vehicle much deeper than the front, but prior to getting stuck I was 32" tires deep all around. Immediately after getting out, the vehicle developed a whining noise whenever the accelerator is pressed and i am going above 10-15mph. At 70 it is much more of a whine than a vibration, at 20 it is much more of a vibration than a whine. The vibration is the worst when barely touching the gas, and the noise is loudest when accelerating.. As soon as i let off the gas the noise disappears. There is maybe a slight whine when coasting, but I cannot get the loud whine to replicate by downshifting manually.

In troubleshooting this noise I have drained both the rear differential and the transfer case, and both came out milky. The rear differential had many small metal flakes in it, and was leaking past the axle seals. It appeared that there was significant water in the rear diff, and only a little in the transfer case. Replacing this fluid has not changed the noise. It is my understanding that it would be unusual for a differential to begin making a noise so suddenly, but I cannot rule it out. While stuck the AES faulted out, causing me to lose traction control. With one wheel cocked in the air and no traction control I see rapid wear on the center diff as possible, but not likely.

I did drain a little transmission fluid and it did not appear to be contaminated.

While changing the transfer case fluid I noticed that my rear drive shaft center support is destroyed. I can move the drive shaft about 1" in any direction. I have ordered the replacement support, but I am not positive this is what is making the noise. I am having a hard time understanding why a failed support would cause noise under load, but be silent when coasting.

The noise does seem to be coming from the center of the vehicle, but this is probably enhanced by the fact that I have the rear carpet and seats out at the moment.

Any other thoughts on the source of the noise would be appreciated.

Thanks, Paul

 

The noises sound like diffs. The milkiness points to water getting in, as you indicated. I would think The driveshaft would make more of a 'clank' than a whine.

Honestly, if it were me I'd take it to a mechanic and let them put chassis ears on it.

 

I doubt the center support is causing the noise. It tend to cause a clunk when going into reverse. It can also cause a low thud that you actually feel more than here. The center support should have some play but not slop. Meaning you can grab the shaft at the support and move it but there should be resistance that makes it feel attached. If the support is shot, it will just flop around. Replacing the center support itself is not at all an easy task. I bought a new GKN shaft instead, was $350 shipped and now I know I have not only a new center support, but new CV and u-joints on it.

I am surprised you have water in the diffs, they have extended breather from the factory. The rear it up by the fuel door. The front is at the top of the radiator. The trans and transfer case are both behind the engine at about level with the top of the intake. I agree that the noise seems more like a diff issue. Metal shavings are never good.

 

Water in anything that drives is not good. It seems that maybe the diff and transfer breathers may not be connected properly so would think a rear diff is the problem

 

Well I can confirm it is not the drive shaft support, though it did need to be done.

I agree the water in the drivetrain is not good. I too am thinking rear diff. It was the only likely suspect that was submerged for a long period of time. I can also confirm that the input shaft bearing has significant play up and down. I'm thinking the chassis ears are a good idea to confirm.

As far as it being the breathers fault, I think the water just leaked around the axle seals. It was under water for about 2 hours and it is not really designed for that. The transfer case water probably came in through the breather connection on top, as I broke the push-to-connect taking it out last year. I made do with a 1/4" fitting but I never liked it.

What I do find weird is that it went from making no noise to making a lot of noise so quickly, but then again if it's not getting lubricated...

 

Well I bought a ChassisEar and I can confirm that the noise is coming from the rear differential. I am surprised that the diff went from making no noise to this loud whine and vibration so quickly. I will probably pull it apart when I replace it and let you know if I find anything interesting.

 

What did you find out? I just bought some chassis ears for driveline noises and having trouble diagnosing because they both sound equally ****.

 

I’ve used them for a couple things now and have been pleased with their function. What did you clip them to? Their biggest feature is all of the mics being the same, so if you compare them directly you should just be able to locate a noise by finding the loudest.

the diff issue was failed input shaft bearings

 

I took some video of the sounds: . Do any of those sound like yours??

I attached the leads to the bolts on either diff housing and for the sides of the diffs just clipped them to whatever surface was closest to the side bearings.

 

It been too long to remember the exact sound. I think I got a more metallic “ping” with the roar on the rear diff. Have you compared the two diffs with the transmission housing and transfer case housing?