English axle noise

[chinkamon]

Hey everyone, when road testing the car the other day I noticed if I touch 60mph there's a loud wining whirring noise coming from the back axle? Any thoughts what it could be? I assume it shouldn't be that noisy normally? Or is it just a barely used at 60mph 55 year old axle lol

[Rally Pack 2000]

Its punishment for flogging it hard for your 0-60 quiz! LOL See I told you those go faster stripes would get the better of you in the end!

Does it sound like its more in the centre or either side from a wheel bearing? (I know its hard to tell sometimes)

[chinkamon]

Hahaha it made the noise wen I bought it but put it down to being sat for 4 years without use, I'm gonna guess an say centre but doesn't sound like when the wheel bearing went in my van, that sounded like a aeroplane taking off lol

[notenoughtime]

If it’s that bad prob diff 

jack it up and check for play on propshaft 

[chinkamon]

I guess leaving it is a bad idea? 

[caprimk1v4]

English axles have always been prone to noise, I have had Fords back in the 70,s that had a whine in once passed 40/45mph, and they still made the same whine 100K after that, it just needs to be located more and find out if its half shaft or diff noise.

 

As long as it is not rumbling and groaning, I tend to leave alone, it can open a tin of worms, unless your going to pull the half shafts and fit original "Timken" bearings with a new collar, some of these cheap half shaft bearing leak diff oil past the inferior bearing seal and ruin your brake shoes, one of my MK2 Escorts with 32k on has a very slight whine over 55mph but it has done no mileage in the last 10 years so I will leave it alone, is it making a noise under load, or just on the over run !!??, eliminate the prop for noise, check oil level in the rear diff, even change it for some nice new fresh EP90, that sometimes can make a good difference, but is a pain to change properly, as you really need to pull the half shafts and release the diff from the case, I like to remove it so I can mop out all the old oil and fit a fresh gasket and put it all back together with good quality mineral EP90.

 

If it does need diff bearings (and a full set up), Andy from this web site is a master on English & Atlas, done 2 for me, as good as new and very reasonable prices.

A really bad bearing in the diff or a failed bearing on a halfshaft would be noisy all the time, check all mountings as well, 60mph is what RPM in what gear in your car, can you get the same noise in a lower gear at different revs etc-etc.

Al. 

[chinkamon]

Hi Al. 

I replaced the oil with comma not to long ago sucked all the old out but didn't go as far as u with removing half shafts etc, 

Excellent I'll bear Andy in mind if I decide to go that route thanks. 

We checked the mounts etc they all seem tidy, it's only noisy 60mph+ in other gears at lower speeds it's just normal gearbox noise, so definitely axle rotation at speed, if I knock it out of gear an Coast downhill at 60 it's quieter an if I ease off the accelerator pedal it stops its only when being asked to maintain 60 or accelerating past 60, would that be diff? 

[luckyjim]

I think the fact that its quieter coasting suggests diff because the cwp isnt under load then.Although in my experience diff related problems are usually more of a deep rumble.i would just use it as is and only worry about it if it gets bad.maybe just cruise at 59.8 mph ? haha

[chinkamon]

As the speedo likes to move about a bit around 60 I'll aim for 55 to be sure haha

[caprimk1v4]

Hi fella,

 

Yep, it does sound like diff issue, but as said, they tend to rumble rather than whine.

They are a sensitive component, not only can noise come from bearings (roller or ball) that have worn, but as bearings wear, it will allow slight movement of other parts, like the pinion mesh into the crown wheel, this itself then creates noise because the mesh of the teeth are not at optimum contact depth/position.

I would at this point in time leave as is, and monitor the sound as and when you use it, the chances are, it will not change in noise level for some considerable time, if ever, as I have said, I have had whining diffs over the years, and have added thousands of miles on top of them  with no increase in noise.

On the other hand, if the noise level/sound does/did change by a good amount, I would then factor in a diff overhaul with new bearings in the diff & halfshafts and a full diff set up ( professional job), done on it, allow best part of £350.00 for it depending on what it needs & postage to/from Andy at Arrow Eng, but believe me Andy is a TOP GUY, and it will be right and silent when it came back.

 

Regards.

 

Al.

[colr6]

I can recommend Andy, he’s very good at what he does extremely helpful and doesn’t rip you off.

[chinkamon]

Cheers guys that's great advice! 👍

[deltamal]

Whereabouts is Andy based?

[colr6]

48 minutes ago, deltamal said:

Whereabouts is Andy based?

Chesterfield 

[deltamal]

9 minutes ago, colr6 said:

Chesterfield 

Hmm, thats around a 7 hour run from Plymouth, I'll keep looking!

[colr6]

4 minutes ago, deltamal said:

Hmm, thats around a 7 hour run from Plymouth, I'll keep looking!

Have you looked at using a courier? Think you may be surprised on how cheap some larger things can be moved around the country.

[Vista]

1 hour ago, deltamal said:

Whereabouts is Andy based?

What is it you are looking for Malcolm?

[chinkamon]

1 hour ago, deltamal said:

Hmm, thats around a 7 hour run from Plymouth, I'll keep looking!

Any axle noise problems I can help now, I've had loads of information passed my way 😂

[deltamal]

11 hours ago, Vista said:

What is it you are looking for Malcolm?

Someone who can change and set up an Atlas diff not too far from Plymouth, I want to change mine from 3.44 to 3.09 as this would suit my car use better, also the seals need replacing, I tried the guy whos no. you gave me but no answer, dont want to pester!

[Vista]

What about the guys who looked at it for you previously? Or DJ transmissions? 

2 hours ago, deltamal said:

Someone who can change and set up an Atlas diff not too far from Plymouth, I want to change mine from 3.44 to 3.09 as this would suit my car use better, also the seals need replacing, I tried the guy whos no. you gave me but no answer, dont want to pester!

 

[caprimk1v4]

Hi Deltamal,

 

Have you already got yourself a 3.09/1 CWP & pinion !!??, just I have a matched pair here for £90.00 + post if you ever do need one, surplus to my needs as I have gone 3.22/1 on my Atlas.

 

Regards Al.

[Vista]

54 minutes ago, caprimk1v4 said:

Hi Deltamal,

 

Have you already got yourself a 3.09/1 CWP & pinion !!??, just I have a matched pair here for £90.00 + post if you ever do need one, surplus to my needs as I have gone 3.22/1 on my Atlas.

 

Regards Al.

I also went 3.22 and can recommend it.

[deltamal]

1 hour ago, Vista said:

I also went 3.22 and can recommend it.

Yes I've got the cwp set, bought one last September, thank's for the thought though!