10-Bolt - Gear Whine on Deceleration?

[The Fixer]

Hey all,
I had the Monte out today (felt good to be back in the saddle!!) and noticed some whiny noise coming from the rear. It happens on deceleration from about 40mph down to 35mph, and then quiets down. I'm pretty sure it only happens when the car is in gear; if I stab the clutch, the noise goes away. Think it's anything to be concerned about? It's a stock 10-bolt with factory 3.73s, Powertrax locker, T/A diff. cover, and 205K miles.

Thanks for any opinions!

[camaroAL]

sounds like u getting ready to replace the ring and pinion

[BonzoHansen]

...go 8.5 hunting...

[alamantia]

tighten the pinion nut about 10-15 degrees and try it again

[The Fixer]

sounds like u getting ready to replace the ring and pinion

Well, that's an expense I wasn't planning this year...need to replace the clutch as well, so I hope it'll last a while.

...go 8.5 hunting...

Maybe, but they're crazy expensive. I should price out having my original rear rebuilt vs. buying a used 8.5 or maybe a QuickPerformance bolt-in 9". $$ is a little scarce since we're building an addition on our house and we've still gotta pay for the kitchen.

tighten the pinion nut about 10-15 degrees and try it again

Hmm, I think I'll give this a shot. The pinion seal is leaking like crazy now anyway, so it's cheap enough to change and see if it kills two birds with one stone (messy garage and whiny rear). Hopefully I can swap it out in the next week or two and report back.

[BonzoHansen]

Just look for a housing an put it aside until you have the $$ to build it. that is cheaper than buying a good used rear then blowing it up. :)

[GP99GT]

couldnt it also be the throwout bearing? or are you absolutely sure its coming from the rear?

[Ian]

how bad is the pinion seal leaking? maybe its just low on fluid.

[The Fixer]

Just look for a housing an put it aside until you have the $$ to build it. that is cheaper than buying a good used rear then blowing it up. :)

Good point sir! Of course, my 10-bolt so far has 200K on it and counting, and outside of this bizarre whine that started recently has no signs of giving up the ghost. It'll probably last a good while, I have those crappy Continental 245/45 17s tires that go up in smoke instead of hooking up. :)

couldnt it also be the throwout bearing? or are you absolutely sure its coming from the rear?

My trained ear says it's definitely from the rear. The car is pretty quiet inside, so it's not too bad to hear which direction the noise is coming from. I never listen to the radio, and the exhaust exits out the sides behind the rear tires, so it doesn't drone inside the car.

how bad is the pinion seal leaking? maybe its just low on fluid.

Definitely possible. There's a good-sized puddle under the rear of the car in the garage. There's also a huge puddle of ATF, and another of engine oil. The only thing it doesn't leak is antifreeze!

[69BirdX]

mine was whinein pretty bad. pullled it apart and it was only the pinion bearing.

[1984camaroz28]

sounds like u getting ready to replace the ring and pinion

most likely not prob a pinion bearing. with 200k on it.

[BonzoHansen]

Let's keep it constructive and on topic please.