

Thankfully, vibration is one of the first signs that something is wrong with the differential. Additionally, if there is a differential fluid leak, the vibrations will become progressively more noticeable. As you step on the accelerator, the vibrations will become worse. Once the differential or universal joints become worn out, you will begin to feel some vibration coming from the driveshaft. You don’t want to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. Whether the cause of the poor handling is the differential or not, it should always be checked out. If it is failing, it is going to change the cornering ability and create an unstable drive. Poor HandlingĪ well-functioning differential ensures that your vehicle corners the way it was intended. There could also be some vibration that operates in conjunction with the sound. Depending on what type of tires you have, the noise will sound like chirping or rapid squealing. This sound indicates that your tires are slipping and gripping intermittently. This premature tire wear is common when the differential is going bad.Ī locked differential causes what is known as tire scrubbing. If both sides of your tires have to travel at the same speed while cornering, your car’s inner tires will wear out sooner because they are rotating faster than needed. As the components lose valuable lubrication, you are going to hear whining noises coming from the differential location. It could also mean that the differential is leaking fluid, which will lead to premature wear. In many cases, it simply means that the differential components are not properly lubricated. The most common symptom associated with a defective differential is a whining sound. Here is a more detailed list of the signs of a bad or failing differential to look for: 1. It can also result in poor handling, vibrations, or gear grinding in rare cases. You may also notice excessive tire wear if you visually inspect your tires. The most common symptom of a bad front or rear differential is a whining noise. The chart below shows various differential covers, 3rd Members and housings.Does changing differential fluid make a difference? Symptoms Of A Bad Front or Rear Differential They can also be identified by whether the center section is an integral or dropout design. If the ID tag or stamp is missing or unreadable, differentials can be identified by the number of cover bolts, the distinctive shape of the cover, the number of ring gear bolts, and ring gear diameter. Whenever possible, reference the tag numbers when ordering parts for your Differential. Information about Differentials in GM vehicles can usually be obtained by looking at the RPO or “Regular Production Option” codes contained in the Service Parts Identification tag in the glovebox. Our differential experts are available from 8am to 5pm PST Monday thru Friday.ĭana Spicer and Ford Differentials can be identified most accurately by the tag number or axle tube stamp. Need help with your differential identification? Call Sierra Gear & Axle at (800)792-2714. The first and most important step in any differential repair or ratio change is accurate differential identification!Ĭareful identification of the differential you are working on will make sure you get the right parts for the job the first time.
