Noisy in Drive
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Noisy in Drive
| Checks |
Action |
| Excessive pinion to ring gear backlash |
Adjust the pinion to ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) or Backlash Adjustment (9.75 Inch Axle) . |
| Worn pinion and ring gear |
Replace the pinion and the ring gear. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles) , Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle) or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Worn pinion bearings |
Replace the pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axles) , Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle) or Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Loose pinion bearings |
Adjust the pinion bearings preload. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles) , Pinion Depth Adjustment (9.75 Inch Axle) or Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Excessive pinion end play |
Adjust the pinion end play. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles) , Pinion Depth Adjustment (9.75 Inch Axle) or Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Worn differential bearings |
Replace the differential bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle) or Differential Side Bearings Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle) . |
| Loose differential bearings |
Adjust the differential bearing preload. Refer to Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) , Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.5 Inch Axle) , Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.75 Inch Axle) or Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles) . |
| Excessive ring gear runout |
Replace the ring gear. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles) , Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle) or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Low oil level |
Fill the fluid level to specifications with the proper lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Level Inspection - Rear Drive Axle (8.6 Inch Axle) , Lubricant Level Inspection - Rear Drive Axle (9.5, 10.5 Inch Axle) , Lubricant Level Inspection - Rear Drive Axle (9.75 Inch Axle) or Lubricant Level Inspection - Rear Drive Axle (11.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Wrong or poor grade oil |
Drain and refill the system with the proper lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Replacement - Rear Drive Axle (8.6 Inch Axle) , Lubricant Replacement - Rear Drive Axle (9.75 Inch Axle) or Lubricant Replacement - Rear Drive Axle (9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 Inch Axles) . |
| Bent axle housing |
Replace the axle housing. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Replacement . |