| DEFINITION: A noise heard in the rear axle during all driving conditions. This noise may increase or decrease in volume based on different driving maneuvers and speeds. |
| Flat spot on the pinion or the ring gear teeth |
Replace the pinion and the ring gear. Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Flat spot on the pinion bearing |
Replace the bearing. Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Worn pinion splines |
Replace the pinion. Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Low oil level |
Fill the fluid level to specifications with the proper lubricant. Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Wrong or poor grade oil |
Drain and refill the system with the proper lubricant. Differential Oil Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Differential Oil Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Excessive pinion to ring gear backlash |
Adjust the pinion to ring gear backlash. Backlash Adjustment (9.5 Inch Axle) , or Backlash Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) |
| Loose pinion bearings |
Adjust the pinion bearings preload. Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Pinion Depth Adjustment (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Excessive pinion end play |
Adjust the pinion end play. Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Pinion Depth Adjustment (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Incorrect differential bearing preload |
Adjust the differential bearing preload. Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.5 Inch Axle) , or Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) |
| Incorrect backlash |
Adjust the pinion and ring gear backlash. Backlash Adjustment (9.5 Inch Axle) , or Backlash Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) |
| Worn pinion bearings |
Replace the pinion bearings. Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Worn differential bearings |
Replace the differential bearings. Differential Bearing Replacement |
| Worn pinion and ring gear |
Replace the pinion and ring gear. Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Excessive ring gear runout |
Replace the ring gear. Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle) |
| Bent axle housing |
Replace the axle housing. Rear Axle Housing Replacement |
| Worn axle shaft dowel holes |
Replace the axle shaft. Rear Axle Shaft Replacement , Rear Axle Shaft and Gasket Replacement |
| Worn hub studs |
Replace the wheel studs. Wheel Stud Replacement (Single Rear Wheel)
, or Wheel Stud Replacement (Dual Rear Wheels) |
| Bent axle shaft |
Replace the axle shaft. Rear Axle Shaft Replacement , Rear Axle Shaft and Gasket Replacement |