Noisy in Drive

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 GMC Sierra, 2009 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2009 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Cause	Correction
DEFINITION: A noise heard during acceleration load.
Excessive pinion to ring gear backlash	Adjust the pinion to ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) or Backlash Adjustment (10.5/11.5 Inch Axle) or Backlash Adjustment (9.5 LD Axle) .
Worn pinion and ring gear	Replace the pinion and the ring gear. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5 LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles) or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) .
Worn pinion bearings	Replace the pinion bearings. Refer to Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle) or Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) .
Loose pinion bearings	Adjust the pinion bearings preload. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6, 9.5/9.5 LD and 11.5 Inch Axles) or Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) .
Excessive pinion end play	Adjust the pinion end play. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6, 9.5/9.5 LD and 11.5 Inch Axles) or Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) .
Worn differential bearings	Replace the differential bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .
Loose differential bearings	Adjust the differential bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) or Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5/11.5 Inch Axles) or Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.5LD Inch Axle) .
Excessive ring gear runout	Replace the ring gear. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5 LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles) 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 Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (8.6, 9.5 LD Axle) or Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (10.5 Inch Axle) or Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (11.5 Inch Axle) .
Wrong or poor grade oil	Drain and refill the system with the proper lubricant. Refer to Differential Oil Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) or Differential Oil Replacement (11.5 Inch Axle) or Differential Oil Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) or Differential Oil Replacement (9.5LD Inch Axle) .
Bent axle housing	Replace the axle housing. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Replacement (With Rear Drum) or Rear Axle Housing Replacement (With Rear Disc) .