| 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. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5LD Inch Axles) . |
| Flat spot on the pinion bearing |
Replace the bearing. Refer to Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) , Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Worn pinion splines |
Replace the pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5LD Inch Axles) . |
| 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) , Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Wrong or poor grade oil |
Drain and refill the system with the proper lubricant. Refer to Differential Oil Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) , Differential Oil Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , Differential Oil Replacement (9.5LD Inch Axle) . |
| Excessive pinion to ring gear backlash |
Adjust the pinion to ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , Backlash Adjustment (9.5 LD Axle) , Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) . |
| Loose pinion bearings |
Adjust the pinion bearings preload. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (9.5LD Inch Axle) , Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) . |
| Excessive pinion end play |
Adjust the pinion end play. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (9.5LD Inch Axle) , Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) . |
| Incorrect differential bearing preload |
Adjust the differential bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) , Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.5LD Inch Axle) , Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Incorrect backlash |
Adjust the pinion and ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , Backlash Adjustment (9.5 LD Axle) , Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) . |
| Worn pinion bearings |
Replace the pinion bearings. Refer to Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) , Differential Drive Pinion Gear Bearing Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) . |
| Worn differential bearings |
Replace the differential bearings. Refer to Differential Bearing Replacement . |
| Worn pinion and ring gear |
Replace the pinion and ring gear. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5LD Inch Axles) . |
| Excessive ring gear runout |
Replace the ring gear. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5LD Inch Axles) . |
| Bent axle housing |
Replace the axle housing. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Replacement (Hybrid) , Rear Axle Housing Replacement (Under 3500 GVW with Drums) . |
| Worn axle shaft dowel holes |
Replace the axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement , or to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement . |
| Worn hub studs |
Replace the wheel studs. Refer to Wheel Stud Replacement
. |
| Bent axle shaft |
Replace the axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement , or Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement . |