New noise in 4wd....

[Patrol'n]

Thanks for your time helping with this one E.T. So if it's front pinion bearings, how hard are they to change? I suppose the only way to prove front pinion bearings as the fault is rip em out, check/replace and test?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rossco]

It happens with or without the hubs locked when the lever is in 4 high, but it didn't make the noise with the driveshaft removed and the lever in 4 high so couldn't be transfer case could it?

Sounds like the transfer is eliminated, have you tried it with the shaft taken out and hubs locked? This should narrow it down to the front end somewhere if it shows up. Most likely in the diff somewhere possibly pinion the vibrating shaft could have taken is toll.

Just out of interest the front shaft on my GQ vibrates pretty bad at Highway speeds, think it's pretty common for them to be out of balance. I've always just taken the hubs out but should get it sorted properly. Another thing for the list! !

[the evil twin]

Thanks for your time helping with this one E.T. So if it's front pinion bearings, how hard are they to change? I suppose the only way to prove front pinion bearings as the fault is rip em out, check/replace and test?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My pleasure... my prev 'progress' comment may not read how I meant it.
I meant it in a positive way IE your half way there so balancing teh shaft wasn't a bad thing.

Unfortunately I have only pulled a front diff down far enough to do a Locker... once... that was enough for me 'cause I don't enjoy mechanical stuff as much as I am old and feeble and decrepit and lazy and that diff was freakin' heavy.

Whereabouts in WA are you?... if you are NOR Perth I would say take it to Mike at XLR8 fabrications.
He has done, like, a gazillion diff rebuilds, lockers etc and is my goto guy for that sorta shyte

[dom14]

So you're not thinking to turbo your RB anymore?

Not sure. ideally I would like to keep the RB and a TD, but won't be financially practical.
I prefer the RB30 as it is for the reliability on long outback trips.
Turbo is more power, but not too sure about the reliability though.
I guess it's a matter of installing a good intercooler to prevent overheating and heat related failures of the turbo and engine.

[dom14]

Thanks for your time helping with this one E.T. So if it's front pinion bearings, how hard are they to change? I suppose the only way to prove front pinion bearings as the fault is rip em out, check/replace and test?

If the pinion bearings are shot then it's easy to find it. This was the video I did on mine(rear one) last year.
Front will be the same. Look/feel for a play similar to this and your pinion bearing is shot.

Pinion bearings on it's own aren't available afaik.
So, I had to buy the rebuild kit which comes with the pinion and carrier bearings and rebuild the diff.
You'll have to set the tooth pattern, backlash and pinion bearing preload.
You will need tools iike inch-pound torque gauge & dial indicator. I bought a dial indicator & used hanging digital scale to measure the pinion bearing preload. So, it's a fair bit of work. Tooth pattern can be set using acrylic ink or similar compound.
While I've been rebuilding the original diff, I bought a used one and fitted, so I can get around.

If you don't want the trouble of all the work, just buy a used one off ebay, wrecker, etc. Whether you pay a diff specialist or buy a used one, it will cost around the same. Perhaps bit cheaper for the front diff, 'cos it's usually an open diff, not an LSD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljzutTaygO4

[the evil twin]

Turbo on the RB30 is a pretty big job... thats prob why so many people do a Skyline transplant instead
The boys on the Skyline and VL Crappadore sites are all over the process for the 30's so some good reading there.

[Patrol'n]

Not sure. ideally I would like to keep the RB and a TD, but won't be financially practical.
I prefer the RB30 as it is for the reliability on long outback trips.
Turbo is more power, but not too sure about the reliability though.
I guess it's a matter of installing a good intercooler to prevent overheating and heat related failures of the turbo and engine.

Yeah that's definitely where I think I'm at right now too, it just starts every time, runs smoothly etc, hasn't failed to do any off-road challenge yet I've tried yet, just momentum and tire pressure choice is more critical than say my mates turbo diesel GU, he can just use more right foot most of the time... Only time I really feel the urge for more power is up steep hills at highway speeds, come on down third gear and 5500rpm :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Patrol'n]

My pleasure... my prev 'progress' comment may not read how I meant it.
I meant it in a positive way IE your half way there so balancing teh shaft wasn't a bad thing.

Unfortunately I have only pulled a front diff down far enough to do a Locker... once... that was enough for me 'cause I don't enjoy mechanical stuff as much as I am old and feeble and decrepit and lazy and that diff was freakin' heavy.

Whereabouts in WA are you?... if you are NOR Perth I would say take it to Mike at XLR8 fabrications.
He has done, like, a gazillion diff rebuilds, lockers etc and is my goto guy for that sorta shyte

I am NOR so it doesn't look like XLR8 is too far away, I may have to get a quote, I just really want to avoid the whole fixing stuff that isn't the problem, ever since I bought my first car, that is always the thing that has given me the irits, I don't mind fixing stuff that isn't working properly, that's part of vehicle ownership, and maintenance is fine, but if I had to pick one thing that most annoyed me about cars, it's chasing strange issues that don't seem to want to be fixed!

If it needs pulling apart I think i I'll have to price the repair vs a locker


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Patrol'n]

Sounds like the transfer is eliminated, have you tried it with the shaft taken out and hubs locked? This should narrow it down to the front end somewhere if it shows up. Most likely in the diff somewhere possibly pinion the vibrating shaft could have taken is toll.

Just out of interest the front shaft on my GQ vibrates pretty bad at Highway speeds, think it's pretty common for them to be out of balance. I've always just taken the hubs out but should get it sorted properly. Another thing for the list! !

Yep it did make the noise with the shaft out and hubs locked, it's sounding more like the pinion, if that means any work on the centre that might be an excuse for a front locker :-)

Ironically I'm pretty fussy about the mechanicals of my vehicles, but the repaired fiberglass front and rear guards, pin-striping and dirt doesn't bother me at all :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[the evil twin]

He's in Bayswater http://www.xlr8fabrications.com/

Awesome fabricator but it is his Patrol knowledge that can really help a bloke out