Transmission/diff whine

[RBG21]

The 80 I've bought has a bit of transmission whine when you go above about 40 MPH but only under acceleration, it disappears as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, it sounds more like it's from the front or underneath than the back so I'm guessing it's got to be coming from the front diff or transfer box?, has anyone else had similar happen on theirs?, I'm going to change the diff and transfer box oils first and see if that quietens it down.
I'm not getting any judder or transmission shunting etc, everything seems like it's working alright it's just a bit noisy.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Manual or auto?

 

[RBG21]

It’s an auto, auto box itself feels really smooth and changes gears well.

Could probably do with taking it to a garage that knows cruisers well.

 

[Jake the Peg]

Probably the front diff. Have a twist on the front prop shaft and see how much free play there is. It’s worth draining the oil into a clean container and seeing what’s in it, swill a magnet through and see if there’s much metal in the oil. A good tip as well is the make sure you can open the fill before draining it, and check the level before draining. The oil shouldn’t be too black when you drain it out. Are your swivels on both sides dry? If they are quite wet it could indicate the inner halfshaft seals are leaking, which will let the diff oil leak out, and your level will be low. This can cause excessive wear on your crownwheel / pinion / bearings

 

[Dave2000]

As the noise is only under acceleration you could lock the centre differential and remove the front propshaft, this would give you confirmation as to where the noise is coming from, your drive now only coming from the rear wheels.

Regards

Dave

 

[RBG21]

Well, think I’ve unfortunately located the issue , this is the first car I’ve had with a solid front axle so done some reading thanks to Jakes helpful post last night and found this:

Just on my way to get some diff oil to top up with in my trusty Civic.

How much of a pig of a job is this likely to be?, I’m not too confident about DIY ing it from what I’ve read so far, got a few friends who I might be able to ask to help out, if not probably could use some garage recommendations in the SE who know their way around an 80!.

 

[Dave2000]

That could be the issue however, the grease can (and will) leak from there over time as the wiper seals wear, there could be contamination from the inner axle seal as well though, so drain the diff oil as well, it should be a dirty but golden colour, if it is black then CV grease is getting passed the seal, also check the breather is clear as well, if not this will pressurise the axle as the oil gets hot.

Regards

Dave

 

[RBG21]

Just changed the front diff oil, this is what came out:

Assume I’ve got a nasty bill coming my way now!, I’m just about to drive around the block and see if the front diff has quietened down with an oil change.

Edit to add, diff still whiny after changing oil.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

It looks like oil contaminated with CV grease. This is usually caused by a blocked breather causing the CV grease to be drawn past the inner oil seal as the axle cools down after use. I don't know exactly what effect the CV grease does to the hypoid oil but its known that it doesn't do it any good.
Whilst it doesn't look pretty there doesn't appear to be a major oil leak at either end so the inner axle seals must still be reasonable, I've seen them where there is oil in drips on the floor.
Welcome to the world of 80 ownership. Just look at the upside, when its been done properly it won't probably need looking at again in your ownership.

Where in the country are you?

 

[RBG21]

Yeah it’s a bit annoying but it is what it is and needs sorting.

I’m based in Surrey so anywhere here or north hants or Sussex would be ok.

Is it still drivable for now?.

 

[Jake the Peg]

That’s not so bad, but would benefit from a seal (& your as well to do the bearings) rebuild. It’s not a bad job to do at all, albeit a bit dirty, look on YouTube you will see some videos of what your doing!
To do anything to the diff you will have to strip it all down to remove the half shafts. You could strip it all down yourself and have an engineering shop swap the bearings / rebuild the diff and then build it up your self.
Look at roughtrax / Milner for the seal and bearing kits, but only use genuine half shaft seals. It’s also worth using skf speedi sleeves on your halfshafts where these seals run.
The cheaper option would be to turn up the radio and keep an eye on your axle oil level

 

[Jake the Peg]

Yes you can still drive it, and you don’t have to worry it’s a urgent repair, it will likely still be the same in 10k miles!
Go to the garage and give it a power wash and see how much it develops

 

[Shayne]

Must get around to changing my diff oils and i will be putting a splash of transmission leak stop in before the oil just because it can't do any harm .

 

[Higgy]

Iv just done a Knuckle strip down job on mine, Its a pretty straight forward job, Just sign up to RoughTrax and get what you need, It will mean a complete Gasket kit Steering Knuckle wiper seal kit, Inner axle seal x2, Cv grease Bearing Grease, Steering Knuckle bearings ( i can bet one or two are Knackered... Dont be phased by the endless list.. It really is an easy job....... But be prepared for new wheel bearings. AND more ... But even after doing that it doesn't cure knackered diffs if its gone that Far..... where exactly are you......This is what iv just done and what the steering Knuckle should look like
Well what started out as just a broken lower steering Knuckle stud. Turned into a Full front axle strip out, New steering Knuckle bearings, seals, axle seals, Gaskets, Knuckle wiper seals.... Jesus the list goes on,.... About £200 worth in the end ( price of a stud £3)... anyway a nice enjoyable job in the end : While i was at it Treated the old Gal to some new Rear pads and a fuel filter....

Attachments​

• 
  DSCF0425.JPG
  354.9 KB · Views: 12
• 
  DSCF0424.JPG
  482.2 KB · Views: 10
• 
  DSCF0423.JPG
  439.2 KB · Views: 11
• 
  DSCF0422.JPG
  346.1 KB · Views: 12
• 

 

[Shayne]

Out of stock Complete Double Front Hub & Swivel Overhaul Kit - 80 Series - [Leaving Land Cruiser Club]

 

[RBG21]

I’ve just seen that the kit is out of stock too, they have a diff bearing rebuild kit available, would it be worth getting that once this has come back in stock?, or I can get another diff from a breakers but it’s about double the money of the rebuild kit.

 

[Higgy]

must be a popular job Shayne

 

[Higgy]

Check RoughTrax stock to see if you can get the parts Individually... Wiper seal Kit, Then buy the steering Bearings, Then a couple of Inner axle seals, Karsons Double Front Swivel Hub Seal & Gasket Kit - [Leaving Land Cruiser Club].. Another diff is an expensive option, You will still have to do the job of wiper seals bearings etc etc, The same job as you planning to do on the existing axle.... Where are you in Surrey

 

[Shayne]

Breakers diff might be just days away from becoming as noisy as yours .

 

[Shayne]

I just googled "transmission specialist" and google maps came up with 9 suggestions within 10 miles of me setting up the diff correctly with new parts should be a doddle for them .