S14 VLSD Making Whining / Grinding Noise After Install. Any Ideas? (Video inside)

[keeeban]

816NXPNN3sg
(You can hear the grinding parts more clearly if you turn the volume up on the parts where I slow down in neutral)


So I just got my VLSD along with the ABS driveshaft swapped into my S14 the other day. (Diff cover cleaned and resealed & added fresh fluid). Driving felt fine after the swap was finished, but I did hear a really, really faint whine or humming coming from what seemed like the rear passenger side when off the gas. I thought nothing of it at first, maybe it was just the diff breaking in with new fluid and all.

The whining sounds only occur when I let off the gas. If I let off the gas while in gear, the sound is louder than when I let off the gas and put it in neutral. It seemed like the more I drove the car, the louder the whine/humming got, and when slowing to a stop, it feels and sounds like there's grinding or crunching or whatever.

There aren't any weird sounds when I'm on the gas (at least I hope so), only when I let go of the gas while driving and slowing to a stop.

Now I'm 100% sure the more I drive it the worse it gets.

Most likely the diff is bad? Need new wheel bearings? Any ideas?

Thanks

[curbhuggerrps13]

How was the gears when u had the cover off?

[keeeban]

The guy I bought it from had the cover off before I bought it and said the gears were fine and it was good to go with no problems.

I didn't get a good look myself, but it seemed fine. I guess not since this is happening

[satek]

backlash not set correctly?

[conrad_s13.5]

im sure this is a no brain'er,...but, figured id still throw this out there.....lol

what fluids did you use,...for your vlsd?

[datsunnazi]

im sure this is a no brain'er,...but, figured id still throw this out there.....lol

what fluids did you use,...for your vlsd?

the viscous coupler is a sealed unit. there is no special fluid that is servicable in a Nissan VLSD. you would use regular differential fluid i.e. 75W-90 or the like.

[slider2828]

Here is 2 things you can try just to make sure its not tranny whine.... Cruizing down the street.

Try to simulate the sound but take the car out of gear..... does it make a sound?

Try to do it again out of gear, with the clutch pressed in and the clutch released?

Is the sound still there? If so its the diff....

If its a diff problem, you might need to replace the side bearings. God hopes you don't have to replace the nose bearings....

Did you place the shims in the right order? That is super important too.....

You in the BA so if you have any further problems, take it to Rear End Specialities in Santa Clara. They can help

[keeeban]

backlash not set correctly?
Yeah I was thinking too much backlash was set because of the whine and the grinding

im sure this is a no brain'er,...but, figured id still throw this out there.....lol

what fluids did you use,...for your vlsd?

Answer below.

the viscous coupler is a sealed unit. there is no special fluid that is servicable in a Nissan VLSD. you would use regular differential fluid i.e. 75W-90 or the like.

Yup, used mobil1 75w-90

Here is 2 things you can try just to make sure its not tranny whine.... Cruizing down the street.

Try to simulate the sound but take the car out of gear..... does it make a sound?

Try to do it again out of gear, with the clutch pressed in and the clutch released?

Is the sound still there? If so its the diff....

If its a diff problem, you might need to replace the side bearings. God hopes you don't have to replace the nose bearings....

Did you place the shims in the right order? That is super important too.....

You in the BA so if you have any further problems, take it to Rear End Specialities in Santa Clara. They can help

I'm positive it's the diff because my car had no problems whatsoever before the install when I had my open diff. My car wasn't making any noise before, so I pray it's not the bearings

And thanks for the tip, I'll head over to Rear End Specialties in Santa Clara as soon as I can.

[keeeban]

Just got back from Rearend Specialists. Had the mechanic check it out and go for a drive to see what was wrong.

He said the ring and pinion are bad, which is causing the grinding upon coming to a stop and the whining when letting off the gas. We're just gonna swap the lsd into my open pumpkin and that should fix it.

Thanks for the help guys

[curbhuggerrps13]

yea just make sure you always get a good look at the gears and better if you get to test it before they pull it. as also stated above make sure the shims are in the correct order...bigger con vexed rings go in first the plop in the next size. the driver side takes 2 rings and the passenger uses 3 with the thinnest smallest one on the last.

[keeeban]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind

[slider2828]

Just got back from Rearend Specialists. Had the mechanic check it out and go for a drive to see what was wrong.

He said the ring and pinion are bad, which is causing the grinding upon coming to a stop and the whining when letting off the gas. We're just gonna swap the lsd into my open pumpkin and that should fix it.

Thanks for the help guys

Hey I have a good vlsd.... Do you want it? Low mileage... maybe $150? Rear End took it out for me hahaha.....

[keeeban]

How many miles? 6bolt axles and 2 bolt cover to bolt up to an S14? If so, maybe!

[fliprayzin240sx]

I was gonna say the ring gear too...my 2 way got the same whine, does it alot on higher gear and I lift off the throttle.

[keeeban]

How long have you had the whine?

It's supposed to mess up the axles eventually.. so I'm trying not to drive a lot until I get it fixed