Will an axle ratio change whine?

[Skant]

I've been thinking of buying 4.10 gears for my 6 speed vette. But after reading some forum comments, I'm concerned over the likelihood that they will whine.

After having troubles with one of the 3.73 axles whining after the change on a 4x4 K-5 Blazer (one axle was quiet, and the other whined)... I really don't want to have that problem with my vette.

The shop that did that work turned out to be lousy on several fronts, so I assumed the whining in one axle was just another thing they screwed up. But after reading comments from some vette folks that their axles whined after changing their ratios... I'm wondering what the deal is.

I don't think I want to change my axle ratio if it's likely to whine. I mean... the axle whining in the Blazer was relatively quiet compared to the loud flowmaster mufflers, truck tires, and all... but the whine was an _annoying_ noise, and therefore stood out anyway.

Experiences? Will 4.10 gears whine? Are there shops that will guarantee a quiet axle? The one where I had my Blazer done just told me to screw myself when I asked them about the whining. But then, they also screwed up my brakes. Bad shop.

I'm also curious about the typical cost of the operation. Someone had said about $500, but I can't imagine it being that cheap. The bad shop charged me $800 per axle.. and a K-5 Blazer is easier to work on, I think.

- Skant

 

[jsinga]

a gearset won't whine if it's set up properly. If it's a used ring and pinion, then there's a greater chance of it whining. I've put a used 3.73 in a chevy 12 bolt and it didn't whine.
are you sure you really need a 4.10? what is the first gear ratio of a six speed? all kind of drag cars run 5.13's and stuff but they have 2.20 or 2.56 first gear with a real tall 28 inch or better tire plus they have motors that make power a 8 grand.

JS

 

[tntcorvette]

gears that are installed correctly will not wine. With that said, there is something about the dana 44 and installing a 4.10/4.09 gear. Something about the ring/pinion size in relation to a sleve or such.

Sorry for the half ass explanation but talk to an EXPERIENCED gear installer and they will tell you about this in more detail. If they do not, then walk away! Ask some of the ZR1 guys about 4.10/4.09 gear swap.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

If you are going to the 4.10.. Go to a Dodge dealer and order the Super Dana 44 4.10 gears (they are used in the Viper) and have some one install them for you. They will only need to grind a little off of the cover (I think) for an install, also since they are OEM Dana gears, There is less chance of whine

 

[jenavet]

if you read skants post it says one axle whined and the other did not........sounds to me like one of the axle bearings might have been bad or damaged when removing the axles for the gear change....but for 1 axle to whine and the other not to dosent sound like it has anything to do with a gear change,maybe just some unrelated consequential damage.my suggestion would be to contact some of the local drag racers/circle track racers from your area and see who they have set up their rear ends. second suggestion would be let the shop who performs the swap supply the gear set. that way if there is a problem they cant state that the gears you supplied are defective therefore washing their hands of any warranty work.......sure it might cost a little more for them to supply the set[although not always] but at least you know if there is a problem that their excuses to not help you may be lowered/eliminated.
jenna

 

[cntrhub]

I'd have to agree with jenavet. If you throttle up, or lift, there should be a "whine" in either direction..... if... you are describing the ring & pinion. This is usually the ring and pinion, either wearing out, or riding lose. If they don't set-up the rear end correctly, you'll get this ringing sound. The pinion is not centered to the ring. Think of it as licking your finger, and then circling a wine glass. You'll get that "ring" sound if done correctly. Same theroy with the ring & pinion installation. If it rides too high, ooops, there goes the harmonics on the ring. So, getting back to jenavet's post, I have to agree that it just might be a bearing? Skant, I didn't hear you say anything about, "if i let off the gas," or, "if I sustain throttle"....nothing like this is mentioned. If the car is drivable, lift on the throttle and see if the "whine" goes away? Throttle up. Does the "whine" increase in noise and pitch? Will it go away if you lift? Now for the bearing. A good way tell if you have a bearing problem, is to steer the car under a load. Doing this, pushes the bearing in or out of the bearing's cone. If doing this, and the noise went away for just a second, it's most likely the bearing.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

if you read skants post it says one axle whined and the other did not
jenna

OOOPS!!!

I missed that part.. I agree probably a bearing, but for typical gear whine, if set up properly they should not

Jeff