Conditions

Noise Conditions
- Gear noise is typically a howling or whining due to gear damage or incorrect bearing preload. It can occur at various speeds and driving conditions, or it can be continuous.
- Chuckle is a particular rattling noise that sounds like a stick against the spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel. It occurs while decelerating from 64 km/h (40 mph) and can usually be heard all the way to a stop. The frequency varies with vehicle speed.
- Knock is very similar to chuckle, though it may be louder and occurs on acceleration or deceleration. The teardown will disclose what has to be corrected.

Check and rule out tires, exhaust and trim items before disassembling the transmission to diagnose and correct gear noise.

The noises described under Road Test usually have specific causes that can be diagnosed by observation as the unit is disassembled. The initial clues are the type of noise heard on the road test and the driving conditions.

Vibration Conditions


NOTE: New constant velocity (CV) joints should not be installed unless disassembly and inspection revealed unusual wear.


Clicking, popping or grinding noises may be caused by the following:
- cut or damaged axleshaft joint boots resulting in inadequate or contaminated lube in the outboard or inboard CV joint bearing housings
- loose axleshaft joint boot clamps
- another component contacting the axleshaft
- worn, damaged or incorrectly installed wheel bearing, suspension or brake component

Vibration at highway speeds may be caused by the following:
- out-of-balance front or rear wheels
- out-of-round tires
- driveline imbalance
- driveline run-out (alignment)


NOTE: Axleshafts are not balanced and do not contribute to rotational vibration disturbances. Shudder or vibration during acceleration may be caused by the following:


- excessively worn or damaged outboard or inboard CV joint shaft pilot bearing housing
- excessively high CV joint operating angles caused by incorrect ride height. Check ride height, verify correct spring rate and check items under Inoperative Conditions

Leakage Conditions
1. Inspect the CV joint boots for evidence of cracks, tears or splits.
2. Inspect the underbody for any indication of grease splatter in the vicinity of the rear wheel axleshaft joint boot, outboard and inboard CV joint pilot bearing housing locations, which is an indication of rear wheel axleshaft joint boot or rear wheel axleshaft joint boot damp damage.
3. Inspect the inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing seal for leakage at the inboard CV joint pilot bearing housing.

Inoperative Conditions
If a CV joint or axleshaft pull-out occurs, check the following:
- suspension components for correct location, damage or wear
- bushings for wear
- subframe for damage
- bent or worn components:

stabilizer bar link
left-hand rear suspension lower arm and bushing
right-hand rear suspension lower arm and bushing
rear wheel hub and axleshaft