98 Quadcab 102K 5.9 2WD Automatic 91/4 Standard Rear End

I have been hearing a whine that seems to come from the rear part of the truck and is relartive to speed not RPM. Only hear the noise when moving forward and the faster I go the louder it is, but never deafening. I keep the rear end oil changed and recently changed it and have never found evidence of metal shavings or wear. Just put on new tires. Today changed the rear axle bearings. No help. I am suspect of the bearing at the front of the differential housing. After driving about five miles, I got under the truck and felt of the housing and it felt warm to the touch.

 

Holy god, I was just about to post this identical question. I have the same noise that I believe is coming from the front bearing on the rear end. I had my rear end rebuilt about 15k miles ago and I don't believe that the outer bearing was changed. (Unless this is part of a standard rebuild?)

Regardless, I also have an intermittent leak that just started at the yoke that has sprayed the bottom of my gas tank, heat shield, and underside of my bed with gear oil. I topped it off last night and now it doesn't seem to be leaking anymore.

Any advice to me and the OP would be greatly appreciated!

 

it could also be the tires whinning. did it do it before u installed the tires?

 

Me or OP? If me, I put brand new tires on 3 days ago.

 

i was talkin to the OP but could be your prob too if it didnt do it before u put the tires on

 

It did. It's been doing it for about a year now.

 

its normal for the housing to be warm, even hot.

pinion bearing is about the most common noise maker. does it whine when accelerating and growl when decelerating. unfortunately replacing that bearing is not a diy. rebuild kit is about $100+ in parts and probably 250-300-400-500 in labor. what you can do though is replace the entire rear end, housing and all. look for one super cheap from a junkyard.

i'm assuming it started making this noise before you put on the new tires, and the new tires didn't change the noise.

if the noise doesn't bother you, it'll run forever as is. it'll gradually get louder.

 

hate to tell you guys this cause I had the deceleration whine and just got it back from the shop today ...cost me $850 to fix....and it was just a loose pinion bearing but they found my lsd/posi unit blew apart too...
Anyway whining under acceleration is more serious (usually gears themselves or carrier bearings and more likely to explode and leave you stranded.....
here's a better explanation.

http://www.4x4now.com/gt0699.htm

 

pinion bearing usually only make noise on decceration and the junkyard will only be of help if they have stock gears or get real lucky....
I believe a Bubba'ed DIY you was to blame for mine failing in the first place.... and they dont always last long that way at all....I googled it when I first noticed my issue and found lots of threads where the rear axle just locked up almost causing bad accidents or just blew apart....
Not that I'm trying to start an arguement or anything...just saying.

 

The whine I hear is consistent with MPH, i.e. as you accelerate or go faster the whine increases in pitch, and slightly in volume. Conversely, as you slow down, pitch and noise decelerate. I was hearing this prior to the tire change and was hoping it was a worn tire whine but the new tires haven't helped.