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new gears, weird noises

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Old 01-14-2010, 10:03 PM
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Default new gears, weird noises

i just had 5.13 gears installed a couple of days ago. and when i put it in drive they make a weird noise, it doesent sound like a grinding noise though. well after a few hundred feet it goes away. is this normal?
Old 01-14-2010, 10:27 PM
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I never heard any strange noises in my gears and I had my stock tires for a while so it was fairly quite.

The gears in my TJ had a faint winning noise for the hundred miles or so after they were installed, but it was constant.

The driveline had a slight tight or binding feeling which was probably a combination of the lower gears and relatively smaller tires.

Where did you get you gears done?
Old 01-14-2010, 10:33 PM
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i helped install them at 4 wheel parts. well ok i did more watching than helping. lol
Old 01-14-2010, 10:35 PM
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This doesn't sound good to me! I had 4.88 gears installed and had a faint rattle in rear. I thought it was exhaust heat shield which had been vibrating loose. Later my ring teeth were found to be rounded and needed replaced. Final diagnosis = backlash wasn't properly set. Wtih this being a new install, I would take the Jeep back for inspection. If it continues, I would take it to a seperate knowledgeable installer. Unless this was a factory install (probably not) STAY AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. Your lifetime powertrain will be void. technically is anyway though. Good luck and hopefully you won't have to pay for another master install kit.
Old 01-14-2010, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Donnie Daves
This doesn't sound good to me! I had 4.88 gears installed and had a faint rattle in rear. I thought it was exhaust heat shield which had been vibrating loose. Later my ring teeth were found to be rounded and needed replaced. Final diagnosis = backlash wasn't properly set. Wtih this being a new install, I would take the Jeep back for inspection. If it continues, I would take it to a seperate knowledgeable installer. Unless this was a factory install (probably not) STAY AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. Your lifetime powertrain will be void. technically is anyway though. Good luck and hopefully you won't have to pay for another master install kit.

yea i am going to take it there tomorrow. hey Donnie where is cummings Ga? i am from Mcdonough.
Old 01-14-2010, 11:26 PM
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From Randys R&P


What is this whirring noise?
Whirring noise only while decelerating at any or all speeds is most likely caused by bad pinion bearings or loose pinion bearing preload, and almost never by bad ring and pinion gears.

A howl or whine during acceleration over a small or large speed range is usually caused by worn ring and pinion gears or improper gear set up.

Rumbling or whirring at speeds over about 20 mph can be caused by worn carrier bearings. The noise may change while turning.

Regular clunking every few feet may indicate broken ring or pinion gears.

Banging or clunking only on corners can be caused by broken spider gears, lack of sufficient positraction lubrication, or worn positraction clutches.

Rumble while turning may indicate bad wheel bearings.

A steady vibration that increases with the vehicle’s speed can be caused by worn u-joints or an out of balance driveshaft.

Clunking only when starting to move or getting on and off the gas might be loose yokes, bad u-joints or worn transfer case or transmission parts.
Old 01-15-2010, 01:45 AM
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A whine or a hum with lower gears is common and normal. Let me explain that statement a bit more. All gears will make some kind of noise, but lower gears tend to make more noise. Also, how the teeth are cut, is responsible for the amount of noise - some will "pop" more than others. Generally speaking, the gear whine is not significantly audible in the vehicle with the engine under load, i.e. it gets drowned out by engine and wind noise, and often by the radio. Also, and this is important, the whine is constant and the frequency is relative to vehicle speed. If it makes noise only at a certain speed or only under acceleration or deceleration or a noise other than a somewhat pleasant hum, it is probably something bad.

The description you gave is a bit vague, but it sounds to me like you are saying it happens only on acceleration up to a certain speed. That sounds to me like they are not set up right. I would check for proper fitment (back lash etc.) and also check for wear. They are new gears, so the teeth should be nice and square. My want to check the bearings as well, not sure if you reused them or have new ones, but new is always a safe choice.

Like previously mentioned, take it back to where you had it installed. They should stand behind their work and at least inspect it. Finding a "rear end specialist" for a second opinion is also a really good idea. Go to your local drag strip and ask around who is good - they usually tend to hang out there.

As far as the dealership and warranty are concerned. I wouldn't go to the dealer with this one. They will probably just break it more and charge you extra and try to tell you your warranty is totally voided. In all reality, all you voided is the warranty on the ring and pinion that you removed. If something breaks, the dealer has to show that your modification is directly related to the breakage. So yeah, if you break an axle, the gears and tires are probably responsible and they won't cover the axle. But if your water pump gives out, it has nothing to do with the gears and is under warranty. The dealer will probably tell you all sorts of things to the contrary, but you can push the issue and you will eventually win, though it is usually easier to find a modification friendly dealer than work with one who doesn't really want to help.
Old 01-15-2010, 03:41 AM
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How the hell are we supposed to know what a "noise" is with absolutely no description whatsoever?
Old 01-15-2010, 04:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Red
A whine or a hum with lower gears is common and normal. Let me explain that statement a bit more. All gears will make some kind of noise, but lower gears tend to make more noise. Also, how the teeth are cut, is responsible for the amount of noise - some will "pop" more than others. Generally speaking, the gear whine is not significantly audible in the vehicle with the engine under load, i.e. it gets drowned out by engine and wind noise, and often by the radio. Also, and this is important, the whine is constant and the frequency is relative to vehicle speed. If it makes noise only at a certain speed or only under acceleration or deceleration or a noise other than a somewhat pleasant hum, it is probably something bad.

The description you gave is a bit vague, but it sounds to me like you are saying it happens only on acceleration up to a certain speed. That sounds to me like they are not set up right. I would check for proper fitment (back lash etc.) and also check for wear. They are new gears, so the teeth should be nice and square. My want to check the bearings as well, not sure if you reused them or have new ones, but new is always a safe choice.

Like previously mentioned, take it back to where you had it installed. They should stand behind their work and at least inspect it. Finding a "rear end specialist" for a second opinion is also a really good idea. Go to your local drag strip and ask around who is good - they usually tend to hang out there.

As far as the dealership and warranty are concerned. I wouldn't go to the dealer with this one. They will probably just break it more and charge you extra and try to tell you your warranty is totally voided. In all reality, all you voided is the warranty on the ring and pinion that you removed. If something breaks, the dealer has to show that your modification is directly related to the breakage. So yeah, if you break an axle, the gears and tires are probably responsible and they won't cover the axle. But if your water pump gives out, it has nothing to do with the gears and is under warranty. The dealer will probably tell you all sorts of things to the contrary, but you can push the issue and you will eventually win, though it is usually easier to find a modification friendly dealer than work with one who doesn't really want to help.
x2 with what Red said. I had whirling noise at first, especially when I let off the gas until the gears got broke-in.

Yates
Old 01-15-2010, 04:38 PM
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X3 on what RedneckJeep said, I have done quite a few gear installs and none of them ever made noise. Was this install done by a reputable shop? And question #2 how long did it take?


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