[Previologist]

Took it out for a couple hours tonight, highway and city driving. I was able to gather a little more info. Whatever it is I'm not terribly worried about it. Its one of those things that once you notice it its hard not to pay attention, but if you don't think about it you don't notice it much. I am not 100% sure it is coming from the rear.

The main thing I noticed is that it starts at about the same RPMs in every gear, always around 2000 and continues when you increase rpms. This leads me to suspect its not the differential. I'm just gonna keep driving and listening for clues.

[SaulG]

You best ask the almighty Tim the Tool...he's done a whole fifteen!

[Previologist]

I'd rather get back on topic. Although I guess I am off topic too, since this sound predates me pulling the axles so I'm certain it has nothing to do with wheel bearings or axle seals. The fact that its rpm-linked makes me think it is coming from elsewhere too

[GhostRing]

Try rotating you tires to see if the sound changes?
U joints or their associated angle?
I'm in the process of changing my front wheel bearings so there's that too...?

[T4R2014]

Wouldn't be surprised if its tires. It's pretty crazy how tires degrade in 5 years even with low mileage. Considering it's winter, I think you should get some newer tires. Old rubber isn't as pliable in the cold. If that doesn't change the drone, try going to 85w-140 and see if it changes the noise. I bought mine with a diff that ran low. The first thing to go was the pinion bearing. Thicker oil reduced the whine by a tiny amount.

[Previologist]

Originally Posted by GhostRing

Try rotating you tires to see if the sound changes?

There's no rubber left to rotate. But you were on the right track.

Originally Posted by T4R2014

Wouldn't be surprised if its tires. .

I decided to take it out on a 250 mile drive today, the first serious test of all the work I've done this year-clutch, timing belt, wheel bearings. I already was planning to buy new tires but this sound had me hesitant-didn't want to drop another 600 bucks on it if something bad is about to happen.

Thought I better check the tire pressure before I went because I hadn't done that in a while, and the pressure gauge found my noise problem-all 4 of them.

The 250 miles went great and quiet, all systems are go for new tires except my bank account.

[mtbtim]

Originally Posted by SaulG

You best ask the almighty Tim the Tool...he's done a whole fifteen!

Thanks for being a fan. I could easily get into a contest of shit-talking with you, but I've finally learned engaging in that is a total waste of time.

The point of me telling the other guy in this thread how many times I've done the job was to reiterate I have plenty of experience with this repair and know what I'm taking about. The guy was trying to school me on a repair i know very intimately and I've helped thousands of people perform the job themselves through my videos. If what I was teaching people was wrong, I would have seen it in all the times I've done the job and I would have heard from people using my videos that my techniques and information was flawed. My problem with that guy was he was pointing out there's only one correct way to do the job, and that was by following the FSM word for word.

Happy Trolling!