Whining from rear differential

[86 Syncro]

Like the topic says, I am starting to get a faint, low pitched whining from my rear diff, but ONLY when i’m either decelerating or holding current speed, not when accelerating…

Aside from the oil level in the diff (which I’m going to go check now) should I be getting prepared for a new rear diff?

[Padrig]

Hi, Probably one of your internal bearings are whining.
Most likely the front bearing of the input Crown-wheel, or the left bearing of the left output shaft. These are the most likely ones to fail.
Have dismantled an rebuild many Syncro diffs and the most likely culprits where these bearings and the Freewheel locking mechanism. Bearings can still be ordered from VW if you are up to the challenge to dismantle the diff and fix it your self. If not, I would be happy to rebuild it for you cheaper than a replacement Diff, however you will need to ship it to The Netherlands…

Good luck
Patrick

[86 Syncro]

OK, drained and refilled the Transmission, transfer box, and rear differential, and the fluid level in the diff was a little low, and I noticed that all of my seals have started to leak a bit.

There is quite a bit of movement in the output flange on the Passenger side (UK Driver side) so I assume that the bearings are on their way out. I assume this would also probably be the reason that I’m getting a bit of a shake in the rear-end at speed. Is the differential in danger of failure? (BOOM!)

I’m no stranger to a spanner, so I think I’m capable of rebuilding the differential myself, and doing so would be a great experience for me. I would just need a few things to make it happen:

1. Any literature related to the rebuilding of the diff
2. Are any special tools needed?
3. List of parts that need to be replaced in the rebuild
4. Any tips, helpful hints?

I would be happy just to send it to either you or ChrisS, but this is my daily driver at the moment, so I can’t afford to have this car down for more than a few days.

[Padrig]

The Right hand side driveshaft always have some play in them, never seen one without it anyway. Even when rebuilding, you will not get rid of that play (unless it’s to much play of course).

Opening and rebuilding is not to hard if you have the right tools to do the job. For instance, you need a long reach 41mm socket to undo the input Crown-wheel and a tough plastic or hard rubber wedge to put between the crown-wheel and the left output shaft teethes to lock them in place so you can undo the 41mm nut. Also some imagination is handy to undo the large studded lock-ring which hold the left output shaft. I have made a special tool for this, but used to do it with a three-legged self clamping oil filter wrench. Also the Planetary diff wheels are frustrating to remove (some hard to reach lock-rings need to be removed before you can remove the planetary diff wheel casing).

I have made a photo documentary of my latest diff rebuilding (after having done some diffs for other people, I now needed to do my own as a guy at the MOT screwed up my diff during brake testing “on a 2wd testing line” which completely knackered my Freewheel lock)

I will post it on my own website tonight, and will place a direct link here, so you can have a look at it.

[Padrig]

Here’s the link, although it’s in Dutch, I hope you can understand.
http://www.padrig.eu/Golf_Country_Register/Garage/Garage.html

[86 Syncro]

So, how much would you charge me to rebuild my differential? []

[Padrig]

quote:

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Originally posted by 88Jetta350

So, how much would you charge me to rebuild my differential? []

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Hi, I’m not in it for the money, but it all depends on what’s wrong in the diff. As an estimate anywhere between 75 and 150 euro’s Excluding postage.

Have you seen the rebuild thread on my website?

What ever you decide, it’s OK with me mate…[]

[86 Syncro]

Yes, I looked through your rebuild page, quality work. That’s where I decided that it may be a bit more than I can handle. Dutch seems to be similar enough to German that I could pretty much figure out what’s going on.

I can’t afford to mess it up, so I think it would be best left to someone that’s done the rebuild before.

Your price seems very reasonable, I was expecting to pay more, to be honest.

Depending on how long you think you need for the rebuild, I may try and source a used differential, and send you that. Like I said, it’s my daily driver at the moment, so I can’t afford to have it down for more than a week or so.

I’ll be in touch in the next week or so.

[Padrig]

As I said, I’m not in it for the money, I don’t need to make a profit out of it either.

However, I do have a Differential here that needs to be rebuild. So if you want, I can start rebuilding this diff and when finished can send it over to you, so you can switch the diff in your own time, after which you send your diff in need of a rebuild back to me as a part exchange?. This way you can use your daily driver with the minimum of fuss!

The diff I have here is in need of new seals all round and a new input crown-wheel bearing.
For which I need € 130,- excl. postage as part exchange.
This Diff also has a rebuild Vacuum accumulator which I have done previously. If you want, you can replace this with your own, on site.

If you prefer, I will be happy to do that for you, no problem, in which case I need to know which type of diff you have, 21/20 ratio (1P, G60, GTI etc 4cylinder) or a 16/20 ratio (VR6 etc 6cylinder), have both of them here anyway.

[86 Syncro]

Sounds geat! Just let me know when you’re finished rebuilding it, and I’ll send you the money.

My Syncro is a Golf 2 4-cylinder, engine code GU.

Also, if my vacuum accumulator is going to fail at some point, I would assume it would be best to take you up on your offer for that as well.

Thanks!

[Padrig]

OK you need a 21/20 ratio.
Will let you know as soon as it’s finished.

[Padrig]

Hi Derrik,
Your Diff is on its way to start his 2nd life,[] all components cleaned, new seals pressed in, new bearing pressed on the Crown-wheel etc.

Will complete the rebuild tomorrow or the day after, anyway, think it can be send over to Germany this week. Will try to find out the cheapest way to post it.

[86 Syncro]

Wow! That’s all I can say. You work fast. [] I was expecting to wait a week or two. I will be able to send you the money for this next Tuesday, when I get paid.

You wouldn’t happen to do transmissions too, would you? []

[Padrig]

quote:

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Originally posted by 88Jetta350
You wouldn’t happen to do transmissions too, would you? []

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Hmm, there is a first for everything []… but would not recommend it to be honest…[]

[86 Syncro]

lol

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