I'll describe what is does, and maybe someone will help me understand the cause of the failure. I just need to understant why it happened, and mostly why it happened so sudden.
The diff is a 3.25 LS, "big case". Regular oil changes, good quality oil, oil level always correct, no leaks. The LS clutches are quite worn; they break at about 45 Nm of torque.
Last year, I haven't noticed any unusual noise from the differential. It may be that I wan't listen to it, it may be that the almost shot standard subframe bushings damped the sound. Or it may simply be that it wasn't making any sound.
During the winter + spring, the diff was out of the car, for the rear axle revision. I remember that, when I checked it, I noticed a small play between the input shaft and output shafts.
After it was fitted back to the car, by end of May: noise. The subframe bushings are now Mayle HD. Here's the kind of noise it makes:
- a mild, but clearly present whine on power;
- almost no noise on engine brake;
- ugly grinding / clattering noise, when transiting from power on to engine brake. This happens when: a) coasting with the power applied just about enough to keep the revs of the engine in sync wth the rear wheels (in a certain gear), and b) after shitfing the gearbox in neutral and letting the car go on inertia.
What do you think the source of the problem is? What could have cause it?
Now, when I look back, I remember that the guys who helped removing and then installing back the diif held it by the input shaft and by rear part of the body. Could this be the cause?
Later add-on:: another difference from last year to this year: the drieveshaft had the U-joints replaced and it was rebalanced, with a brand-new center bearing.
