Hi, just wondering if an open diff makes noise when in gear on jack stands? I mean I'm getting a whirring noise even at idle. I can hear it when I drive it too. Cornering, accel/coast no affect. If I rotate one side axle by hand you can hear/feel every spider gear tooth. I can yank on pinion back and forth no noticeable play but a little slack when you turn the pinion back and forth (1/8" approx.) Just not sure whats normal but I don't remember any of my other cars doing this. Any ideas?
If it's the 61, it may be time for a general overhaul; Fab Craft Metal Works is the go to for these rear ends. I just ****oned up a 55-64 Chevrolet, 3.70 open third member today, and it has a little slop in the R and P too, but not an 1/8th of an inch. Had to replace the seriously damaged side and spider gears, along with the cross pin too. Glad I'm not the only one with "rear end trouble" (ha ha!). Good luck with yours. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Yes I've noticed this on GM and Dana axles many times....They were fine on the road.....But the noise might be something to investigate...
Sounds mane like a bad pinion bearing in diff. Get a stethoscope from harbor freight for 4 bucks and touch it to the rear at different places. Might be a bearing in the trans also. I know if you grab a steering knuckle you can feel a bad wheel bearing. Grab the rear housing and maybe you can feel the grinding.
So I pulled it apart this AM and found the pinion bearings feeling stiff. By the time I washed the old gear oil off the pinion it turned real stiff, choppey and even a bit screechy, definitely the problem. The initial force to turn the pinion is great. Its almost like its way too tight but there are no signs of anybody having messed with it for a long time. Even around the pinion nut was packed full of old grease/dirt. I had a small vibration at about 20-25mph too and wondering if that could contribute to that too.
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