Rumble in Rear

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Dec 8, 2005 | 02:04 PM

mediaman67

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2005

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Rumble in Rear

Hi all,

I have a 1989 3.0L Aero:

I wanted to know if anyone has ever had this problem: BTW, it ONLY happens at speeds over 55MPH

when crusing on the highway, I get a rumble sound coming from the rear of the van.... almost like the baffles inside the muffler are not keeping it quiet...

My Question is, could this be anything else, like the Rear End or Axle? I don't want the rear end to or axle to seize up on me at 70MPH!

I know the unsafe and easy way to troubleshoot it, would be to drop into N and turn off the van at 70MPH, and see if the noise goes away, but I was hoping that this was not a known problem with the Rear Ends?

I know it's not the brakes at all, because it was doing this before I had them done, and still doing it.

Thanks to one and all!

BTW: 96- What part of OH are you from?

Bob

Dec 8, 2005 | 03:29 PM

copper_90680

Postmaster

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 4,452

Likes: 1

From: Southern California

Bob:

Check the U-joints on your drive shaft.

Dec 8, 2005 | 03:43 PM

mediaman67

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 835

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would they only show up at really high speeds like that? U-Joints? Guess, that would also be a good test to stall the van, and listen... since they would spin regardless...

How expensive of a repair is that? At least you don't think it's the rear end?

Thanks,
Bob

Dec 8, 2005 | 05:27 PM

93nighthawk

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 2,416

Likes: 1

From: Mitchell, SD

Also check on the door jam to see if you have a LS rear end (It will start with a B in the axle code) or a 2 (Open rear end.)

LS have been known to make noise.

Dec 8, 2005 | 07:27 PM

96_4wdr

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 5,720

Likes: 5

From: Washington state

when was the rear diff. lube changed....good reason to pull off back plate and inspect ring/pinion carrier LS before all hell breaks loose....look for any metal cuttings in bottom and on magnetic fill inspection plug...also check pinion shaft bearing for excessive play and seal leakage and rear wheel bearings/seals....
a little pm and checking can save bucu bucks

Dec 8, 2005 | 07:44 PM

mediaman67

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 835

Likes: 0

I have a pinon seal replaced about 5 years ago, and it was changed then... I only have about 10K on it since...

I would think that if it was the Diff, it would sound bad while turning corners? not driving in a straight line? but I'm up for anything...

As I say, never makes a peep under about 55ishMPH... The muffler, I can see, has a bad seam... of course the design was to put that seam towards the ground where all the salt and road crap would corrode it...

By bad seam, I mean that the seam is parting... you can push on the seam itself, and feel it move, like it's coming away from the other metal (and I thought Walker exhaust was good!) Lucky I have a lifetime warranty on it :-)

Thanks again,
Bob