Legacy SS front diff whine

[P K]

Hello All,

My 1993 SS, 5-speed has a whine coming from the front diff - it is speed related, not rpm. It also appears to be heating up (trans/diff area) as I smell hot from the engine bay; engine is fine, temp gauge right in the middle.

 

I suspect I need a new trans, but this is an EJ22T 5-speed, so it's gonna be a rare find. My gears are fine, shift great, and very quiet, only 113K miles on vehicle. I would prefer to replace just the diff, not the trans, so my questions:

 

1. Has anyone swapped out a front diff unit as a whole, without worrying about lash, etc versus replacing trans?

 

2. Are Subaru diffs standard lego parts, and I just need to find a matching 3.90?

 

Thanks in advance, PK

[1 Lucky Texan]

I doubt I'll be much help on this car and problem but, does the whine sound the same (same freq.) at - say - 20mph in 1st as it does at 20mph in 2nd ?

 

do you have any fluid dripping from the diff at the axle stubs?

[P K]

Yep, same sound no matter what gear. Whine gets more prominent as speed increases, but again doesn't matter if in 3rd, 4th, or 5th when going 50 mph either - same sound. No leaks, gear fluid at proper level. thnx

[1 Lucky Texan]

wonder if you could CAREFULLY run the car while up on 4 stands? Then, maybe you could narrow the sound down to left or right side of the diff or ??? Might need a very long screwdriver or piece of hose or mechanics stethoscope.

 

might be worth pulling the drain plug to look for excessive metal on the magnet.

[GeneralDisorder]

Probably just some bearings. Open the trans and replace them. Not an uncommon problem.

 

GD