Is It Safe to Drive with a Noisy Differential?
1 Answers
It is advisable not to continue driving if the differential is making unusual noises. You should promptly take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for inspection. After lifting the vehicle, if the noise persists when braking either drive wheel, it rules out wheel bearing or brake system issues. If replacing the drive axle does not eliminate the noise, it excludes axle faults. If the noise only occurs during turns, it is likely differential-related. Possible causes of differential noise include: 1. Poor gear meshing, loose spline fit between the side gear and axle; 2. Overly loose or tight bearings; 3. Excessive wear of differential components; 4. Improper gear meshing clearance or incorrect gear contact patterns.