i88aGT

My car is making a bad noise when taking turns. When a car is low on gear oil or the gear oil is bad can that lead to an intermittent rear end sound? That’s the trouble I’m having and I could use some advice. Couple people who didn’t hear the sound told me bearing but then said that it would make noise all the time, not just after driving for a while usually. This isn’t just a low speed sound, it happens on highway bends too. I don't want to drive it until it's fixed, the sound is happening more frequently.
I attached an audio clip, I recorded from inside the car while circling the pumps at a gas station—wide right, wide left (faster), then left into a parking stall. I boosted the volume, the clanging noises are just stuff in my car moving like my keyfob hitting the column and spare knocking around. It's a whurring rotational noise. Going faster will change the rapidity a bit. Can be heard over low music. 99% sure it's coming from the back.
A/T 350L IROC. RPO for 2.77, but there's a yellow chalk mark like it's a junkyard swap. 113k mi now, bought it at 50k mi.

Incidentally, rear u joint was really bad and replaced-- didn't fix.

Conditions: Have to be moving and turning, occurs at speeds anywhere from bend on a highway to a sharp parking maneuver, wet or dry, pavement or gravel, hot or cold outside temp, braking does not affect at all; sometimes when I drive it first off it makes the noise, often I have to drive for a bit before it starts, once it starts making the noise it usually doesn't go away until it sits overnight. The last part is weird, I know.

Possibly related: recently became aware of a soft whining noise on straight stretches at about 50mph when I barely have my foot on the accelerator, goes away when I let my foot off. Also sounds like rear. Seems like when this noise appears so does the other.
I considered tires but it doesn’t change from pavement to gravel, or going from wet to dry surfaces.

I really appreciate any help at all.

no new tires

Let that dog out.

i88aGT

lol

big gear head

Have you checked the brakes? Never mind. I see that brakes don't have any affect on it. Maybe try changing the oil. I'm assuming this is a 9 bolt Borg Warner.

Lurbie

iTrader: (3)

Take a fuel line or other rubber hose and connect it to the breather of the axle. It will act like a stethoscope and let you verify whether or not the noise is in the differential/axle housing. You could also have someone walk/jog next to either side of the car to see if it is louder on one side or the other. Apply the parking brake slightly to see if the noise changes, that would help identify it is is a brake issue.

90HSR406

Sounds to me like a limited slip without the friction modifier additive. Had a 92 TA sound pretty similar to that after a diff fluid change, only while turning, until the additive was put in. Don't remember the acdelco part number for the additive unfortunately, but I'm sure somebody on here can help with that. We had to add the acdelco stuff even when using the gear oil advertised for use in LSD's.
If I remember correctly, it made noise all the time while turning left or right, regardless of rear end temperature. My TBSS basically has a bigger version of a 10 bolt, but acted a little different after new fluid. (I figured after 16 years, GM would have changed the materials to something that does not need the additive, silly me) It only shuddered during low speeds and it went away once the rear was warm. Again, symptoms stopped once the acdelco magic juice was added.
Hope you get it figured out.

i88aGT

Thanks for the advice everybody, you were right, it was the gear oil! My dad's ****** Jeep mechanic changed it yesterday. There weren't any shavings, but the oil was pretty black and was really light. Cleaned housing, fresh oil and additive and the sound is gone. He also confrimed that my car has the correct 2.77. Drove it around for about 3 hours and no sound. Awesome sauce.