Noisy rear end problem in the Previa.

[orange4boy]

And it's not the beans...

The Previa has a rear end issue. I found a possible solution on the net with a loose pinion nut but I tightened it up and I'm still getting the roaring noise especially at highway speeds. I replaced the end seal at the same time because it was leaking badly. I wonder if it could just be the pinion bearing. I can feel a roughness when I rotate it by hand. It's so loud I'm beginning to worry about my hearing. I'm contemplating replacing the pumpkin. I guess I should try to get a peek at the gears to see if I can see any damage. I know the sound and feeling of a bad bearing and it seems to be similar but it could be the diff, I suppose. Is there any way to be sure without dropping the whole thing? Can a bad diff cause poor FE?

The good news is I found a rear drum dragging which I loosened up so that should help with the FE.

Hope your vehicles are running smooth.

[Whoops]

It sounds to me like the bearing is already shot. The chances are pretty high that if the bearing is pitted, which is what it sounds like, it probably also has metal in the fluid, which in turn just chews the gears up, which is a downhill slide.

I'd look into getting a whole used rear end and just replace the whole thing. Generally, unless they get low on oil, they run, relatively, forever. I'd put new gear oil in, when you swap it.

[blueflame]

Try filling it with moreys additive but it sounds as if it got run dry

[bikin' Ed]

My money is on the pinion bearing. I'd replace the bearing, use a new seal, clean up the innerds, and add new synthetic oil. Unless when you are in there you see a major problem, you might be able to eek out another 100,000 miles or so.

[orange4boy]

Thanks for the help.

I had a hunch it was the bearing. I've had a similar bearing issue on a belt sander that sounded similar. Next job: pinion bearing. If that does not fix it the pumpkin is next.

I don't think I ran it dry. It was 1/2 pint low at most.