Guys I have a 1994 camaro z28 automatic with 80k . Last year I had the rear end rebuilt with the richmond 3.73 and shim and bearings after going to the track and making 4 passes..( yes I did break the gear in) I noticed a whinning noise from the rear off the car... today 3wks later I also noticed a puddle about a pint of oil on the ground in the garage floor from the back of the car .... and it was not tranny oil. The whinning noise only happens when coasting or slowing down so far. Any ideas on what my problem might be ? OR what I need to look for when I put it up on the ramp?

 

The whining is probably a faulty gear setup, or a problem with the crush sleeve. The leak is typically the pinion seal. You have to get under there and see where the gear lube is coming from.

 

When the rear end was swapped and rebuilt it had a sound the first time I drove it , I returned the car asap within less than a mile 2k miles with no issue till now I will isolate exactly where there leak is comming from thanks.

 

Give the yoke a shake and make sure there's no movement. It shouldn't rattle around on there.

 

Just got under the rear end I found the fluid leak from the front of the rear end by where the driveshaft hooks up to the rear end... ok let me hear the bads news everyone. The yoke isnt shaking driveshaft feels secure.

 

Bad pinion seal. You know you can't beat on 10 bolts and expect them to last very long.

 

The pinion seal is a cheap replacement if you do it yourself, but to do it right, you need to measure the preload on the pinion, count the turns on the big nut when you take it off, and after replacing the seal make sure you tighten the nut correctly to it's original position, and maintain the original preload.

Add to that the whine on decel, and it may be indicating a gear contact problem. That would mean that the gears would have to be inspected by someone who knows what they are doing, to determine if there is a wear pattern that would confirm the source of the whine. The gears should be inspected before the pinion seal is replaced, since the gears may need to be replaced. I would have the shop that installed the 3.73's take a look.

 

Thanks for all the info to everyone I WILL make sure my pockets are deep only bright spot is maybe I should get 4.10 put in? looking like the stall waits til next year will update all

 

I would not go 4.10 with A4.

 

I have a Richmond 3.73 gear in my stock 10 bolt also and my pinion seal went also. Richmond gears whines anyway. Had my leak fixed at Drivetrain Specialist(1-800-521-0628) . I got lucky and won a $50.00 gift certificate from them at Camaro Superfest last summer. While I had the car there I had them install one of their TA aluminum covers. If you can,order one of those covers from them. They will ship it right to your house. Its a nice addition. Ask for Sandy or Claud. :0)

 

How much et would a swap to 4.10 give a a-4?