OK guys, i need some more of yall's experience. Here is the problem-when i am going down the road(in any gear)if i let out of the gas all of the way then a strange whining noise comes from the rear of the car. it does not do this,however,if i push in on the clutch or take it out of gear just only when the car is coasting in gear. Question- What does this mean? Is my rearend about to grenade? Are the bearings in my rearend worn out? I did have one guy tell me that he thought it was the exhaust making the noise. Is this possible? Any input will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

If it was the exhaust, you would probably hear it more when you put your foot in it.
I assume the noise just started, or you at least just recently started hearing it. Also, more than likely the noise is there when you have your foot on the gas, it might just not be loud enough to hear over the motor and exhaust noise.
At any rate, have you checked to see if there is any leakage around your rearend? Maybe up around the pinion yoke? Also, how many miles are on the car and do you still have the original gears?
Typically a whining noise that is coming from the rear is a bearing failing, unless gears were replaced. I don't think your rearend will grenade, but if the bearings are failing you will definately need a rebuild or an upgrade(9 inch or 12-bolt). My .02

 

Well the noise has been in the car since i bought it which was about 3-4months ago. And as far as i know the car has all of the original rearend and gears(by the way the car has 128,000).Also i have not checked for any leakage around the rearend but i will check that today and get back with you. Thanks for your input.

 

My bearings were improperely preloaded and whined with de-accel and accel. Thats the pinion moving up or down on the ring gear.

 

Well I checked my rearend and it does not appear that any fluids are leaking. My guess is that there is a bearing worn out in my rearend but then again i know s**t. Well when I get the money I plan to get a new set of gears probably 3:42's so when i do this I will replace everything that could cause the noise or be worn out. What are the best gears to go with as far as quality? Would you go back with the 10 or upgrade? Right now all that my car has is a k&n cai,tb bypass,and flowmaster cat back exhaust. With a best time of a 8.89 do I need anything better then the 10?(I doubt it) Thanks for your input.

 

One consideration is whether your car is auto or manual. The auto cars are easier on the rear than the manual cars.

Auto car, probably for now with the mods you have the stock 10 bolt will be ok. I say probably because there are no definates. I have an auto car and i used 3.73 gears. Huge difference from my 2.73 and i don't think the 3.73s will bring the RPM up much more than the 3.42 gears, but in the end, it's what you can live with. Also, i would recommend a girdle. You can usually find these on the for sale section of this board. If not, Summit sells them for around $140 and that is with the stud kit, whereas the other brands typically sell the stud kit seperately. I think it's just cheap insurance, especially if you drive your car alot.

Manual car, i would probably say save your money and buy a different rearend (Ford 8.8 or 9 inch, or the 12-bolt). Unless you use a weak slipping clutch and go easy on the driveline. Because eventually you'll want to go faster and the rear just won't hold up, but for now the rear should be ok.

My .02

 

Well the car is a 6spd. And the weak clutch comment reminds me of a question I need to ask:My to bearing recently went out and I was short on cash and wanted to buy a kit(no need to not go ahead and replace the cluitch/pp}so I just bought a kit that was supposably oem quality(probably a bad mistake) So my question is how long can I expect this clutch to hold up if I take it to the track every weekend at say 8 passes a weekend but am easy on it on the street? The clutch will be in tomarrow so I cant turn back now but I would like to know it's life expectancy. Thanks alot.

 

For a stock clutch and pp, i wouldn't think it would last long taking it to the track that much. You'll know when it's starting to go, because it will start slipping. It might last longer if you don't do high rpm clutch dumps.