Well the 4.10 install didn't go as planned... after a while shimming it I realized the gears were meant for a 3-series carrier. I pulled out my new-in-box Richmond 3.73's (that I knew were for a 2-series carrier), sure enough that ring gear was a helluvalot thicker.

So I installed those. Amazingly the stock shims worked perfectly. The pattern was beautiful, had very little lash, so I put everything back together and popped in some fluid.

I took her out for a spin this morning. Forward and reverse everything seems fine until I let the car coast. Then I get this whining sound that resembles a big electric motor. No grinding. Shifting and acceleration seem unaffected.

On the forum here everyone seems to hate Richmonds because they whine, but how much whine is "normal"? This isn't a permanent swap... just something so my car isn't going 120 mph with 2.73's when I get it dyno-tuned Monday .

Thanks guys

 

On Mosers' web sight he says it's normal for aftermarket gears to wine more than factory gears because they have more nickel in them to increase the strength.

 

Trax,
Years ago Richmond 4.10s was one of the first mods done to my Z. Before buying them I called a Richmond tech rep. and asked about gear noise in my application. No problem he tells me, theres very little noise when set up properly. The mechanic that put them in and was not a happy camper when I came to pick up the car. He had opened up the rear and checked the lash 3 times to try and figure out why they were still a little noisy.
So its like everyone says, Richmonds are some of the noisiest gears out there for our size rearends. If you like how the lash looks and the gears are temporary I think your fine. If your going to keep them in I'd look into a solid pinion spacer so they hold there setting better.
You do realize the only thing thats going to slow down at a given RPM on the dyno with the gear change is your tire speed.

Your neighbor, Rick

 

I had the exact same gears before going to Motive 4.11's with a 3 series carrier.

They did make the electric whine you describe, but they never gave me any problems, I just wanted the 4.11's which is why I changed.

 

My richmond 373's whined like a lil girl...the install was done right also... after the pos's broke teeth I baught motives no more whine

 

I had Richmond 4.10s that whined some around 40mph and that was it. I now have 3.73's that dont whine at all. Both installed by the same person.

 

I have Richmond 3.73's and they dont whine at all. I do have a bad pinion bearing and it whines so loud its rediculous, but the gears are quiet as can be.

 

i have richmond 4:10's in my gen 3 camaro and they whined bad for like 1k milez now u dont even know they are there i had a few firends that had that problem 2

 

Mine are a little noisy too. After a while I got used to it. I don't even notice anymore.

 

Update for those considering Richmond gears...

After a road test done by yours truly and a Fox-body pal of mine, we drove the car down a country road taking turns standing on the roadside to hear the car.

Observations:

1. Hooker LT's + Mufflex Y + Hooker Catback + 4000 rpm downshifts =

2. You cannot hear ANY whine from the outside of the car, only from the inside.

I think I'll just sell the 4.10's and leave the Richmond's in until I can afford the 12-bolt.

 

i havent had any problems with mine.

 

I have an awful whine, too. It is present in 4th-5th gear, but above 90mph it disappears.
Trying to save for a 12-bolt..

 

So, what you are saying is that this noise is not audible from outside the car? I get the whine and also a rotational noise when almost stopped. It is louder once the car has been driven a while and the fluid is warmer. I used Mobil 1 and the LSA in the rear in hopes to quiet i my Richmond 3.23's down....so far about 2500 miles and it sounds the same to me. I am getting used to it, but my main concern is if others hear it from outside my car. Why is it that it is only heard inside the car? Is it some sort of vibration or traveling noise?

What do you all think?