99 Tahoe Rear Whining Noise???

[cwithers]

I've been having a problem with my 99 Tahoe that I think may be the rear differential, but I'm not positive. For a few months, I've noticed a kind of whining or whirring sound that seems to be from the rear. I did the stupid thing last night and jacked up the rear and put the thing in drive to see where the sound was coming from. It appears it may be the differential, but I almost wondered if it was the brakes (doesn't seem likely, though).

I really hear the problem whenever I'm applying gas and above about 15 to 25 mph. It's pretty constant with the gas applied, but once I've let off the gas, after about a few seconds, it seems to go away for the most part.

Then the other day, it seems like I can hear it at lower speeds when it is downshifting. In this scenario, I've gotten up to about 50 and then simply let off the gas and coast. The sound initially stops after a few seconds, but then I start to hear it again as I'm down around 30 mph and I hear it stop and then start again each time as the transmission downshifts.

I wondered if it wasn't the transmission, but I'm really not having a problem with shifting. I also thought it might be the u-joint, but I'm not having vibrations at any speed.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[99ssconv]

sounds like you have a bearing going out in the rear differential

[cwithers]

Thanks. Actually went out completely today and pulled off the rear cover and found both bearings shot and the main gear torn up. Looks like I'm in for a wonderful weekend of replacing the entire third member.

[dream]

Originally Posted by cwithers

Thanks. Actually went out completely today and pulled off the rear cover and found both bearings shot and the main gear torn up. Looks like I'm in for a wonderful weekend of replacing the entire third member.

can you tell me how to actually go about posting a question on this site as i am unable to determine what the steps are...is there a button i need to click on to do so, similar to getting to this area? thanks