HerrFunf

I have had a humming noise for a the last 20k under load in my 99.5 1.8T QMS. After checking all four wheel bearings and replacing one which was bad, the noise continued. There's no change in sound when cornering. I then asked my mechanic to give a diagnosis. He put it on the lift and ran the car. First he checked the driveshaft bearing said there was no play in it and no sound coming from there. He then found the humming sound coming from the rear diff. I have been putting off replacing til until about a week ago, when the humming sound turned into a jingling sound. Now, whenever the car is in gear and moving, it sounds like I'm dragging chains down the street. It goes away when I take it out of gear. Is there a good chance that I am correct to assume that the diff bearing is shot?

HAS ANYONE SEEN A WRITE UP ON DIFF REPLACEMENT?? I've searched for the last two hours and cant find one anywhere..

Thanks in advance.

JustStubby

I'm starting to have the same problem on my 98 2.8. I initially thought it was a wheel bearing but the machanic told me the sound was coming from inside the rear differential.

I'm trying not to replace the unit. If anyone knows of a solution, please pass it along.

HerrFunf

I did the swap in 5.5 hours. The hardest part was detaching the driveshaft Flange from the diff flange. The inner CV flanges were stuck too, but a little heat and and few taps from a hammer got them all off. Luckily no bolt heads stripped. The procedure was in my Haynes manual and I'm sure its in the Bentley. Pretty simple. I bought the diff from Shokan for $385, and they got it to me the next day. Now that the replacement ones in, the humming noise under load is gone, but that damn chattering noise is still there. Must be from somewhere else.