Symptoms of a pending rear end failure???

54warrior · 02-12-2007, 09:58 AM

Just wondering what any of the signs or symptoms are of a rear end that's about to fail? I think mine may be on it's way out. I have this annoying type of low pitched whine on the freeway, along with a bit of a vibration when letting of the gas at 70mph.

Thanks.

blkbelt65 · 02-12-2007, 10:30 AM

man I hate seeing these threads. I would like to know the ratio of trucks with "any kind of lift" as opposed to stock having this issue.

CtownTitan · 02-12-2007, 12:09 PM

I had my stock titan rear end replaced at 11,000 miles. i had been hearing a low whine at highway speeds that got to be real annoying after a while. I took it to the dealer for a oil change and told them about the noise my rear diff was making. 30 min later they came back and said the rear end needed to be replaced! I was astnonished that a 2006 with only 11k needed a new rear end! The tech told me that the unit comes as a whole, Nissan doesnt try to rebuild. I dropped it off in the morning and they had it ready before i got of work. Great service, warranty covered 100%, and i wasnt without a ride for long. s**t happens!!

54warrior · 02-12-2007, 01:00 PM

I'm concerned that I might have problems taking it to my "new" local dealer. See, I just moved 250 miles to a different part of Pennsylvania. My last dealer, the one I purchased from, has replaced a front wheel bearing, and both rear axle seals, no questions asked. Not one comment regarding the lift and or larger tires.

I'm nervous taking it to the local dealership (Lancaster Nissan) because:
1. I've never been there before
2. I didn't buy the truck there
3. Lift kit
4. Large Tires

My own personal opinion though is that a lift kit by itself doesn't really have any effect on the rear end. The only thing that might be affected is the input bearing from the driveshaft. Larger tires are a different issue, however, I would think that the axles would break first???

I've also read on here that unless they can specifically prove that the lift kit/wheels caused the problem, then they have to cover it? Is that correct? I posted awhile back asking for some info/experiences with this dealer and didn't get much of a response.

Thoughts please.

blkbelt65 · 02-12-2007, 01:08 PM

I doubt they have to "prove" it. It's prolly they're call, unless you make a real stink and try to fight it. I'm more than sure that a lift and or tires is going to bring up a red flag for those looking to raise one and get out of doing the work.

Call a dealer, maybe out of state, that you'd never used or would use and ask. In case they share records I wouldn't give any real info.

stevestitan · 02-12-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 54warrior

Just wondering what any of the signs or symptoms are of a rear end that's about to fail? I think mine may be on it's way out. I have this annoying type of low pitched whine on the freeway, along with a bit of a vibration when letting of the gas at 70mph.

Thanks.

54 - I can tell you that when my diff went it started slippping like I was on ice and then grabbing, almost like it was going in and out of gear. So much so that at first I thought it was the tranny. It finally let go at the entrance to my street and when it did the noise made it clear where the problem was coming from. That and the diff fluid coming out on my rims.

I can also tell you that the dealer I use here in Md did the diff change and covered it under warranty with absolutey no questions asked and that included the towing. He also threw in the finned aluminum diff cover as bonus.

I dont have any lift on my truck but do have 20's so I dont know about the raised issue but my mind is thinking that it shouldnt have anything to do with the rear if the dealer is reputable? If you really are concerned you might want to contact my service guy and talk to him. It may be a long trip but it would be better than paying a bunch of money for something that is a known problem. If you want I can call him and just ask if should be covered and let him know what your titan has and see what he says?? I owe him a free dinner anyway..

Let me know either way.
Hope this helps?

Wallrat · 02-12-2007, 06:21 PM

Mine went out at 24k miles. Installed the lift (Pro Comp 6") at 28k. Haven't had a problem w/ the rear diff since. The front diff on the other hand...

Got my work done at Valencia Nissan - of course the service guy told me that mine was the only Titan rear diff failure they'd ever seen.

**blavis** · 02-12-2007, 07:24 PM

Wow! Thanks for the info. Mine began to whine around 3k. It only does it between 55-60mph while maintaining speed. Also, are the new rear ends made differently, or is it going to possibly fail in the future.

stevestitan · 02-13-2007, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blavis

Wow! Thanks for the info. Mine began to whine around 3k. It only does it between 55-60mph while maintaining speed. Also, are the new rear ends made differently, or is it going to possibly fail in the future.

From what I've been told and read the replacement rear diff is a better unit and the parts that are prone to fail in the early 04's and some o5's are beefed up. In my case the spider gear failed. Not a single spline was completely intact.

Wallrat · 02-13-2007, 05:46 AM

My new rear diff had the exact same part # as the old one. Was changed out last May.

54warrior · 02-13-2007, 11:49 AM

Well, I haven't had any of the klunking that everyone else in the other postings say they are experiencing. Guess I'll just wait it out. Don't have a garage and there is 3" of snow outside. Won't be changing rear diff fluid to find out anytime soon.

blkbelt65 · 02-14-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevestitan

From what I've been told and read the replacement rear diff is a better unit and the parts that are prone to fail in the early 04's and some o5's are beefed up. In my case the spider gear failed. Not a single spline was completely intact.

I'm not really sure model year applies to this issue. There has been more than one post from guys with 06's. So, did they not change them at all for 2006???

rjp06titan · 02-16-2007, 06:36 AM

i have had two rearends replaced on my 06 2wd titan due to rearend whine at speed 50 to 60mph. the third is doing the same thing all with only 7000 miles on truck. rearend have not been improved. whine start around 500 miles after replacement.

blkbelt65 · 02-16-2007, 06:39 AM

Anyone think maybe the axle itself on these trucks with the repeated failures may be the issue, maybe it's bent somehow and not the diff. itself?

54warrior · 02-16-2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkbelt65

Anyone think maybe the axle itself on these trucks with the repeated failures may be the issue, maybe it's bent somehow and not the diff. itself?

Seems unlikely to me, but I'm no expert.