FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

I seem to have picked up a noise in the driveline on my FE, It sounds like the noise a stick on a fence makes only not as loud. It only happens when there is no load on the engine (Backing off slightly) The car has a standard grey motor driveline exempt for the diff being a 3:55

Any Idea what it could be.

Les

You could have the problem I posted in the general board back in August called vibrations. There is a piece of cardboard tube inside the tailshaft that can cause problems, may be worth checking out.
Regards, Jim

Les I also had the same noise last weekend when I took my foot off,I pulled the engine out and found my flywheel had come loose.

I was touching a little bit better than 7 Gs when it happened though.

Gary.

The noise is at any speed

Les

You could try your uni joints.

I changed the rear uni joint in South Australia on the way home from the Nats and the front seemed ok, maybe that's the answer.

Les

I have now changed both uni joints and I still have the noise so I can eliminate the tailshaft, the noise is louder when the drive line is at operating temperature, and still when the driveline is not under load.

Anybody have any ideas.

Les

Is the 3.55 LSD? They can get noisy to the point where they sound creaky if you only use standard diff oil. Regards, Martyn

Im having similar issues so i ordered 2 new wheel bearings.
I recently fitted another diff with another set of axles and another centre so its either the centre or the wheel bearings .
As it never did it before .
Im putting my money on the bearings so they are the first to get changed.

Try it while parked with engine running, in gear, and foot on clutch.
If noise still happens on part throttle, it will usually be engine bearings (more likely big-end or conrod).
Or, as Gary C said, flywheel bolts.

Then try it while parked with engine running, in neutral, and foot off clutch.
If noise still happens then it is in the gearbox.

Happy hunting!
Prof

Output [or rear shaft] does not move in neutral ?

The diff is a 3:55 but it is not an LSD.

I will have go at the other things listed

Les

If it moves while you're parked then you've got a whole lotta probs. ;D

Prof

Les

It could still be your tailshaft, as Jim mentioned there is a cardboard role inside the shaft, a few people on the forum have had the same issue. over the years the glue perishes and the role then floats around inside throwing out the balance.

Will see if I can find Jims post.

Hi Les,

Can you give more info on your noise issue?
Is it consistent with engine RPM?
Is it consistent with tail shaft RPM?
Is it consistent with wheel RPM?
Do you get a vibration at all or is it just noise?

Regards Seb

Seb,
There is no vibration and is not consistent with engine revs
More with Tailshaft and wheel speed.

Les

Hi Les,

The noise should be consistent with the RPM of whatever is spinning.
The tail shaft spins at three and a half times more than the rear wheels. For every three and a half tail shaft RPM the rear wheel turns once.
So is it consistent with tail shaft RPM or wheel RPM?
Its a bit like tappet noise. You know its a tappet noise and not piston noise because the camshaft rotates at half engine RPM if that makes sense to you and vice versa.

If noise is at wheel RPM, have a look at the brakes in case something has come loose.
Check that the shoes are hard up against the backing plate.
Look for signs of any abnormal wear on the brake linings. Rub chalk on the linings and adjust the brakes a little snug and rotate a couple of times. Back off the adjustment, remove the brake drum and see how the linings are making contact with the brake drum.
Sometimes if the brake drum is not true or is scored it can pull the brake shoe away from the backing plate.

If noise is at a higher RPM I would look at the cardboard/tail shaft scenario or the gearbox extension housing.

Hope this helps, look forward to your findings.

Regards Seb

Hi Les,
It's now over a month, what have you found mate?
Prof.