I have a '95 legacy L, AWD, Auto, 110K, and have what I believe is gear whine coming from the rear differential. It shows up at 50mph, gets louder until 65, then goes away if you go above 65. The noise also goes away if you take off power (lift foot off of pedal), and comes right back when you reapply power.

 

I am suspicious of the rear diff. I changed the fluid out hoping it was dirty or low, and that didn't help.

 

It is getting annoyingly loud. Anyone encounter this one? I have a feeling I might need to replace the diff with a used one.

I have a '95 legacy L, AWD, Auto, 110K, and have what I believe is gear whine coming from the rear differential. It shows up at 50mph, gets louder until 65, then goes away if you go above 65. The noise also goes away if you take off power (lift foot off of pedal), and comes right back when you reapply power.

 

I am suspicious of the rear diff. I changed the fluid out hoping it was dirty or low, and that didn't help.

 

It is getting annoyingly loud. Anyone encounter this one? I have a feeling I might need to replace the diff with a used one.

 

rear diffs rarely fail unless they are run dry. if the fluid was clean, no metal in it, then i would suspect a rear wheel bearing, they make noise. but i've not dealt with one yet so i do not know if noise at certain speeds is normal. try putting in the FWD fuse to see if no power to the rear end makes a difference.

Pretty sure it's not wheel bearings, I've had those go out, and it is a continuous noise (does not matter if power is being applied or not), and much lower in tone (a growl instead of a higher pitched whine), and they would not go away the faster the car goes. Good news is the local scrap yard has a few used diffs for $95. They look like they'd be pretty simple to swap out, as well.

to test if its your rear diff just take the fwd fuse out. you will know then. who knows could be different things causing that

I have the same problem as you described for a while. The car still drive fine except the whine noise. I checked/replaced the rear diff fluid and no change.

I put in the FWD fuse and the noise went away, I suspect the rear diff or drive shaft carrier bearing is faulty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a '95 legacy L, AWD, Auto, 110K, and have what I believe is gear whine coming from the rear differential. It shows up at 50mph, gets louder until 65, then goes away if you go above 65. The noise also goes away if you take off power (lift foot off of pedal), and comes right back when you reapply power.

 

I am suspicious of the rear diff. I changed the fluid out hoping it was dirty or low, and that didn't help.

 

It is getting annoyingly loud. Anyone encounter this one? I have a feeling I might need to replace the diff with a used one.