Hello All,

I just bought a 1995 xj6 with 112,000 miles. I've been reading posts concerning problems with the rear diff. I can't really tell if mine is bad or not. When I decelerate I can hear a faint but noticeable noise coming from the back. It's not a whine it's more like a faint rumble. Is the car supposed to be dead silent back there? If the diff is shot then is there a parts supplier that sells them?

Thanks

 

Yes its BAD,, BAD BOY,,, BAD BAD BAD, now go sit in the corner.....
it would more likely be one of the outer wheel bearings than the diff, but you have to diag on a lift with it running at speed to make the noise. and you listen with a stethoscope. Also may be able to check for freeplay and may show which side is if any is good or bad by feeling freeplay, and is a learned feel.

 

As Brutal says in his inimitable way, you have a problem, but it is fixable. If its the wheel bearings these are not too expensive, but the diff will cost quite a lot more. Best to get it checked out as Brutal says. Don't spend money on a hunch, it costs too much if you are wrong. The diffs are normally available as service-exchange items, at least they are here in the UK anyway. A huge amount then comes down to a large amount, but that's not much consolation is it ? I had a diff fail on a 1967 Mark 2 when I was particularly poor, (I'd spent all my spare cash on it). That thing really hurt, but now I cannot even remember the sum nearly 25 years later.

Life's Rich Pageant !

 

$2400.61 was the total cost to have my fresh rear end put in and back in action.

 

Thanks for the info. How hard is this job to do yourself? Has anyone done it? I try to do as much of my own work as possible.

 

I changed my own diff. Basically took a whole weekend. There's nothing very high tech about the job...just lots of wrenching. I just followed the steps in the manual. If your doing this in your garage without a hoist and something to lift the rear suspension sub-assembly back into place, a second set of hands will be very useful. Air tools are a plus as well, for certain steps, but not essential.

If you decide to do it yourself I'll post back with a few tips that might save you some time...and I'm sure othes will as well.

Cheers
DD