Joining the rear diff club

[Map18TTourX]

For the past 4 weeks i have been getting a noticeable humming sound when driving from 60-75MPH. Only when you coast then feather the gas peddle to stay around that 60-75 mark.

I finally took it to a Chevy dealer near my new job. (no buick dealers around where i work)

To my surprise the mechanic heard the noise and confirmed the sound was coming from the rear diff. Speaking with the service writer they or the GM dealer tech-line didn't know how to fix it. Went to pick up the car and they tell me they are ordering a complete new rear diff assembly.

Tourx
White needles (build date 6/18)
23,399 miles.
I live in New Hampshire. heavy snow driving.

 

[MelsRegal]

On a older rear drive car that noise is a symptom of a incorrectly adjusted ring and pinion gear set.

 

[Uniqez]

For the past 4 weeks i have been getting a noticeable humming sound when driving from 60-75MPH. Only when you coast then feather the gas peddle to stay around that 60-75 mark.

I finally took it to a Chevy dealer near my new job. (no buick dealers around where i work)

To my surprise the mechanic heard the noise and confirmed the sound was coming from the rear diff. Speaking with the service writer they or the GM dealer tech-line didn't know how to fix it. Went to pick up the car and they tell me they are ordering a complete new rear diff assembly.

Tourx
White needles (build date 6/18)
23,399 miles.
I live in New Hampshire. heavy snow driving.

No warning on the dash?

 

[Map18TTourX]

No warning on the dash?

no

 

[Loodle]

Hmm, I feel like I have heard something similar around the same speed, and only when on the gas. Will have to see if I can reproduce it, I think there was a topic before that suggested it could be the noise reduction system.

 

[mike69440]

For the past 4 weeks i have been getting a noticeable humming sound when driving from 60-75MPH. Only when you coast then feather the gas peddle to stay around that 60-75 mark.

I finally took it to a Chevy dealer near my new job. (no buick dealers around where i work)

To my surprise the mechanic heard the noise and confirmed the sound was coming from the rear diff. Speaking with the service writer they or the GM dealer tech-line didn't know how to fix it. Went to pick up the car and they tell me they are ordering a complete new rear diff assembly.

Tourx
White needles (build date 6/18)
23,399 miles.
I live in New Hampshire. heavy snow driving.

So you own the other TourX in NH? 😉

How many miles on yours? I've got 13K on mine, 8-18 build date & other than the snow tires is quiet at speed. Banks In Concord sells Buick also. Who was Chevy dealer did you bring it to? They seem to be treating you well.

 

[Ctrcbob]

For the past 4 weeks i have been getting a noticeable humming sound when driving from 60-75MPH. Only when you coast then feather the gas peddle to stay around that 60-75 mark.

I finally took it to a Chevy dealer near my new job. (no buick dealers around where i work)

To my surprise the mechanic heard the noise and confirmed the sound was coming from the rear diff. Speaking with the service writer they or the GM dealer tech-line didn't know how to fix it. Went to pick up the car and they tell me they are ordering a complete new rear diff assembly.

Tourx
White needles (build date 6/18)
23,399 miles.
I live in New Hampshire. heavy snow driving.

Are you saying that the Chevy Dealer is ordering the part and doing the repair under warranty?

I once spoke with my local Chevy dealer who told me that they could NOT do warranty work on the Buick. They could service, but not warranty work.

Who is right?

 

[Map18TTourX]

So you own the other TourX in NH? 😉

How many miles on yours? I've got 13K on mine, 8-18 build date & other than the snow tires is quiet at speed. Banks In Concord sells Buick also. Who was Chevy dealer did you bring it to? They seem to be treating you well.

Amsbury Chevy.
23K miles.

 

[Map18TTourX]

Are you saying that the Chevy Dealer is ordering the part and doing the repair under warranty?

I once spoke with my local Chevy dealer who told me that they could NOT do warranty work on the Buick. They could service, but not warranty work.

Who is right?

they had no problem with doing buick warranty work.
They already fixed my horn under warranty.

maybe yours just doesn't want to do the work.

 

[Map18TTourX]

update #1.

the rear diff is already at the Dealer.. took about a week from order to delivery..

dropping the car off next week.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Is this a lower-pitched droning type noise? Mine sounds like the drone of a prop bomber plane, just noticed it the first time today at highway speeds. Goes away with foot off the throttle.

 

[Hunter Mike]

Raise It in the air and put it in drive. All 4 wheels will turn. A mechanics stethoscope will pinpoint the loacation.

 

[Rhetoric]

Is this a lower-pitched droning type noise? Mine sounds like the drone of a prop bomber plane, just noticed it the first time today at highway speeds. Goes away with foot off the throttle.

This sound has been present since new on my car. It sounds like typical ‘turndown’ exhaust drone when the engine lugs in 8th at highway speed. Does not sound like a diff issue.

 

[Speedrcer05]

Is this a lower-pitched droning type noise? Mine sounds like the drone of a prop bomber plane, just noticed it the first time today at highway speeds. Goes away with foot off the throttle.

Mine has a similar issue. Notice it the most when I hit 60mph and hold it there. As soon as I let off the gas it goes away. My initial thought was it sounds like metal gears rotating in the absence of lubrication. During my next oil change the technician noticed the rear diff was leaking, so they replaced the seal.
I still notice the sound sometimes, but honestly since the weather has been warmer I haven't heard it as much.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Thanks Rhetoric. If that's all it is I can live with it. I drive in isolated areas frequently at 75 mph and notice it most then, when no other cars or background noise are present.

 

[768mph]

Did you get the front side windows tinted?

Did you have trouble finding a tint shop that would do it (as it is illegal, unfortunately here in MI)?

I would like to do it on the Tourx but would really prefer all side windows tinted (I just think it looks better).

I had it done on a car back in 1985, and the shop never even warned me, and it was before Google. Got one ticket over the 12 years I had the car. It was a fix-it ticket, so I would not have to pay the fine, if I proved the offending tint was removed. I chose to pay the fine as it was cheaper than removing and then adding the tint back on. Point was, I was never pulled over because of the tint (and it was pretty dark tint), but was for something else, and he nailed me for it.

Yes I did. I've never had a problem getting tint shops to do it for me down in the Metro Detroit area.

Is this a lower-pitched droning type noise? Mine sounds like the drone of a prop bomber plane, just noticed it the first time today at highway speeds. Goes away with foot off the throttle.

This sound has been present since new on my car. It sounds like typical ‘turndown’ exhaust drone when the engine lugs in 8th at highway speed. Does not sound like a diff issue.

Mine has a similar issue. Notice it the most when I hit 60mph and hold it there. As soon as I let off the gas it goes away. My initial thought was it sounds like metal gears rotating in the absence of lubrication. During my next oil change the technician noticed the rear diff was leaking, so they replaced the seal.
I still notice the sound sometimes, but honestly since the weather has been warmer I haven't heard it as much.

An option to assist with the long wagon reverberating noises is to remove the spare tire and kit, lay down some sound deadener, and test drive it.
The spare tire wheel will “amplify “ road/tire/exhaust notes throughout the cabin.
I have had success with this in many vehicles.

 

[bollox74]

An option to assist with the long wagon reverberating noises is to remove the spare tire and kit, lay down some sound deadener, and test drive it.
The spare tire wheel will “amplify “ road/tire/exhaust notes throughout the cabin.
I have had success with this in many vehicles.

there is no spare tire in a TourX

 

[768mph]

there is no spare tire in a TourX

It’s even easier then.

My mistake, waiting on my tourx to be delivered.
My suggestion remains the same, sans spare tire.

 

[bollox74]

It’s even easier then.

My mistake, waiting on my tourx to be delivered.
My suggestion remains the same, sans spare tire.

yes, you are correct - there is space under the rear deck you can add sound insulation to. I have no complaints abt road noise on my 18 Essence. Biggest difference I found was tire noise switching between winter and summer sets.

 

[FavaBean]

My mistake, waiting on my tourx to be delivered.

Food for thought when you do get your TourX.

https://buickforums.com/forums/threads/space-saver-spare-tire-size-tourx-essence.51727/

Now back to rear differential topic...