Differential failure or wheel bearing??

[khalimadeath]

So ive had a noise for a while, 4+ months. I only started to really notice it a few months ago then realized it had been there for a while. The noise is a humming low rumbling noise. So the first thing that popped into my mind was wheel bearing, the more I drove the bus the more I thought that may not be the issue.

Symtoms:

Humming when in 3rd and 4th gear going strait, the noise goes away when I turn left in these conditions, it remains when I turn right. The noise also goes away when let off the throttle in any direction at any speed, off throttle = no noise. It is not noticeable in 2nd and 1st gear.

So this is what made me hesitant to check the wheel bearings. The CV joints are freshly packed and installed as of 3k miles ago. The were inspected by me when I took them out and I re installed them correctly. They did not appear to be worn in any way.

Thoughts?

If transmission, if I cannot find a place locally, whats a good place to order from?
_________________
The United States Constitution
(c) 1787. All Rights Reserved


1970 Bus Westfalia
1964 Kombi

[busdaddy]

Sure sounds like a wheel bearing, jack it up and spin the LH wheel for a listen, wiggle it as well.
Also check the LF, sometimes noises come from deceptive places.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[SGKent]

check the lug nuts and the drum for cracks. It may be that or as Mark suggested, wheel bearings. Were it me I would also check my fluid level in the trans and the bolts that hold the CV joints on. Normally a differential ring gear howl doesn't change much with turns but it does change with load. CV, wheel bearings, lug nuts, cracked drums change with load and turning.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[khalimadeath]

I suppose I can do that again, when I adjusted the brakes about a month ago all the wheels spun smoothly before I had the brakes adjusted to friction.. The reason I hesitated to think it was a wheel bearing is because I inspected and greased all of them in June.. although I guess its hard to tell if one of the rollers is going out..
_________________
The United States Constitution
(c) 1787. All Rights Reserved


1970 Bus Westfalia
1964 Kombi

[Cap10323]

Sounds like a wheel bearing to me. I recently replaced a rear wheel bearing that was causing a humming/rumbling that I was convinced was rear differential in my Subaru Legacy. I assumed diff because as soon as I let off the gas it went away.

It was the wheel bearing... I went out and bought a replacement diff and everything.
_________________
-Ian

'77 Westfalia - 2.0 F.I

[khalimadeath]

[wcfvw69]

[hazetguy]

[Wildthings]

You may be able to detect a failing wheel bearing because it will give off a bit more heat than a good bearing. You would probably have to make a highway run of several miles and then coast to a stop with minimal use of the brakes to detect this.

[richparker]

I found I could hear my wheel bearing going bad while cornering, everybody has a different story to tell.

If transaxle work/replacement is needed I'd use Arizona Transaxle. They even ship.
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[khalimadeath]

[khalimadeath]

[djdh68dlux]

Make sure the big axle nuts are torqued down tight enough. Years ago, mine started with the humming sound, thought it was a bearing. Then one day I end up stranded as I could hear the transmission spinning, but no power to the wheels. Immediately thought my trans was screwed, then realized the axles were turning, just not the drum. The axle nut had loosened itself and the splines in the drum that ride on the axle had been stripped/sheared smooth. Had to buy a new drum and bought one of these: http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D7045
Problem solved!
Good luck, hope you find the answer you're looking for.
_________________
1968 Deluxe "Clipper L" Type 2

Looking for a VW club in Southern California? Check out Inland Valley Volkswagens: www.ivvw.org

[khalimadeath]

I torqued them about 4k miles ago and installed the cotter pin, I suppose I can check again tho.
_________________
The United States Constitution
(c) 1787. All Rights Reserved


1970 Bus Westfalia
1964 Kombi

[Wildthings]