Difference between diff and wheel bearing whine

[Azzamk2]

My jzz30 has had a whine coming from the rear end since I purchased it. Just wondering how I go about figuring out weather it's the diff or wheel bearings making the whine?

[4th surf]

Jack it up and release the handbrake. Try to wobble the wheels and if they move then wheel bearings, grab drive shaft and if it moves up and down at the diff end you are either looking at U/Js or a diff pinion bearing. Also drop the diff oil out and see what colour it is

[lexsmaz]

Often but not always diff bearing noise will / can change when either on or off load / throttle, also if its whine it can be crown wheel & pinion noise which will also change under load or coast etc .. Where as a wheel bearing will not change noise wise ..

Also again sometimes driving down the road & lightly swerving from one side of the road to the other if its wheel bearing only, the noise will / can change ..

And has been mentioned try jacking it up & get under the car with the wheels rotating & try to listen where the noise is coming from, not easy sometimes ..

If you dont have any luck it might be easier to take it somewhere for a proffesional opinion too ..

[jb_22]

^^ + 1 for above info.. Try different gears/loads/speeds to see if the whine comes and goes... coasting down an empty road and gradually swerving is the easiest way I've found to check axle/wheel bearings..

Fulcrum does free suspension/driveline checks, so a trained ear might help you out too

[Azzamk2]

Well I did suspect rear passenger wheel bearing and on the way to work this morning I did abit of swerving and every time the weight was on the drivers side the sound disappears so I'm pretty certain it was the bearing I suspected! Cheers guys