Differential howling / whining == $3000? (help?)
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
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Differential howling / whining == $3000? (help?)
Hi ClubLexusGurus,
I'm looking for some advice about a problem I'm having with my 1994 SC400. My car has been making a loud whining / howling noise from what sounds like the center console that seems to follow the RPMs (especially in second gear). What's weird is that this noise goes away after driving the car for a little while (i.e. it only makes this noise when cold). After having the car for a week-and-a-bit and hooking up chassis ears the local Lexus dealership (Steven's Creek) are fairly confident it's a problem with the differential. They have suggested that I replace the whole part (until then I didn't know the differential was a 3000 car part
). I initially thought this could have something to do with the transmission fluid (that I got them to replace last time I took the car in). I took the car to another mechnic and I believe he used the wrong tranny fluid (after searching through this forum it seemed that this could be the problem, but alas ... ).
Any advice as to whether:
1) This sounds like a reasonable diagnosis
2) Whether the part price (~$3000) is accurate
3) Whether I should look for a second hand diff (where?) Are parts from other years usable?
4) Are there any possibilities as far as rebuilding the differential?
Any help would be much appreciated! If I outlay the full amount for this repair that would take my post-2nd-hand-buying car expenses to greater than the actual car cost (and I haven't fixed the leather yet!). All this for a 5-star reliability rated car (I must have got heftify swindled).
t.
I'm looking for some advice about a problem I'm having with my 1994 SC400. My car has been making a loud whining / howling noise from what sounds like the center console that seems to follow the RPMs (especially in second gear). What's weird is that this noise goes away after driving the car for a little while (i.e. it only makes this noise when cold). After having the car for a week-and-a-bit and hooking up chassis ears the local Lexus dealership (Steven's Creek) are fairly confident it's a problem with the differential. They have suggested that I replace the whole part (until then I didn't know the differential was a 3000 car part
). I initially thought this could have something to do with the transmission fluid (that I got them to replace last time I took the car in). I took the car to another mechnic and I believe he used the wrong tranny fluid (after searching through this forum it seemed that this could be the problem, but alas ... ).Any advice as to whether:
1) This sounds like a reasonable diagnosis
2) Whether the part price (~$3000) is accurate
3) Whether I should look for a second hand diff (where?) Are parts from other years usable?
4) Are there any possibilities as far as rebuilding the differential?
Any help would be much appreciated! If I outlay the full amount for this repair that would take my post-2nd-hand-buying car expenses to greater than the actual car cost (and I haven't fixed the leather yet!). All this for a 5-star reliability rated car (I must have got heftify swindled).
t.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
haha -- nice.
So lets see, it seems the options are
1) buy a diff from a wrecked/trashed SC400 (600-800 or so?) Would other year SC400 diffs work? How about SC300 diffs?
2) replace with a LSD (where can I source one? new used? from used 95 supra || TRD?)
3) rebuild my current diff. Can this be done?
I'm kinda keen to get the lexus dealership to replace the part for me -- would they be happy to put in an LSD part, or does it need more fiddling than the stock diff? Alternatively if someone else could recommend somewhere good in the SF bay area that would work for me too!
Sorry -- I'm a noob and not much of a mechanic.
t.
So lets see, it seems the options are
1) buy a diff from a wrecked/trashed SC400 (600-800 or so?) Would other year SC400 diffs work? How about SC300 diffs?
2) replace with a LSD (where can I source one? new used? from used 95 supra || TRD?)
3) rebuild my current diff. Can this be done?
I'm kinda keen to get the lexus dealership to replace the part for me -- would they be happy to put in an LSD part, or does it need more fiddling than the stock diff? Alternatively if someone else could recommend somewhere good in the SF bay area that would work for me too!
Sorry -- I'm a noob and not much of a mechanic.
t.
take the diff to a regular mechanic, they can usually install it for you... not a big deal... definitely dont pay the dealership to install it; they will bend you over and give it to you 
i'd take VSsc400's offer... thats a really good deal
i'd take VSsc400's offer... thats a really good deal
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,252
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From: Florida
I priced out a 6 speed rear end at toyota and my cost was 1700, i dont see why yours would be 3000.
Oh yeah, I have 2 sc400 diffs and 2 sc300 diffs sitting in the back room about to get thrown out. They're just taking up space.
Oh yeah, I have 2 sc400 diffs and 2 sc300 diffs sitting in the back room about to get thrown out. They're just taking up space.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 64
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From: Michigan
Let my consult my maps...
Originally Posted by trystanu
Alternatively if someone else could recommend somewhere good in the SF bay area that would work for me too!
Originally Posted by VSsc400
if you are close to NYC I can deliver it to you.
I'm sorry... I'm a jerk. I know I shouldn't pick on people smarter than me!
the item was shipped out yesterday via fedex, insured to the full amount of the transaction with tracking number.
Weight 95lbs package weight
insured to full price of the unit + shipping cost
tracking number issued
item picked up by fedex at 6pm
item boxed with 5 layer corrugation bottom,
hard foam piece protecting all moving parts
other interior packed with hard foam to keep the unit from moving around
48feet of 2" wide packaging tape (yes I used 2 x 24feet rolls)
Weight 95lbs package weight
insured to full price of the unit + shipping cost
tracking number issued
item picked up by fedex at 6pm
item boxed with 5 layer corrugation bottom,
hard foam piece protecting all moving parts
other interior packed with hard foam to keep the unit from moving around
48feet of 2" wide packaging tape (yes I used 2 x 24feet rolls)
Nice. I usually cover the package with at least 3 layers of packaging tape.
The guy who picks up my packages always gives me a weird look.
Don't go to the dealer to get this unit installed, they'll try to rape you just on labor.
Take it to a regular mechanic, or if you really can't find one, I'll swap it for ya. =)
~Alan
The guy who picks up my packages always gives me a weird look.
Don't go to the dealer to get this unit installed, they'll try to rape you just on labor.
Take it to a regular mechanic, or if you really can't find one, I'll swap it for ya. =)
~Alan
Originally Posted by SPORTcoupe
Nice. I usually cover the package with at least 3 layers of packaging tape.
The guy who picks up my packages always gives me a weird look.
Don't go to the dealer to get this unit installed, they'll try to rape you just on labor.
Take it to a regular mechanic, or if you really can't find one, I'll swap it for ya. =)
~Alan
The guy who picks up my packages always gives me a weird look.
Don't go to the dealer to get this unit installed, they'll try to rape you just on labor.
Take it to a regular mechanic, or if you really can't find one, I'll swap it for ya. =)
~Alan
yeah this one went out with at least 10 layers of packaging tape. I wasn't about to take any chances.
Originally Posted by lexiss_sc400
Why dont you try hitting up the junk yards around you, you will be able tp pick one up for way less than that, or just get a LSD 
Tommy
Tommy
