TrueTrac noises

[outono]

My 1998 D1 got some new gears and TrueTracs front and rear from GBR a couple weeks ago. From the get go, the TT in the front was noisy. Ratcheting sounds at low speeds when turning as well as random clunks and clanks. It's hard to tell if the rear is making much noise, but if it is I haven't noticed yet.

I just changed the diff oil after close to 500 miles and nothing looked too bad. The front had a couple small sized metal shavings, but otherwise both front and rear were pretty clean with only a little bit of metal powder and specs scattered throughout.

This was the largest shaving from the front


I've used conventional oil from the start - Mobil HD 80w90 and then Valvoline High Performance 80w90.

Bill says he's seen this before and that it just requires some break in, but Eaton's own website claims totally silent operation and no break in needed. Of course, if you Google this, these sorts of noises are well reported in other car forums.

Does anyone have any thoughts here or similar experience? Does it get better? The noise doesn't bother me, I just need to know that my diffs aren't going to grenade themselves.

One more thing: when I was changing the diff oil today, I noticed the front drive shaft has quite a bit of play. Is this normal?

 

[rovercanus]

Bill's full of shit. I've had TT's for years and never had noise coming from them just driving.

 

[discostew]

I think all that backlash is a problem. People used to complain about a clunk or clank when they put the truck in gear. There was a procedure Land Rover had in the workshop manual or maybe a bulletin. They had us take the prop shaft off and check the backlash like you’re doing in the video. When you move that pinion like that you have side gears/spider gears in play also. But that looks like a lot, and it could be the t case stopping it. Without the prop shaft it might go further.
Not to mention finding pieces of metal in the oil. Look at it with a bright flashlight and see if there’s metal suspended. If it’s been in the pan a while dump it and look for metal on the bottom of the pan.
The only noise I like hearing from a locker is that clicking on decel in a Detroit locker. That is a totally normal noise that everyone complains about.

 

[1of40]

I personally found Bill to be an upstanding member of the community. My NAS 90 is on the same TT and 4:11’s he sold me 20 years ago. My 90 has 200k these days and has had the same slop in the driveline since I picked it up with 30k miles. What I’d do is keep driving it replace the oil again in another 500. Maybe send a sample out for analysis wouldn’t hurt if you’re still hearing noise. IMO it’s too early for folks in the cheap seats to be slandering a guy that’s been doing this for as long as he has.

 

[RVR OVR]

I would give it 1000 miles and see what happens. The web site says no break in, but then it says it will operate smoother with age.

While Truetrac units do not require a break-in for operation, the gears do “lap” together. While the time required to fully lap the gears will vary depending on driving style and loads, the units will operate smoother with age.

I have a Truetrac front and Detroit rear and my rear made noise but my front never did.

 

[outono]

I also just want to say I found Bill to be a standup guy and when I first reported the noises to him, he replied in hours with a long email explaining his thoughts on whats going on and his history with these sort of noises.

Like I said earlier, I can deal with the noise, I just need to know these won't fail on me in the middle of nowhere.

Since there is no whine and no growling, I assume the gears are probably fine. The backlash seemed excessive to me.

Few more photos from the diff oil drain...

 

[discostew]

I personally found Bill to be an upstanding member of the community. My NAS 90 is on the same TT and 4:11’s he sold me 20 years ago. My 90 has 200k these days and has had the same slop in the driveline since I picked it up with 30k miles. What I’d do is keep driving it replace the oil again in another 500. Maybe send a sample out for analysis wouldn’t hurt if you’re still hearing noise. IMO it’s too early for folks in the cheap seats to be slandering a guy that’s been doing this for as long as he has.

People in the cheap seats got watch a video of him turning that pinion a country mile.

 

[kris812]

I posted once before elsewhere about break in procedures on gears to which most people said it wasn't needed or necessary. Basically it was 3 short 15 min runs, then oil change at 500 miles.

Now as for the Driveshaft play, mine appears to have 'about the same' when TC is unlocked.. Another thing to test is to Lock the TC diff and recheck that play..

If you Still have that much play, check your rear DS UJs as well! Maybe your drive axle flanges are worn near the wheels? Front CV axles toasted?

 

[rovercanus]

Wasn't Bill the one doing the slandering of Tom Woods?

 

[outono]

I posted once before elsewhere about break in procedures on gears to which most people said it wasn't needed or necessary. Basically it was 3 short 15 min runs, then oil change at 500 miles.

Now as for the Driveshaft play, mine appears to have 'about the same' when TC is unlocked.. Another thing to test is to Lock the TC diff and recheck that play..

If you Still have that much play, check your rear DS UJs as well! Maybe your drive axle flanges are worn near the wheels? Front CV axles toasted?

I saw your post, actually! Ill lock and check this evening.

CVs are in great shape, just did the front end a couple weeks ago. Rear DS is tight, but is showing some age. 260,000 miles and im not sure it's ever been serviced (at least not by me or the previous owner).

My TC is on its way out so maybe that's playing a role. Whines while driving (even with enough fluid in it) and leaks like a sieve. New one coming next week.

 

[discostew]

Since there’s not a bunch of metal suspended in the oil just keep driving it.

 

[Gordo]

I’ve had 3 trutacs. Still have two and they’re fronts and they are pretty quiet. Never heard any racket sounds. I did have one die but I really couldn’t find much wrong other than some worn ridges and a couple gear chips. It acted like a broken axle which was odd. Not much to them really and they’re tough. When I installed mine on the front I did follow this procedure to be sure the gears were installed correctly in the front. (I wasn’t sure which was front) Is it necessary? I don’t know but it’s worth mentioning. Bills a great guy so I’d listen to him though.

 

[p m]

No comment on upstanding citizens of Rover community, just my $0.02.
I have maintained for years that TrueTracs are completely silent - until I first heard the rear TT making ratcheting noise under very heavy load after I broke the front axle. Since then, I paid attention to that sound - it is uncommon, but it could be there.
I have never heard it on a new TT without any significant load, though.