Differential Whine in 92Q45

[TheFly]

My mom's 92Q recently developed a whine coming from the rear. It increases linearly with speed, and there's a slight variation in the sound when I leave it in 3rd and get on and off the gas gently. From all this, I am suspecting a worn differential. I changed the fluid and found some metallic shavings put the sound did not improve.

My questions are as follows:

A. Does my diagnosis sound correct?

B. How much have people paid for replacement?

C. How difficult of a DIY job is it?

D. What year Q's have the same diff, in case I want to find a used one?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[PalmerWMD]

a: Yes.b. At dealer several thousand but you can get it much cheaper.c. not too difficult when considered how much you save:)d. 1990-1996.

Let us know when you start looking for a used one, we have one on NICO right now, thats in a wrecked 91 Q ( but diff is hi mile albeit extremely well maintained)

Fred...

[elwesso]

This would be a stellar time to switch the 4.08 gears... From a Ztt right???

[TheFly]

Thanks for the info. How many hours of a DIY job is it?

[elwesso]

Id say a good 3 or 4 hours, looking at the FSM..... It doesnt look too complicated, id definitely try it... You have to remove part of the exhaust, so that might be somewhat troublesome since its an old car.....

I can email you the differential section of the FSM.... Drop me a line....

[Rex]

Is the wrecked (lower mile) 94 still around?

[elwesso]

Are you talking about WUSHUP's Q.....? its still around, and he said he'd let it go for 1000 as is not shipped... I got a quote for $700 shipped to anderson.....

Id be in for $500 no questions asked....

[Q45tech]

Really the best swaps are the 90-93 in your 91 because of a change in the rear cover in 94-96. Also standard vs [Active/TCS] are different.

We charge $970 for a used replacement with a 12/12k warranty but many times we have to go thru 2 junkyard diffs to get a decent one. If you want we can swap a unit you supply [that is a direct replacement] [no warranty for $420 plus $50 refill with BG conditioner/80/90].........we buy them for $350-$400 delivered and mark up to $500 [for the warranty].

177k means somebody didn't change their fluids every 30k.....mine was just beginning at 235k [normal people wouldn't notice it............had to use a stethoscope to pinpoint the front diff shaft bearing.

[Q451990]

I think it would be a real bear to do DIY without a lift... Being in Atlanta and all, I'd seriously consider having it done at T3, or even diagnosed - maybe it's a wheel bearing instead?

Heath

[elwesso]

Thats a good point... In the FSM they had it outlined where they had the car on a lift (or ramps would do) and then they lowered it down with a jack... Pretty easy to me....

A wheel bearing would be MUCH cheaper than a differential anyway you looked at it.!!!

[Q45tech]

Actually the replacement of both rear wheel bearing would just about equal a used diff swap..........when one goes the other is not far behind.