Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

My diff doesn't leak (PO has done seals & bearings etc) but starts to gently whine at 50mph on moderate throttle - either back off or hit the pedal and it stops.

It sounds like a bad alignment of pinion and crownwheel might be the cause but, in any case, I'm not sure how much of a worry this is.

Advice greatly appreciated.

G'Day Stuart.
The diff (3.5) in my elan does the same... but it has done a big mileage, if a diff has been reco'd the preload setting may be the cause. But the 3.9 diff I sometimes use is very quiet at all times.

Several decades ago I had a triumph from new and the diff had a bad period whine at 100KPH... it was stripped and reset three times in the workshop... it made no difference, simply gave up on it in the end.

Col
From Victoria.

Stuart,

I just went through the same experience. I posted it.

New Drive shafts
New top diff mounts
New bottom mounts
In the end a fresh Diff' rebuilt by an expert
Red line oil.
Ran it in etc.l

I have virtually go rid but there is still a little whine as you say when not under heavy load or not coasting. I would live with It. Must have put ?650 into this. By the time I got the newer diff', the old one (that had been rebuilt) was starting to become more quiet.

If everything is sound in the area and you have no vibration, I would run it. You could try some Red Line diff' oil as Rohan suggested.

Regards Mike


PS Sorry, could not resist, what is it singing? Elvis

Thanks guys - I'll tuck the cash I would have spent into my ears.

Redline diff oil it is.

Mike - I think it was singing either "Across the Universe(al)" by John Lennon or "Ring(gear) Ring(gear)" by Abba