My 73 Duster has this growling noise coming from, I believe, either the tranny or rear end. The automatic tranny has been rebuilt but the noise was there before and after. There is new fluid in the tranny and rear end and all bearings and seals are new on axles. The ujoints are ok. It is a rythmic growling kind of noise like gear noise. It seems too loud to me. Any ideas what it could be and how to quiet it down or are they somewhat noisy. I can always just turn up the stereo I guess. Thanks.

Mike

Sounds like you need some new carrier bearings in your rear axle. This would be a good time to swap rear gear ratios, if you want, because this is pretty much a total teardown. On the other hand, you can generally keep going until you really get sick of the sound, or you have a convenient time to do the work. ( this does not mean the next calendar year! )

Greg

Does the growl change when cornering? How about drive vs. coast?
Any of the rear axle bearings (carrier, wheel, pinion) can make growls that echo through the housing and up the driveshaft.
Pay attention to changes in the noise during different conditions, and you can often narrow it down.
Since you did the axle bearings already, it's probably in the middle...

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Actually, I did NOT change out the rear axle bearings now that I think more about it. They appeared to be OK and I don't have a press so I only replaced the seals. The noise appears the same regardless of speed, cornering, etc. There is no center carrier bearing on this car so that leaves the axle bearings or pinion bearing. Maybe I'll find someone with a press and do the axles because I think the pinion may be beyond my tools/skills. I'll let y'all know how it comes out. Thanks.

Mike

My dearly departed 1975 Valiant had noise eminating from the rear axle that got louder over the years. It stayed the same on paved or gravel roads. The only thing that changed it (made it quieter) was applying the brakes. This led me to the outer axle bearings. The old ones were pitted. After installing new bearings I could hear the radio again!!

Well, I jacked it up, put it in gear and listened with a mechanic's stethoscope. It sounds like I am in luck and need only the outer bearings because the pinion bearing is pretty quiet while the outer bearing areas are quite noisy. I have parts ordered and a place to press the bearings on and off. Friday I will do that and see how it sounds on the road. I'll keep you posted. Thanks everyone.

Mike

I replaced the outer bearings and it drives nice and quiet...except for the Holley electric fuel pump.