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D18 T/c Noise/whine

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Renegade ll, Dec 25, 2018.

  1. Dec 25, 2018
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    My 1971 cj5 has a rebuilt d18 t/c. When I get to about 45 mph the noise is pretty loud. Is there any way to make it quite down? Maybe different gear oil or additive? Sounds like high pitch bearing whine. I thought the newer intermediate shaft would be quieter.
     
  2. Dec 25, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Was there any wear inside the intermediate gear? New roller bearings? New quality shaft? New thrust washers?
    With these items adressed, a D18 should be relatively quiet.
    -Donny
     
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  3. Dec 26, 2018
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    I'm gonna be that guy and ask for a video. This could prove educational.

    Even put your device right on the floor or on the transmission hump for best noise results. (y)

    All you guys with running/driving Jeeps don't know how good you've got it...
     
  4. Dec 26, 2018
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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  5. Dec 26, 2018
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    not saying this is the problem . but you know there's a bushing in between front output and main shaft
    just see if you can wiggle front shaft yoke
     
  6. Dec 26, 2018
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    You would think with a freshly rebuilt tc it would be somewhat quieter. Maybe something was missed during the rebuild.
     
  7. Dec 26, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Relatively quiet is the central point here. The Dana 18 is louder than the Dana 20 because the intermediate shaft turns all the time, and the angle of the gear teeth is likely less than it would be if quiet were the aim rather than strength. The Dana 20 was promoted as the "silent" transfer case because it made a lot less whine than the D18. Modern chain-driven transfer cases are noticeably quieter than the D20 or D300. Still, a healthy D18 should not deafen you or drive you crazy. But you can hear it.
     
  8. Dec 26, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    If the slip joint in the rear driveshaft has ever been apart, make certain it was put together again in-phase. The spring-clips of the yokes should be perfectly aligned. (If the shaft were sitting on a bench, the flats of the yokes should rest square on the surface.)
     
  9. Dec 26, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    A whine could be coming from gears, bearings generally produce more of a roaring type sound.
     
  10. Dec 26, 2018
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    I think what I am hearing is a normal noise. Between the SM465 and the D-18 I prefer strength over quiet. Just not used to the setup.
     
  11. Dec 26, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    If there is anything worn on that intermediate gear and associated parts, the gear tries to walk back and forth against the thrust washers. A little more wear, the gear can cock slightly on the shaft, and things start really getting loud as the gear teeth mesh is affected. Probably 90% of the T/C noise is associated with the intermediate gear. When that gear is installed to proper specs, the T/C makes some gear noise, but its not very loud.
    -Donny
     
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  12. Dec 26, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Not that it means much as it is all individual perception, but when I rebuilt mine with novak kit it was still pretty darn loud whine. Better than before but much like you say...when the speed got up to 45 or so you definitely notice it. Then I added the tera low gears and its even louder.
     
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  13. Dec 26, 2018
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I had my d18 rebuilt once with a Novak shaft by a local builder. With a soft top on and doors, I preferd ear plugs. After some transgressions I shipped my d18 to Herm to be rebuilt with one of his shafts and a new intermediate gear. Still just as loud. Shipped my intermediate gear to gruff and had it machined for aa tapered bearing shaft. Somewhat quieter and ran cooler, but still annoying with a soft top on.
    I drive my Jeep at highway speeds often for 2 or 3 hours to get to my destination. I am currently installing a terra low d20 for its highway manners. I’m saving this tricked out d18 for when the right 3b finds me and I build a ranch road jeep.
     
  14. Dec 27, 2018
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Thanks to everyone who replied. I will just turn the radio to full blast to drown out the noise. lol
     
  15. Dec 28, 2018
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    One big thing to remember is that very few of us are using our jeeps in the fashion that they were designed to be used. When the D18 was first designed 45mph would have been moving along at a pretty good clip. If I never ran my top and doors, the D18 noise wouldn't bother me that much.
     
  16. Dec 28, 2018
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Another is to remember no one on this board was alive when the dana 18 was designed.
     
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