What noises does a failing differential make?

Summary:

Jaden breaks differential noise down by failure mode. The most common failure is the bearings, which produce a constant whining noise. A failing ring and pinion produces a different pattern, typically making noise on one side only, so the whine appears either on throttle or off throttle rather than constantly. Carrier bearing failure is a third case: when the carrier bearings fail they allow the carrier to walk back and forth, which also causes a whine that shows up either on or off throttle. He then covers a separate category of sounds. A chipped tooth on the ring gear or pinion produces a clicking noise while driving, and broken spider gears also produce a click, which he notes tends to appear specifically when turning. The distinction between a constant whine and an intermittent click points to different internal damage.

Answer:

So a failing differential, that can fail in a few different ways. The most common one is the bearings fail, and it'll make a whining noise with that. Usually the bearings, when the bearings fail, it'll be a constant whining noise. There is times when you have a failing ring and pinion, and a lot of times a failing ring and pinion will make noise on one side. So either it'll make a whining noise when you're on the throttle or when you're off the throttle. The other thing is sometimes it'll happen when the carrier bearings will fail and it'll allow the carrier to walk back and forth, and that will also cause a whine either on the throttle or off the throttle. The other thing that it can do would be if you have a chipped tooth on the ring gear or the pinion, it'll make a clicky noise as you're driving. If the spider gears are broken, it'll make a clicky noise. Like if it's a chipped tooth or something, it'll make a clicky noise when you're turning.