Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train 1951 growling rear end.

When I recently installed a 1955 235 in my 51, I took the transmission to a shop and had it checked out and installed new bearings. I installed all new clutch pressure plate, 216 type in the 216 Bell Housing.
I had not driven this car for about 20 years and noticed that the drive line was noisy prior to yanking the 216. I put the car on my rack and let it turn in high gear. It is obvious that the noise is coming from the differental area and decreases as I move to the front towards the transmission and to each outer bearing on the wheels. I can't find anything in the manual about the front bearing adjust screw and lock nut as to how tight it should be or whether or not it could have an impact on the noise.
My big question, though, is there improvements I can make to the closed shaft rear end and keep my stock 3 speed transmission. I assume there is no way to keep the transmission and change out to an open shaft drive. I don't want to get into a major operation in improving my performance of the rear end. I've spent enough time up front. I'm sure glad I invested in that Bend Pac lift last winter.
Bob Blankenship

good Morin' Bob. if your rear end is similar to my '46 the bolts and locking nuts are just retain bolts for the bearing. The backlash is adjusted thru shims and it should be in your manual. Ive got to get my butt to work but I'll email you attach of the process to go thru your diff. when I get home.

When driving the car, is the sound constant or does it come and go depending on load condition?

Offhand, I'd say the pinion bearings are going south...

The sound increases as rev is increased. Push in clutch and sound decreases as winds down. Reverse is not near as noisy but is noisy. Locking down one wheel has no bearing on sound. Do 51 springs and shocks work with the 55-57? I have a road worthy 56 and I noticed recently it is noisy somewhere also. Must be the tires though, cause on the rack it is quite.
Thanks
Bob