Differential sound
 

No one any idea?
No one have same problem R3?

Drain differential oil and fill full to bottom of top hole; about 1.5 liters 75w90 synthetic gear oil. See if chunks in old oil. Drive until noise quits or differential quits. Use Mazda warranty to repair.

mine has no problem what so ever.

I definitely don't hear that kind of noise coming from the back of my 2009 RX-8 (and there's not much difference between my GT and the R3--the diff is the same).

its not completely quite tho. when I reverse and turning, I hear some noise from the diff.

I hear similar noise coming from the diff on my car during slow speed turning. It's not very loud but it is noticeable. It's been doing this since the car was brand new, so I don't think it's really an issue to worry about.
I plan on changing the oil in the transmission and diff in a few thousand miles anyway so we'll see if that makes any difference.

Hate to revive an old thread, but was there any update on this, I am having the same issues.

Similar issues and then some....
 

Hello all! I am new to this site, but seems like a great resource and loving all these RX8 photos and such....anyhow, I'm having any number of issues....haven't been babying my car as I normally would due to finances. I'm trying to logically troubleshoot and maybe pinpoint some problems so I can deal with them efficiently. I apologize in advance for limited knowledge on cars. I appreciate any help or insight I can get!!!

1) When I am in reverse and turning the wheel to the right, I get a strange noise coming from the rear that sounds like metal to metal (maybe) and appears to become stronger the tighter the turn. This was going on for a few weeks, then occasionally it will happen in reverse as before but cutting the wheel the other way. I have noticed it only once very slightly when backing out straight. Any idea what this could be? I was considering it could be differential fluid, and was thinking of trying REDRX3RX8's direction in previous post.

2) I swear when looking at my car from the rear at enough distance, it appears one side of my car is lower than the other. Any ideas what could cause something like this?

3) Perhaps in relationship to #1-2 above, I have noticed a huge change in the overall feeling of alignment or handling, specifically when making turns. In good weather, I take turns about 30mph and always want to apologize to my car for not taking it faster. I could feel or tell it could do so much more. Lately, I feel like it is much more sensitive in that I notice a pulling towards my rear right tire...like there is an adjustment being made while turning but it's sudden rather than smooth. If I wasn't aware or at higher speeds, it feels like I could spin the car out.

4) When I come to a stop, I notice some clanking noises coming from the back of the car. The harder the stop, the more pronounced the noise. If you stop slow enough, it is not even noticeable. Perhaps again something to do with 1-2 above or any ideas?

5) My check engine light is always on. I spent $130 at the dealership to have them fix the problem already. It stayed off a couple weeks and then back on blinking and now on permanently AGAIN. I noticed a direct relationship between the engine cover and the light, unless I'm crazy. I put the wide, far end onto the two red "prongs" and then bring the front down. Also the cover on my battery completely interfered with the main cover going down properly. Even upon removing the battery cover, and everything appearing to be aligned properly - it doesn't really snap into place as I would expect. When I first get the lid in there nice, the engine light goes off but soon enough it is back on again. Someone can sit in the car and see it coming on and off while I mess with the cover. Is it possible the check engine light is ONLY because of this cover? And if so, wouldn't this be considered a minor issue? I really don't wanna spend money to fix something that is not significant compared to other issues going on (plus who knows how long it will stay off for sure).

6) My warranty is out. According to my limited knowledge, the 5W-20 listed in the manual is only to meet US transmissions laws. Using different oil would void my warranty, but now it's gone so I'm just curious what kind of oil does this car really want? I'm not insinuating in any way that I would intentionally break the transmissions laws....the environment is definitely important to me. :fingersx: I mean that, but this is my mode of transportation and I need it to last. I have heard no long term testing has been done with synthetics, and that they actually wear down this type of engine much faster so I'm not interested in experimenting on my car with for example, the Royal Purple. I do add Lucas non-synthetic, and my car seems to like it. I am curious as to what the absolute, best oil I could possibly use for this car. Also, any suggestions for changes in viscosity for winter versus summer?

I am also open to any advise anyone wants to share on how to take good care of my baby!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY TIME AND HELP!!!

:batman:

Vroom Vroom

lilstardust

Hey, quick update.
I changed the oil in the transmission and differential over the weekend. The good news is that there was virtually no metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug. I thought that the oil was very dirty for the car with only 8000 miles on it.
Didn't get a chance to go on a test drive yet to see if there was any difference in the diff noise or "chatter."

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/differential-noise-205533/ Incase it will help anyone else out

finally test drove the car today and the noise is gone! everything is perfectly nice smooth and quiet now as far as I can tell. Very happy with the results.

Mike

I have a 2006 with 20K on it and would notice a grrring sound when starting from a stop turning right or left. It did not happen taking off straight. It would be noticeable when the car had been driven awhile and really warmed up. I did not notice it when it was not driven far or long. Once I had driven 1/2 way across the state and when I pulled away from a curb, it sounded just awful and I checked to see if one of my wheels was loose because it sounded like the wheel lugs could have been loose.

I thought I better take it in which is a pain because the dealer is far away. After I was in service for awhile, the manager finally came up and said the rear end was shot. They took the plate off and the oil smelled bad and there were metal shavings in it. I had to leave town for a month and said I could bring it back after that for the repair but they would not even let me drive it off the lot and gave me a loaner car for as long as I needed.

I had noticed the noise for probably almost a year before I took it in.

Thank goodness for Warranty.

Hate to beat a dead horse but... I am having the same issues. Bought my 06 RX-8 in January with 30,400 mi on it, and it made the chattering noise then, but thought it was just the limited slip diff. Finally got tired of it in August and took it into dealership number 1 at 34,500 mi. Test drove with tech and said he could not hear the noise even though I could. Brought it back in 8 days later, they proceeded to tell me that even at 35k mi the suspension is still being broken in, and that was probably just it.

Took it to dealership number 2 40 miles from my house in October at 35,700 mi stating that there was a chattering noise when turning and accelerating from a stop. The technician found that the differential fluid needed changed. Changed with 80w-90 fluid as well as an additive. Tech test drove and personally told me it was fixed. Seemed just fine until it warmed up and I got off the interstate. After they changed the fluid it defiantly helped, but did not go away completely. Took it back 2 weeks later, and after they let it sit out over night, then could not duplicate. Upon arriving back at home it started acting up again. They then told me to drive it a while and see what happens. I then decided I would take it to a parking lot and drive around a bit doing some circle 8's to get the additive into all the plates, did not help...

Decided to take it out a week and a half ago to do some Christmas shopping and it started chattering again right before I got home. Pulled into the garage and got out, and began to smell something burning. Stuck my nose in the rear wheel well, and found the source of the smell was back there. Took it to dealership number 3 today at 37,400 mi and made sure it was nice and warmed up when I got there. Tech test drove and thankfully heard it. Advised me that it was just the limited slip diff, then told him the 3 other RX-8's I have driven never acted up like this, it started to get better when the fluid was changed and now it is getting worse, and it only does it when the car as been driven for a while. Left the car there and picked up about an hour ago. They put more additive in it, which I did not tell them to do so that cost $63, and it still is not any better than it was when I brought it in, and could not address the burning smell.

I have been getting the chattering this whole time, but decided to take it back in when I started getting the burning smell. NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS????

Just a FYI...there are no plates in the LSD...it is a ( modified Torsen) gear type...so there should be no chattering noise from the " plates" that aren't there......

It is normal for a bit of noise..but a grinding..or anything that is loud enough to hear with the windows closed over the exhaust is something wrong

Did they check your brakes?

This dealership must be clueless too, today he even said "I checked the plates in there they seem to be fine" I just said whatever, I didn't have time to mess with it they made me late for work as it was.. Now that I think about it, the first time I took it in I think they said it was the clutch in the diff not plates. As far as the brakes, I don't think they are the issue. I replaced them in May, rotors and pads and it was still doing the exact thing after that as it was before.

I change the diff oil
strange sound down
Now it is to quite

The Torsen differential in the RX-8, being a gear-only diff, uses NO additive and is fine using the same fluid used in the transmission. It is only clutch-type differentials that require the friction-modifying additive.

Those of you whose dealer techs have installed "additives" may want to get that in writing in the event a warranty question comes into play.

We at BHR use Eneos 75W90 in both our differentials and transmissions but any gear oil that is acceptable for use in the trans will be fine for the differential as well. I have used Valvoline, Mobil1 (although that is no longer available without the LS additive), and several other brands I cannot recall and they were all fine.

Keep in mind that the noises you hear may also be a bad rear wheel bearing as we have seen a few of those lately.

The diff in the RX8 naturally makes some sounds in very low speed turns and is not a Torsen. Mazda uses the term 'Torque sensing' differential now since they are not using the Torsen type anymore.

A little noise is normal.

Paul.

Is it a matter of copyrighted semantics or is the Mazda differential a different version/design of "torque-sensing"?

Yeah, a complete different animal and they are doing advertising semantics :). They used 'Torsen' up to 2002 and then started stating super torque sensing which was not copyrighted. The diffs I believe are Tochigi Fuji units but the type is an old design I think going back to the 60s. They aren't bad in terms of strength. The torsens had multiple worm gears in them and were durable except for drag race type launches.

Paul.

Some more 'diff' trivia for you..

Out of the 4 (total) Differential Bearings in RX-8's, All bar one date back to 1967, so yes they are over 40 years old in design and use.

2x 0118-27-350A Main Bearings left and right of diff...first used in 1967.
1x 0604-27-220 Pinion Bearing, (Prop Shaft End) first used in Mazda B1500 pickup 1968.
1x R001-27-210 Pinion Bearing, (Gear end) first used in FD RX-7 1992.


Edit..
Yes Paul, like almost all of Mazda's RWD diffs....old design but a good one IMO.

Sounds more like your tyres.

This is normal.

The noise is your inside tyre rubbing sideways, it's nothing to do with the differential. This will occur on some surfaces, especially on course bitumen. The fix is there is no fix.

Differential noises are constant and would occur all the time ... not just when you're practicing a slow manouvre.

hi a need help do you think was it a good desicion to use motul gear300 on my gearbox

Hate to bring up the dead thread but I'm having the same problem here. It started two weeks ago, every time I drive on a downhill-uphill ramp to work I can hear a whining sound from rear axle. It happens exactly at the phase when I'm going uphill, sounds almost like tire rubbing but I have stock suspension and stock rims. I'm running on 245/40 tires and just did the alignment. Anyone have an idea of what this could be?