noise in front diff of 1998 Caldina GT-T (manual)

[DanielA]

Go easy on me this is my first post.

I recently had my 2 front shocks changed and over the last few weeks since getting them done the front right diff has developed a ratlle. I thought at first it was the inner CV joint so I took it back to get the guys that did my shocks to have a look.

They think it's the bearings in the diff and said they would need to drop out the gear box to further investigate. They quoted me around $1800 to do this. Does this seem like a likely cause of a rattle? It seems to be most noticable when decelerating at low speed and sometimes when turning at certain angles. There's quite a bit of lateral movement where the inner CV joint goes into the diff. The left side is making a bit of noise but not as much as the right. The mechanic said this is a common problem with 4WDs is this true?

The plan at this stage is to drop the gear box out myself as I have a few mates who have done this before and know what they're doing (plus I can't really afford $1800+ at this stage).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The car has done around 125,000kms if that helps.

Oh also has anyone got a workshop manual for these cars? I had a bit of a search on here but it doesn't look like one exists in English.

[cedwards]

can you describe noise further?

From what you describe sounds the same as mine.

Turned out to be the inner cv after 2 mechanics diagnosed it being the diff (1 being toyota). cv alot cheaper to replace than pulling the box..
From what I've heard the cv's do start to get a bit noisey at those kms also.
Inner CV does have dome movement in and out of the box.

[DanielA]

I don't know how to better describe it than a rattling (makes the same noise when I get under the car and move the joint in and out of the diff with my hand).

[solitaire]

I don't know how to better describe it than a rattling (makes the same noise when I get under the car and move the joint in and out of the diff with my hand).

How far can you move it? there should be a little bit of in>out play, no crazy wiggling though, it shoudl stay straight and true if that makes sense.

[DanielA]

I'd say something in the order of 10mm but can't remember exactly. The drivers side definately moves more than the passenger side though and the rattling is getting louder when driving so whatever is the cause it's definately not normal.

[solitaire]

I'd say something in the order of 10mm but can't remember exactly. The drivers side definately moves more than the passenger side though and the rattling is getting louder when driving so whatever is the cause it's definately not normal.

10mm Sounds similiar to the 3s & 4a engines i have worked on. Aggree that the sound isn't normal but all i am trying to suggest is that it isnt nessasarily the dif.

The inner cv joint suggested by the guys sounds like a good first move.

[DanielA]

I'll have a look at it next time I get under there. Regarding my other point does anyone have a workshop manual for the GT-T caldinas?

[solitaire]

I'll have a look at it next time I get under there. Regarding my other point does anyone have a workshop manual for the GT-T caldinas?

http://forums.toyspeed.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=66290

Have a look at this above.

Email mark at manawatu toyota, i was going to suggest a haynes manual, but it doesnt look like they do one.

[1I1]

Didn't fivebob do something regarding a Caldina workshop manual if my memory serves me right?

[DanielA]

Removed the drive shafts on the weekend and had a look and feel of the bearings that sit next to the spline for the drive shaft in the diff and they seem ok. Also drained the gear box oil and it looks ok (not metal filings or flakes). The inner CV joints look and feel ok as well, but I may change them first as that's a relatively cheap job.

The drive shafts pulled out of the diff really easily and the circlip that holds them in seemed to be bent out of shape on both the drivers and passenger side. Not sure if this is contributing to the rattling.

It look's like the box has been out before as I can see orange sealing gasket cement oozing out through the joins. Not sure what would have been done as the car has only done 130,000km.

[sergei]

Removed the drive shafts on the weekend and had a look and feel of the bearings that sit next to the spline for the drive shaft in the diff and they seem ok. Also drained the gear box oil and it looks ok (not metal filings or flakes). The inner CV joints look and feel ok as well, but I may change them first as that's a relatively cheap job.

The drive shafts pulled out of the diff really easily and the circlip that holds them in seemed to be bent out of shape on both the drivers and passenger side. Not sure if this is contributing to the rattling.

It look's like the box has been out before as I can see orange sealing gasket cement oozing out through the joins. Not sure what would have been done as the car has only done 130,000km.

orange silicone oozing out through the joints - it comes like that from factory.

[DanielA]

Oh that makes me feel a little better. I didn't think it looked standard.

[mulac]

Mines doing the same thing. More of a clicking sound than a rattling sound, but makes the sound when decelerating. Taking mine in for WOF next week so will ask the Mechanic and let you know what they say, I suspect inner CV.

[DanielA]

After further investigation I noticed theres a bit of radial movement in the drivers side inner CV so I will try and find somewhere to buy a new one.