Quafie Whine Question

tcw · 03-09-2013, 09:40 PM

After installing my VAC built Quafie last weekend, I have a slight high pitched whine when under light decel (engine braking in 6th at 70mph) or slight accel (cruise control on the interstate). It is not very loud, you can't hear unless the radio is off. The noise reminds me of the whine you hear when driving in reverse on most gear boxes.

Any ideas on what might cause this? Diff needing to be broken in? Improper build? Defiv lockdown NVH? I also have stock subframe bushings.

blisstik · 03-09-2013, 09:53 PM

Haha, that's the solid diff bushings. I have the same thing. It's normal.

Dmacc · 03-09-2013, 10:01 PM

Same noise I experience with my VAC built Quaife

tcw · 03-09-2013, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the replies. That's what I was hoping, but didn't see anything with a search.

enrita · 03-10-2013, 06:18 AM

the diff should not be making any noise at all. mine is totally silent.

tcw · 03-10-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enrita

the diff should not be making any noise at all. mine is totally silent.

Well mine is silent 99% of the time. It is just on the interstate when coasting or slight accel. Seems like I am not alone, so as long as it is not a problem I don't mind the noise (which you can't even hear unless the radio is off.)

jyeah · 03-11-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcw

Well mine is silent 99% of the time. It is just on the interstate when coasting or slight accel. Seems like I am not alone, so as long as it is not a problem I don't mind the noise (which you can't even hear unless the radio is off.)

I've been having a whine on my Wavetrac as well. It happens when the speed is > 65 mph (fairly audible around 75 mph) and engine rev around 2.5K RPM.

I'm not sure what it is. I also have the defiv lockdown kit installed.

ashmostro · 03-18-2013, 06:22 AM

Anything that hard-couples a diff to the chassis or subframe can enhance gear noise and cause whine. If you were running totally stock bushings with no lockdown and had whine i would be worried about backlash, but in your case I suspect all is fine.

joro2077 · 03-18-2013, 10:40 AM

Same here, VAC Quaife LSD, Defiv Lock kit, M3 subframe bushings and whining... Also when Im in high gear cruising and start to accelerate in same gear sometimes there is really loud noise coming from the differential, anyone else with same experience, is this normal?

DallasBoosted · 03-18-2013, 11:50 AM

I have a VAC-built OS Giken, with powerflex diff and subframe bushings. No noticeable gear whine.

joec500 · 03-18-2013, 11:52 AM

I also have the Difflockdown with Wavetrac, zero Whine at any speeds. Just some clunking when first engaging into Reverse.

ashmostro · 03-18-2013, 12:50 PM

It's the diff lockdown. Hard mount means no damping of the natural whine that's already there.

Stock, M3, or poly bushings will all have decreasing levels of isolation inherent to the design. That all goes out the window with a lockdown hard mount, or if you go with Delrin or otherwise solid diff mounts.

Subframe bushings have much less to do with this than diff bushings, unless again you are going full race delrin or Al bushings. Then you will have a lot more than just gear whine to add to your NVH!

3002 tii · 03-18-2013, 12:52 PM

Gear whine is NOT normal and I suspect it has to do with install, backlash tolerances. My first Quaife had whine and I had it rebuilt, no more whine afterwards.

ashmostro · 03-18-2013, 12:58 PM

Best thing to do is talk to VAC. They really do know their stuff especially when it comes to diff builds. I'd be really surprised if it is legit improper backlash given their expertise, but I will concede that it is possible.

cvc 22349a · 03-18-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcw

Well mine is silent 99% of the time. It is just on the interstate when coasting or slight accel. Seems like I am not alone, so as long as it is not a problem I don't mind the noise (which you can't even hear unless the radio is off.)

My Quaife did the exact same thing for the first thousand miles, changed the fluid and it went away. Stock diff and subframe bushings at the time.

tcw · 03-18-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joro2077

Same here, VAC Quaife LSD, Defiv Lock kit, M3 subframe bushings and whining... Also when Im in high gear cruising and start to accelerate in same gear sometimes there is really loud noise coming from the differential, anyone else with same experience, is this normal?

That sounds more like the traditional clunk people get when going into 1st or reverse. It would make sense if it did the same think when going from accel to decel. Although, I haven't heard any clunking in my case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joec500

I also have the Difflockdown with Wavetrac, zero Whine at any speeds. Just some clunking when first engaging into Reverse.

Maybe mine is on the tighter sides of tolerances and has slight wine, while yours is on the looser side and has minor clunking?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

My Quaife did the exact same thing for the first thousand miles, changed the fluid and it went away. Stock diff and subframe bushings at the time.

Interesting, did you use the same fluid?

kenneth · 03-18-2013, 06:51 PM

tcw, I experience same as you with Wavetrac, faint whine when letting off throttle!

tcw · 03-18-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

tcw, I experience same as you with Wavetrac, faint whine when letting off throttle!

Yea I think it is fine now, seems pretty common.

cvc 22349a · 03-18-2013, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcw

That sounds more like the traditional clunk people get when going into 1st or reverse. It would make sense if it did the same think when going from accel to decel. Although, I haven't heard any clunking in my case.

Maybe mine is on the tighter sides of tolerances and has slight wine, while yours is on the looser side and has minor clunking?

Interesting, did you use the same fluid?

NO. Installer used Redline 75/90; switched to Redline 75/90NS per HPA.

Brian_VACsales · 03-21-2013, 09:28 PM

These 'diff lockdown' kits logically introduce some sort of noise into your cabin. Same with solid bushings. Even poly bushings may add some extra N, V or H.

A diff should not whine, period. How people define 'whine' is very broad though. All cars IMO have some sort of driveline noise, esp if you are looking for it. Improper diff assembly whine is generally very evident and easy to ID.

Over the last few years, we have had a few people stop in since they were were concerned with whine. I took them for a ride in our stock E90 M3 or our not so stock E92 and the same 'whine' was evident - but it wasn't really a whine at all.

We put Redline 75W90NS in all Quaife diffs. Only OSG oil in the OSG diffs.

uniter · 03-21-2013, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@VAC

These 'diff lockdown' kits logically introduce some sort of noise into your cabin. Same with solid bushings. Even poly bushings may add some extra N, V or H.

A diff should not whine, period. How people define 'whine' is very broad though. All cars IMO have some sort of driveline noise, esp if you are looking for it. Improper diff assembly whine is generally very evident and easy to ID.

Over the last few years, we have had a few people stop in since they were were concerned with whine. I took them for a ride in our stock E90 M3 or our not so stock E92 and the same 'whine' was evident - but it wasn't really a whine at all.

We put Redline 75W90NS in all Quaife diffs. Only OSG oil in the OSG diffs.

My VAC built Wavetrac has the same noise. All good

tcw · 03-22-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@VAC

These 'diff lockdown' kits logically introduce some sort of noise into your cabin. Same with solid bushings. Even poly bushings may add some extra N, V or H.

A diff should not whine, period. How people define 'whine' is very broad though. All cars IMO have some sort of driveline noise, esp if you are looking for it. Improper diff assembly whine is generally very evident and easy to ID.

Over the last few years, we have had a few people stop in since they were were concerned with whine. I took them for a ride in our stock E90 M3 or our not so stock E92 and the same 'whine' was evident - but it wasn't really a whine at all.

We put Redline 75W90NS in all Quaife diffs. Only OSG oil in the OSG diffs.

Yea I used Redline 75W90NS when I installed mine. Mike have you all by chance received my core differential back? I mailed it out Monday.

Thomas

03-09-2013, 09:40 PM	#1
tcw Captain 52 Rep 748 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (2)	Quafie Whine Question After installing my VAC built Quafie last weekend, I have a slight high pitched whine when under light decel (engine braking in 6th at 70mph) or slight accel (cruise control on the interstate). It is not very loud, you can't hear unless the radio is off. The noise reminds me of the whine you hear when driving in reverse on most gear boxes. Any ideas on what might cause this? Diff needing to be broken in? Improper build? Defiv lockdown NVH? I also have stock subframe bushings. __________________ 2008 335I E92, AW, VFF700, 18" Forgestar F14, M3 front/side, M-tech rear, AMS IC, H&R Touring Cup Kit suspension, HID AE, ER Charge Pipe & Synapse BOV, CIC Retrofit, Quafie, DSS, Defiv Lockdown, SPEC 2+/Steel SMFW, Walbro 450
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-09-2013, 09:53 PM	#2
blisstik Lieutenant Colonel 151 Rep 1,677 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: California iTrader: (14)	Haha, that's the solid diff bushings. I have the same thing. It's normal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-09-2013, 10:01 PM	#3
Dmacc Colonel 200 Rep 2,799 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 1M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (1)	Same noise I experience with my VAC built Quaife __________________ thanks to MGallop
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-09-2013, 10:21 PM	#4
tcw Captain 52 Rep 748 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (2)	Thanks for the replies. That's what I was hoping, but didn't see anything with a search. __________________ 2008 335I E92, AW, VFF700, 18" Forgestar F14, M3 front/side, M-tech rear, AMS IC, H&R Touring Cup Kit suspension, HID AE, ER Charge Pipe & Synapse BOV, CIC Retrofit, Quafie, DSS, Defiv Lockdown, SPEC 2+/Steel SMFW, Walbro 450
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2013, 06:18 AM	#5
enrita Major General 161 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	the diff should not be making any noise at all. mine is totally silent. __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 06:22 AM	#8
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Anything that hard-couples a diff to the chassis or subframe can enhance gear noise and cause whine. If you were running totally stock bushings with no lockdown and had whine i would be worried about backlash, but in your case I suspect all is fine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 10:40 AM	#9
joro2077 ..... 25 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 335i E93 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (3)	Same here, VAC Quaife LSD, Defiv Lock kit, M3 subframe bushings and whining... Also when Im in high gear cruising and start to accelerate in same gear sometimes there is really loud noise coming from the differential, anyone else with same experience, is this normal?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 11:50 AM	#10
DallasBoosted Captain 38 Rep 864 Posts Drives: '08 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Dallas iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	I have a VAC-built OS Giken, with powerflex diff and subframe bushings. No noticeable gear whine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 11:52 AM	#11
joec500 Brigadier General 125 Rep 3,004 Posts Drives: it has 4 wheels Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (10)	I also have the Difflockdown with Wavetrac, zero Whine at any speeds. Just some clunking when first engaging into Reverse. __________________ 2007 E92 6MT SGM: MusicarNW Level 2, Procede Rev 2.5, FFTEC/Vishnu LPFP with Flexfuel Sensor and Flash, M3 Offset V701's, WaveTrac LSD, Michelin PSS, Downpipes, M3 Control Arms, TCKline D/A Suspension, LCI Tail lights, Lux AE's, ER Charge Pipe, DCI's, Mtech Front and Rear, M3 Sideskirts, HPF Stage 1 Clutch
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 12:50 PM	#12
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	It's the diff lockdown. Hard mount means no damping of the natural whine that's already there. Stock, M3, or poly bushings will all have decreasing levels of isolation inherent to the design. That all goes out the window with a lockdown hard mount, or if you go with Delrin or otherwise solid diff mounts. Subframe bushings have much less to do with this than diff bushings, unless again you are going full race delrin or Al bushings. Then you will have a lot more than just gear whine to add to your NVH!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 12:52 PM	#13
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2289 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	Gear whine is NOT normal and I suspect it has to do with install, backlash tolerances. My first Quaife had whine and I had it rebuilt, no more whine afterwards. __________________ Follow for latest mods
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 12:58 PM	#14
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Best thing to do is talk to VAC. They really do know their stuff especially when it comes to diff builds. I'd be really surprised if it is legit improper backlash given their expertise, but I will concede that it is possible.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-18-2013, 06:51 PM	#17
kenneth Major General 125 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	tcw, I experience same as you with Wavetrac, faint whine when letting off throttle! __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2013, 09:28 PM	#20
Brian_VACsales Captain 194 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	These 'diff lockdown' kits logically introduce some sort of noise into your cabin. Same with solid bushings. Even poly bushings may add some extra N, V or H. A diff should not whine, period. How people define 'whine' is very broad though. All cars IMO have some sort of driveline noise, esp if you are looking for it. Improper diff assembly whine is generally very evident and easy to ID. Over the last few years, we have had a few people stop in since they were were concerned with whine. I took them for a ride in our stock E90 M3 or our not so stock E92 and the same 'whine' was evident - but it wasn't really a whine at all. We put Redline 75W90NS in all Quaife diffs. Only OSG oil in the OSG diffs. __________________ Brian Casella Sales Representative, VAC Motorsports Office: 215.462.4666 \| Fax: 215.462.4667 EXT 13 \| Email: brian@vacmotorsports.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote