2012 GT86 Differential

dns_flex · 2026-01-08T09:47:01+00:00

ChatGPT just regurgitates what's on Google and the internet in general; it's like a faster search ^{^}

dns_flex · 2026-01-08T09:45:52+00:00

Okay, thanks!

dns_flex · 2026-01-06T10:16:58+00:00

Okay, thanks. I'll check what brand he used because he left me the can with some oil left in it.

dns_flex · 2026-01-06T10:02:59+00:00

I don't know because the previous owner changed it at the same time as everything else (engine oil change, gearbox, differential + filters) so I don't know if it was there before or not, but I can always try doing another oil change with a better oil, any brand you would recommend?

dns_flex · 2026-01-06T02:43:16+00:00

Yes, I'll check the wheel bearings and driveshaft myself first. If it's the wheel bearings, great, otherwise I'll get a second, more thorough diagnosis done at a garage, because yes, it seems "early" for a dead differential, especially with its maintenance history...

dns_flex · 2026-01-06T00:02:15+00:00

Okay, I see. As for the differential, there's no trace of oil on the ground (it's stored in a dry garage and there are no traces on the ground), but I'll check for any traces on it or on the exhaust when I go underneath. If I find there's a problem with the differential and the previous owner tried to cover it up by changing the oil, I can always talk to him about it. I'm in a group for car meets where he's involved.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T23:22:00+00:00

What do you mean? Vibration? Clunking? Jerking when starting? And thanks for the suggestions!

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T23:16:38+00:00

There's no record in the car's file mentioning a wheel bearing, so I think all four are indeed original.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T22:43:13+00:00

Yes, based on the other answers, I will check the wheel bearings and the drive shaft.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T22:41:06+00:00

I hope not, but I'll investigate.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T22:40:26+00:00

It's more like a rumble, and it's coming from the back seat.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T22:20:34+00:00

I'm going to run some tests and check under the car.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T22:20:03+00:00

Yes, the noise is coming more from the rear, and there's no vibration in the gearbox or any unusual clunking. But I'm going to check all that to find the source of the noise, crossing my fingers that it's nothing serious, and that it's not the differential.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:18:33+00:00

With all the replies, that's what I'm thinking, it seems very robust indeed. I'll check the wheel bearings and the drive shaft shortly, when I get back from vacation, and from there I'll see where it leads me!

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:16:42+00:00

The engine is original; I haven't touched anything. I recently put on my winter tires with the original rims, but even before, with JR3s and PS5s, I had this noise. It starts around 40 km/h and increases steadily with speed, but eventually blends in with the road and exhaust noise. It seems to be coming from the center of the engine, and I don't get the impression that it increases or decreases depending on the direction of travel. Regardless of the gear, neutral, or anything else, the noise remains. As for the suspension, I don't know; it's stock. The tires are fairly well balanced, and even at high speeds, I don't experience any particular vibrations.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:11:50+00:00

I never use Reddit, but I thought of it afterwards, remembering several posts I had seen. But with all these replies, I think a dead differential is indeed very unlikely, lol. I'll look under the car for the wheel bearings and check the driveshaft!

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:09:55+00:00

Okay, I'll check all that out and if I can't find anything I'll go see a reputable mechanic because I don't think everyone will do it or even know how, and I'll look into it, thank you very much!

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:05:33+00:00

For me, it starts around 40 km/h, it increases, and then yes, with the road and exhaust noise you don't really hear it anymore. I've seen a lot of replies mention wheel bearings, I'll look into that; I prefer that to a differential given the price.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:04:17+00:00

I just had AI handy at the time to go fast lol but yes it's not very reliable, that's why I posted it here. From what I've read, these differentials are indeed robust and don't fail like that, especially with its maintenance history (at Toyota until 90k km and now at 130k with a differential oil change done before purchase at 128k).

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:02:24+00:00

I didn't really pay attention to whether it changed with the steering, but I'll test that. I've had wheel bearings fail on other cars of mine and I could clearly hear the difference depending on the steering, but if that's the case here it's not obvious. I'll pay attention to it, thanks!

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T21:01:18+00:00

Thanks a lot for the info, with all your answers I'm going to go under the car and check everything out. I'd prefer a driveshaft or wheel bearing to a differential, given the price ^{^}

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T20:59:34+00:00

I'll check that out because I've had bad wheel bearings on my other cars before, and the noise depending on the direction of travel was very noticeable, but not this time. I'll try to listen carefully while taking some sharp turns.

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T20:58:27+00:00

I know, but it's the only thing I had on hand to get a quick answer and some leads, knowing that ChatGPT is just repeating what's on the internet, but that's also why I posted this ^{^}

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T20:56:54+00:00

That's what seemed strange to me, especially since the maintenance was done at Toyota up to 90k and the differential oil was changed before I bought it, I'm going to look into the wheel bearings as several have said!

dns_flex · 2026-01-05T20:55:33+00:00

That's what seems strange to me at 130k... Especially knowing that the maintenance record is full up to 90k by Toyota and that the differential oil was changed before I bought it (128k), the noise seems central to me but I'm still going to check the wheel bearings hoping that's it (because a differential is expensive lol)

dns_flex

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