Whiney 190e driveshaft under acceleration
 

As my car has got quieter at the front end I'm more aware of the whiney sound coming from the rear end! It only happens under load - the moment I lift off it dissapears. My gut instinct says Universal Joint....anyone know better?

Mike.

If it's the driveshaft, I'd check the center support and bearing before the U-joint. You mention it's from the rear end, which would sound like differential wear, maybe.

Sounds more like a diff noise, my guess would be worn pinion bearings, the rear bearing in particular, as it carries all the load when accelerating. The tail shaft doesn't carry any thrust loads, so if it had a bad centre bearing you would hear it all the time. Also the tail shaft doesn't have uni joints it has companion flanges. :)

Is the rear bearing part of the final drive? Sounds like a largeish job.

EDIT

Is the part in this pic?

http://www.dewdney.co.uk/guy/107diff.gif

Mike.

The picture you have posted only shows the diff housing, drive shaft and drive shaft bearing ass, the pinion, crown wheel and bearings are internal of the housing, it is a fairly involved job to replace pinion bearings, my suggestion would be to get a quote from a trans/diff repair shop and go from there. :)

Cheers Ozzy, is it a job that needs to be fixed or can it be left to whine away without doing any harm?

Mike.

Ultimately it needs to be fixed, all depends on the way you drive, make sure the diff is full with oil, keep an eye or I should say ear on the noise, if it seems to be getting louder or worse then you need to have it repaired asap.
I have known of people driving around with worn diffs for years. :)