# New drive train noise developed **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [August 12, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614 "2020-08-12T01:06:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/1 "2020-08-12T01:06:24Z")
Hello everyone. I’m looking for a little input from the experienced Gem people. I have a 2002 two seater that recently developed a drive train noise at about 20mph. Kinda like a growling noise. My best guess is the differential but I don’t want to start taking things apart on a hunch. I jacked the front of the car up and rolled the tire forward and backwards a few inches by hand. Sounds like a lot of clicking inside the differential. Don’t know if this is normal or if the two issues are related. Any suggestions. One additional thing I almost forgot to mention. The car has always had a pretty loud whine while driving which hasn’t changed with the new noise. I’ve never driven another Gem so I don’t know if the whine is normal. I’m not sure if the whine is the motor or the differential. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/2 "2020-08-12T15:42:32Z")
Jack up the car and check front wheel bearings for slop first. ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/3 "2020-08-12T16:51:53Z")
I checked the wheel bearings in the same way you check them on a car. I didn’t feel anything unusual. No abnormal play. Wheel bearings on a car are typically more noisy on turns. Turns don’t seem to effect this problem. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/4 "2020-08-12T18:58:23Z")
You should pull the input shaft and check the bearings. If the small one lets go it will lunch the gearbox. If the car has 5000 miles it might be a good idea to install a new input shaft kit. Could reduce the whine also. ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/5 "2020-08-12T19:33:49Z")
Thank you very much for your suggestions. I looked in the service manual and couldn’t find anything on a input shaft. I’m assuming this is the shaft in between the electric motor and the differential. Can this be serviced by just removing the Electric motor or do I have to remove the differential from the vehicle? ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/6 "2020-08-14T14:48:02Z")
I removed the input shaft. Outer bearing seems fine but I’m not sure about the inner. The inner bearing really doesn’t feel bad but it’s not exceptionally smooth like the outer. I’m not sure if it’s the beginning of a problem or does it feel different because the outer is a sealed bearing and the inner isn’t. If it’s not too expensive I guess I will replace it since it’s already apart. Where can I purchase a new input shaft or maybe just the bearings? ---
**Author:** ![Derrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@Derrick](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Derrick)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/7 "2020-08-14T17:37:06Z")
The bearings should have part numbers on them, just google the part number and you should be able to find them online. Or if you have a bearing/industrial store they will have them, Kamon industrial is one place. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/8 "2020-08-14T18:08:49Z")
> [@DIY Gear Box Refurb Parts](https://community.electricforum.com/t/diy-gear-box-refurb-parts/5585): > > Below are 2 parts lists for refurbing GEM Gear Boxes. Parts required to refurbish 8.9 and 10.35 Gear Boxes with New Seal Type input shaft assembly (2) Axle bearing 6004 2RS 20x42x12 MM $2.44 ea (2) Differential carrier bearing 6007 RS (remove seals)35x62x14 MM $6.46 ea (2) Intermediate shaft bearing 6303 RS 47x17x14 (remove seals) $3.71 ea (1) Input shaft kit (Seal type) Includes bearings $190 27 TOOTH. (1) Input shaft bearing 6005 RS 25X47X12 (remove seals) $3.67 EA. (1) Input shaft … ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/9 "2020-08-14T18:12:35Z")
> [@DIY GEM GEARBOX Refurb Procedure](https://community.electricforum.com/t/diy-gem-gearbox-refurb-procedure/5584): > > DANA - SPICER - SCHAFFER H12 E GEAR BOX REFURBISH Don’t know if this is the proper procedure but it’s the way I do it. Remove from car and drain oil and clean exterior. Secure upside down in a vise Remove cover Remove intermediate bearing caps (Freeze Plugs) by drilling a small hole in the center and forcing them out with a sheet metal screw. Remove all snap rings. Remove the input shaft assemble by pulling it out with a pair of visegrips applied LIGHTLY to the spline Remove the input s… ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/10 "2020-08-14T18:14:48Z")
I rebuild motors and gearboxes. How ever I’m not cheap, I also sell input shaft kits and EZ STEERs Rodney ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/11 "2020-08-14T18:14:52Z")
There is no visible number on the inner bearing. It probably has to be pressed off to see the number. The number is most likely on the inner race where it’s not visible. I hate to remove the bearing without having the replacement in hand. I’m not sure how I’m going to proceed at this point. Thank you for the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/12 "2020-08-15T15:10:38Z")
How much is just the input shaft kit? ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/13 "2020-08-15T20:05:00Z")
$190 including shipping ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/14 "2020-08-15T20:55:24Z")
Do I reuse my old shaft with the kit? ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/15 "2020-08-16T02:03:57Z")
No kit contains shaft, bearings, seal, and a new rubber bumper. I have (1) 27 tooth left. Due to slow sales I no longer stock 21 tooth but will special order.with deposit. Takes 3 weeks. Rodney ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/16 "2020-08-16T13:45:24Z")
Good morning Rodney, I wanted to thank you again for all of your help. I decided to put everything back together last night instead of replacing parts that didn’t appear to be bad. We drove it a couple of miles and the noise did not return. I will keep your contact information if I need anything in the future. ---
**Author:** ![PandD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/46a35a/32.png) [@PandD](https://community.electricforum.com/u/PandD)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/17 "2020-08-18T13:12:23Z")
After reassembling with the same old parts the noise has mysteriously disappeared. I spoke with many people trying to educate myself on Gem vehicles. Several people recommend installing 90 weight gear oil in the differential in an attempt to quiet the gear noise. I am certainly no Gem expert but here are my thoughts on the gear oil. The manual indicates that differential takes less than a quart of (30 weight) motor oil. The inner shaft bearing is located pretty high inside the unit. This means that it gets lubricated by the oil splashing around inside the unit. Many of the Gem people that I spoke to recommend installing a heavy weight (90) gear oil in an attempt to quiet down the gear noise. I’m thinking maybe this is why so many of them are experiencing a failure of that bearing. The 90 weight oil may be too thick to splash up and lubricate that bearing. I really don’t know for sure. Just my theory. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/18 "2020-08-18T15:14:12Z")
30 weight oil is installed to maximize range. Actually ball bearings are happy not to be submerged in oil. A bearing that has some wear, when submerged. has the possibility of the balls skidding and galling. That’s the reason it is bad practice to over fill transmissions and differentials. High speed precision bearings are often lubricated with airborne mist systems. Most owners and service centers use SAE 90 weight differential lube because of the anti wear and extreme pressure characteristics built into the formula. It’s effect on noise is minor but it makes the owner feel good. In reality gear tooth loading in the Dana 12 series gearbox is not that great and it’s the reason you can getaway with 30 weight. ---
**Author:** ![IhateGEMs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4af34b/32.png) [@IhateGEMs](https://community.electricforum.com/u/IhateGEMs)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/19 "2024-03-31T21:15:37Z")
I know this is a older post but did the OP find out what the original grinding/clanking noise was? ---
**Author:** ![SFGEM](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/sfgem/32/17049_2.png) [@SFGEM](https://community.electricforum.com/u/SFGEM)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614/20 "2025-08-27T04:35:58Z")
similar issue here. curious to resurrect this thread as I just bought a gem and the noises are not fun at all. (aside from the body squeaks etc, I can handle those) [Next page](https://community.electricforum.com/t/new-drive-train-noise-developed/19614.md?page=2)