Persistent rear whining noise – help needed to solve this Jimny mystery! 🚙🔧

Hi everyone,

I’ve been driving a Suzuki Jimny (2000, automatic gearbox) for just over a year now, and it’s been an absolute joy — until recently, when an unwelcome new sound joined the ride.

Over the past couple of months, a whining noise has started coming from the rear of the car. It’s most noticeable during light throttle input, particularly when the car is decelerating without fully releasing the accelerator. If I take my foot off the throttle completely, the sound disappears. The pitch of the noise follows the speed of the vehicle, not the engine revs, and it’s the same in every gear.

I brought it to a garage, and with a stethoscope they confirmed the sound was coming from the differential. To fix it, they replaced the diff bearings and seals. After the repair, the noise was almost gone, but sadly, it returned not long after, and gradually got worse again.

Under warranty, they rechecked everything and replaced the same parts. This time, there was no improvement at all. They’ve now offered to replace the entire rear axle free of charge — if I can supply a suitable one myself.

I’ve contacted several suppliers, but no luck so far. I’ve been told the differential for the automatic Jimny is different from the manual version, and that the automatic is quite rare here in the Netherlands.
So now I’m stuck with a buzzing backside and some tricky questions:
Should I have a different garage take a look and potentially rebuild the diff internally?
Or is it smarter to search abroad (UK, Germany?) for a full replacement axle or differential?
Most importantly: what exact type should I be looking for?

Has anyone here faced the same issue — or better yet, solved it? Any tips, tricks or parts sources would be hugely appreciated. I’d love to get back to enjoying the ride without the symphony from below.

Thanks in advance! 🙏
Cheers,

Niels  



 

When I broke my diff it was the same price in the junkyard for the diff as for the complete axle.

Your diff have the 3.9 4,09 ratio and it is the same ratio on all auto from 99 to 2018 as far as I can see. Axles from all the years will all fit your car as long as it is from an auto.

Edit: I got it wrong, see below:
Still a lot of cars with 4.09 diff ratio to pick from.

www.bigjimny.com/mediawiki/index.php/Tra...ssion_gearing_ratios



 

Whining is often due to the pinion not meshing precisely with the crownwheel.  Unfortunately once you have driven a significant distance with it whining the effect on the wear pattern of the teeth means it will whine forever.

(I wouldn't even take on the job of "curing" it, (because it will just bounce back after a few hundred miles) the only cure is a new crownwheel & pinion set and a rebuild to factory spec.)

If the bearings have been changed, and the mesh & preloads set properly, yours will whine on for many miles- but drive you nuts with the noise!

You will have to source a differential, complete axle or a new crownwheel & pinion set.

 

facade wrote:

You will have to source a differential, complete axle or a new crownwheel & pinion set.


 

Or knobblier tyres.  Or a louder radio, or earplugs.  There are options!

Thanks for the advise!
I will definitely start looking for the new differential (/ axel).

Motacilla wrote:

facade wrote:

You will have to source a differential, complete axle or a new crownwheel & pinion set.




 

Or knobblier tyres.  Or a louder radio, or earplugs.  There are options!

 

I already have a subwoofer and 4 good speakers in the car. Also upgraded to AT tyres last year. Still the sound is heard on the highway at 100 km/h with the music on full blast