Ratcheting sound from rear diff

Hey everyone,
Just drove my 07 DC TRD Sport for 5 hours in a snow storm (in 4WD only a little) and when I got to my destination I noticed a ratcheting noise coming from the rear end. there was a bit of snow in the parking lot so i was getting some wheel spin (heard the noise in 2wd and 4wd) is this a normal sound from the rear end (assuming I have a LSD) not too sure what the deal is but i am far from home and dont want to eff anything up.
this is my first Toyota (and i love it) so I am not 100% familliar with all the "normal sounds"
thanks in advance

W

 

Check for something caught in the wheels. It's not normal for a rear diff to make a ratchet sound even if the oil is low or wrong. Kinda sounds like something might have broke.

BTW, a TRD Sport comes standard with an LSD.

 

I bought the truck with 35000 kms (im in Canada) and it has around 52000 on it now. I have not changed the diff fluid in it but it may have been done at the dealer where i bought it.
I thought it had the LSD... thanks for confirming that.
I am going to grab the manual to see when the diff fluid change interval is.

W

 

just checked the manual.... diff fluid change is 48 months or 64000 kms, both of which I have not reached. perhaps i need to make a trip to the local dealer.
crap.... still snowing like gangbusters out there

W

 

05-08 TRD Sports have a Mechanical clutch type LSD that needs new 80w-90 LSD oil at least every 30K (mi) per the manual. Some guys also add fiction modifier. A 'chattering' sounds can occur if there isn't LSD type oil in it, or a thinner wt. oil is used, but that's usually on harder ground making a tight corner.

It shouldn't be making noise all the time on a slippery surface though...

Can try some new oil first, 3qt of 80W-90 for LSD applications should run you only about $15 at the store and 30 min to change (15/16 or 24mm socket). If that doesn't do it, head to the shop.

 

I got a chattering from my diff this summer. At the urging of chris and a few mechanical friends, I changed out the oil to standard diff oil with a friction modifier added in and it stopped, so for me it turned out to be the synthetic oil that had been in it for a year.

 

are you running an LSD? I thought SR5's came with regular 'ol open diffs. Why put friction modifier into an open diff?

 

I am not familiar with the Canadian manual but I know you normally change your diff oil at 30,000 miles, 15,000 miles under extreme driving conditions (I thought this would apply to Canada). For starters I would take Demoncleaner's advice and see what happens. 64,000 kms or 42,255 miles is too long IMO.

 

Mine was optioned with the LSD in the rear end.

 

Yes, a grabby LSD (due to improper lubrication) can be described as a chattering. In my case it causes the entire rig to vibrate or "shudder". Ratcheting sounds different to me and a lot worse but all of the descriptions are subjective.

 

Well I just returned from the dealership in this area (im working out of town) they had it in withthe rear wheels off and couldnt find any broken parts. after running it in fwd and rev on the hoist still no remedy, then the tech noticed a HUGE pile of snow jammed into the front area of the fuel tank and upon further inspection noticed that the corner of the fuel tank cover (sheet metal) had been bent by the snow and was hitting the weights on the driveshaft.... but it would only do it when the brakes were applied or there was a "load" on the rear axle, like being in reverse. so I dodged a major bullet in my mind. A huge thanks to Belleville Toyota, they had my taco in there for a couple of hours, found the problem, fixed it and didnt charge me a dime!!
Also, thanks to everyone that offered info and insight to my ordeal. It sucks to be out of town and not having all of the regular resources you are used to.

thanks again

W