# 2003 Jag S-type rear end noise at 35mph **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jaguar, s-type\ **Created:** [April 7, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811 "2012-04-07T17:08:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dhfenton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@dhfenton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dhfenton)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/1 "2012-04-07T17:08:51Z")
Ok, here’s a fun one. My Jag S-type makes this odd rubbing noise, intermittently. That’s the problem, nobody has been able to find out what it is because it’s never happening when they test it. Sometimes when I’m driving at roughly 35 mph, there’s this very rhythmic rubbing noise that sounds like it’s coming from the right rear wheel (kind of a rump…rump…rump) type of sound. 1) I’ve got two sets of tires and wheels (summer and winter) and it does it regardless of which of them is on the car. 2) the car must be under power, if I take my foot off the accelerator the noise goes away. 3) It’s most likely to do it going up hill, or when it crests a hill, never downhill. 4) It does it most frequently in the same places, i.e. there a gas station on the crest of a hill on my way home, it probably does it there more than anywhere else. Also a hill on the way to work that is a frequent location for it to happen. 5) Jag dealers have checked the car over and say the suspension looks fine. 6) There’s no unusual tire or brake wear on the right rear, or anywhere else. The car is reliable, I take it on long trips all the time, just this one annoying noise that drives me nuts, and I’m sure it’s a symptom of something that needs attention, it’s just that nobody can determine what “it” is. ---
**Author:** ![MTraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@MTraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MTraveler)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/2 "2012-04-09T18:06:30Z")
This is purely a guess. The differential and/or transmission could be shifting in their mounts causing something to rub, or stressing one of the CV joints enough to make the noise. Rump rump isn’t a typical CV joint noise, but this is a guess. The mounts could be worn out or loose. How many miles? Did the Jaguar mechanics test drive the car and confirm the noise or are they working in the dark? ---
**Author:** ![Racketmensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc8723/32.png) [@Racketmensch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Racketmensch)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/3 "2012-04-09T19:56:56Z")
Wow. I thought I was crazy, but there are at least 2 of us. My 2004 S-Type 3.0, 87k, does the exact same thing and has always done so since I got it at approx. 70k. It occurs in a very narrow range, 32-34 mph; and only when lightly accelerating. (That’s where the hill thing comes in, because you have to be lightly accelerating but not moving out of the 32-34 mph range.) It’s like you’re driving over very weak rumble strips about 20 feet apart, kind of subtle. It hasn’t gotten noticeably worse or different in the 2 years I’ve had the car, but like dhfenton I wish to heck I knew what it is. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/4 "2012-04-10T01:54:46Z")
I’m going to go with the CV joint. Rump rump is a typical noise when the rear CV joints go on these. And the noise varyng with the torque applied would be a normal part fo the symptom. But someone has to look. Can’t tell for sure from here. ---
**Author:** ![dhfenton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@dhfenton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dhfenton)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/5 "2012-05-02T20:07:19Z")
The Jag guys can’t make it happen when they drive it, so they’re in the dark. Went to [Justanswers.com](http://Justanswers.com) and got a highly rated jag tech, and he’s leaning toward the differential also. So I bet that’s probably right. So good to hear I’m not alone with this one Racketmensch. Your rumble strip description is dead on. Do you ever have problems with a lot of snow on the road making it feel like you’ve hit an ice ball with the back tire? ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/6 "2012-05-02T20:28:16Z")
Replacing the rear wheel bearings shouldn’t be THAT expensive, but I’m just guessing…Not familiar with Jags. Does it have IRS or a solid rear axle? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/7 "2012-05-02T21:28:30Z")
IRS. ---
**Author:** ![dhfenton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@dhfenton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dhfenton)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/8 "2012-05-04T21:01:26Z")
I had the wheel bearings checked when this noise started, and they’re fine. That’s why I’m leaning toward a differential problem. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/9 "2012-05-05T00:58:43Z")
ts mountainbike, is that the only time you mentioned IRS and didn’t snarl afterwards? ; ) ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 7:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/10 "2012-05-05T07:27:17Z")
Given the conditions stated by both parties, I am more inclined to think it an exhaust related component. ---
**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 9:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/11 "2012-05-05T09:10:21Z")
You might see if you can find someone familiar with your problem here: [http://www.captainjaguarscathouse.com/Links.htm](http://www.captainjaguarscathouse.com/Links.htm) This is about the best resource I’ve ever seen for a Jaguar owner. It’s worth killing a couple hours on this site even if you don’t own one. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/12 "2012-05-05T19:56:49Z")
Some years back I had an identical noise from the rear end of my rear drive Caprice. And, yes, it was the differential bearings which were replaced at a cost of $400. This differential was limited slip and needed a special additive. It might run $800 or so on your Jag but you should fix it NOW! ---
**Author:** ![Derek\_in\_oz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Derek\_in\_oz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Derek_in_oz)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/13 "2013-11-23T05:08:09Z")
Regarding DHFENTON and RACKETMENSCH s type rear noise. I have recently bought a 2004 s type with 69k kms and have exactly the same problem at around 50 to 60 kph, after driving for about 10 minutes the noise disappears as if something warms up or oil starts to circulate so by the time i get to the mechanic it cant be heard, apart from that it drives beautifully. I am wondering if either of you guys have worked out what the problem is. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-jag-s-type-rear-end-noise-at-35mph/71811/14 "2013-11-23T07:01:41Z")
@Derekinoz I just checked Neither of those guys you mentioned has been active on this website since April and May of 2012 If you want to get in contact with them, click on their screen names. There will be an option of sending them a “personal” message. That message will also get sent to the email address which is linked to their cartalk “account” Good luck