Thanks for your reply Ed and sorry for the delay in responding. Did it earlier then got a text and when I got back it had disappeared into the ether. Firstly I must ask what a pumpkin is? I think this might be a case of two nations separated by a common language?
From what you say a different grade of
oil won’t make the diff quieter. I’m pretty sure it’s not a wheel bearing noise or spline. I thought a higher viscosity
oil whilst obviously not curing a wear problem might alleviate the noise from it. As far as use is concerned here in the U.K. on congested pot hold roads any “cruising” is only achieved on motorways in the early hours of the morning with the risk of speeding fines from overhead gantry cameras. Ggrrhh!
Dek