Rear End Noise, Wheel Bearings Replaced - What could be the cause?

[GenViper]

Hello everyone, so far you guys have been helpful in getting the other two bits of this sorted out, so here's hoping it's a hat trick

I recently was advised by multiple places/people that I really really needed to replace the bearings on the rear axle (ie, rear wheel bearings, not rear diff axle bearings) because of the noise coming off the rear end (mainly the driver side, as noise was louder during leftward steering). I took it apart, and ended up replacing the driver side axle shaft due to intense pitting where the bearing seats. Now the bearings/seals for each side have been replaced along the axle. Car drives fine, but it's still making that annoyingly loud hum during straight driving and left turning, seems to be mostly evident above 50 mph(sound is like resonance from a crystal glass, loud humming).

While the diff was open, I noticed that I could slide the main block of gears (main ring gear, spider gears etc) back and forth along the axle axis by a fair amount, maybe up to 5mm (might be more, can't quite recall)? Seemed like alot, but I have no experience in the diff before last week. So, could the noise be an indication that the diff axle bearing on either side could be bad? Could it be something else? The gears themselves seemed fine, but I really should have done a more thorough inspection of all of them before buttoning back up, especially since they were cleaned up after I Brakleen'd the crap out of that sucker and the tubes to get all the metal bits out >.>

[masterfab]

Hello everyone, so far you guys have been helpful in getting the other two bits of this sorted out, so here's hoping it's a hat trick

I recently was advised by multiple places/people that I really really needed to replace the bearings on the rear axle (ie, rear wheel bearings, not rear diff axle bearings) because of the noise coming off the rear end (mainly the driver side, as noise was louder during leftward steering). I took it apart, and ended up replacing the driver side axle shaft due to intense pitting where the bearing seats. Now the bearings/seals for each side have been replaced along the axle. Car drives fine, but it's still making that annoyingly loud hum during straight driving and left turning, seems to be mostly evident above 50 mph(sound is like resonance from a crystal glass, loud humming).

While the diff was open, I noticed that I could slide the main block of gears (main ring gear, spider gears etc) back and forth along the axle axis by a fair amount, maybe up to 5mm (might be more, can't quite recall)? Seemed like alot, but I have no experience in the diff before last week. So, could the noise be an indication that the diff axle bearing on either side could be bad? Could it be something else? The gears themselves seemed fine, but I really should have done a more thorough inspection of all of them before buttoning back up, especially since they were cleaned up after I Brakleen'd the crap out of that sucker and the tubes to get all the metal bits out >.>

I would have to say your carrier bearings are shot. which would cause a gear alignment issue. thus making the noise you asking about. is there any vertical play.

[c0ncEpT]

Check for play in your pinion.

[masterfab]

Check for play in your pinion.

mike could also be right

[GenViper]

I dont recall there being any vertical play. I was wondering if something might have happened to the shims, or that shims might need to be added?

I can try and check for pinion play tonight and see if I get much movement.

Guess I'll be replacing that new diff fluid earlier than I thought >.< On the plus side, guess I can order some Redline, and get the 75W110 instead of the 90 this time since I've got a bit more time than before.

[GenViper]

Actually, looking at some more info online, I'm thinking I should go for 85W-140 instead. Easier to find, though I'll be going with Royal Purple since Red Line doesn't seem to make one.

[GenViper]

Everything I'm seeing seems to indicate a problem with the carrier bearing(s). I'm fine with doing the replacement myself, except for a couple concerns. First, while a bearing puller should be able to fit in the diff case to get it off, how do I reinstall them? I used a bearing driver for the rear wheel bearing, but I don't think that I'll be able to fit that in there with enough room to hammer it down. Can I just tap it in with a hammer if I'm careful to go evenly and slowly around the bearing, or am I merely inviting disaster by going with this?

The other concern is from reading about the bearing preload; sources indicate I need to replace the shims when I replace the bearing (makes sense), but haven't been able to find the steel service shims at the usual places. Is this something only the dealership is going to carry, or just go with somewhere online? I try to avoid the dealership because their pricing takes some of the point of doing your own work away. >.< I don't mind waiting for the parts to arrive since I'm not as concerned about my car asploding on the road this time (as opposed to the wheel bearings), and I'll have to wait on the RP anyway. Just want to get my ducks in a row this time before starting so I dont have to bug my roomies to drive me all over town and have my car up on jack stands for half a week!

[Gregs_gsxr]

Actually, looking at some more info online, I'm thinking I should go for 85W-140 instead. Easier to find, though I'll be going with Royal Purple since Red Line doesn't seem to make one.

why not go with the 75w90 ?

[c0ncEpT]

Do you have a dial indicator? A inch lbs dial type tq wrench? Lots of patience?

All of those are required to set up a rear end.

[GenViper]

I was going to go with the 85W140 instead of the 75W90 to deal with warmer weather, and to help reduce some noise coming from the rear end.

I was going to try and borrow the indicator from Autozone; I have a ft-lb, so i guess i'll have to try and rent an in-lb too or buy one. Mainly, I have far more time than money right now, so unless it's not going to cost too much more than doing it myself or the job is out of my league, I'm gonna plan on giving it a try. Assuming I can find the parts (aka, shims) >.>

[masterfab]

Everything I'm seeing seems to indicate a problem with the carrier bearing(s). I'm fine with doing the replacement myself, except for a couple concerns. First, while a bearing puller should be able to fit in the diff case to get it off, how do I reinstall them? I used a bearing driver for the rear wheel bearing, but I don't think that I'll be able to fit that in there with enough room to hammer it down. Can I just tap it in with a hammer if I'm careful to go evenly and slowly around the bearing, or am I merely inviting disaster by going with this?

The other concern is from reading about the bearing preload; sources indicate I need to replace the shims when I replace the bearing (makes sense), but haven't been able to find the steel service shims at the usual places. Is this something only the dealership is going to carry, or just go with somewhere online? I try to avoid the dealership because their pricing takes some of the point of doing your own work away. >.< I don't mind waiting for the parts to arrive since I'm not as concerned about my car asploding on the road this time (as opposed to the wheel bearings), and I'll have to wait on the RP anyway. Just want to get my ducks in a row this time before starting so I dont have to bug my roomies to drive me all over town and have my car up on jack stands for half a week!

its been a while sicle iv touched one but if my memory is correct you have to use a press, to press the bearing off of the carrier. and the same to install.There should be to caps. one on either side of the carrier that had 2 bolts in them. remover the c-clips, un-bolt the cap anf remove them. and the whole carrier assembly should pull out with some force.That if its a 10bolt or 12bolt, im guessing this is a f-body? just find a NAPA store or a carquest. some of them are able to do it. other than that any machine shop can help.
As far as your shims go to a rear end shop they should be able to hook you up. i also think summit sells them.