stumped with rear end noises

[LETZRIDE]

So doing the final stuff to pass safety so I can sell the other car. I've had this issue with there sounding like there are rocks being grinded in the rear end while in drive (with the car driving on all fours, and with the rear end in the air and freely spinning in drive) When the mechanic took it for a test drive he believed it to be a bad wheel bearing, as the sound would more or less go away when making turns to the left. So this weekend I replaced the wheel bearings...there was very very very minor pitting on the axle (but everything was still smooth) so I popped the new bearing and seals in, and put it all back together....

I did find a bunch of metal shavings attached to the cover magnet.

And I am still getting a grinding noise in the back...what else could cause this?

I cleaned out all the metal shavings I could find...nothing came out visibly in the oil....

if I get further under the car I swear it almost sounds like it might be coming from the drive shaft (this has a steel 1 piece shaft)

any ideas what could cause this sound? it honestly reminds me of rocks in a big mixer being grinded up...

[ssms5411]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

The tunnel brace under the car isn't too close to the driveshaft is it? Try new U joints cheap and good replacement , also check your pinion nut while your at it , it might have back out some and may need to be retorqued down.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

The tunnel brace under the car isn't too close to the driveshaft is it? Try new U joints cheap and good replacement , also check your pinion nut while your at it , it might have back out some and may need to be retorqued down.

tunnel brace is missing 2 bolts on one side, so it is hanging down, but not hitting anything....

I'll try maybe new U joints...Anything I need to know when I go to order a set? is there specific things I should be getting? or is it like a run of the mill part and its going to be no choices, just 1 type of replacement (just asking because I dont trust the idiots in the parts store to sell me the right stuff, they've screwed me multiple times)

How can I check the pinion nut?

[Rhunadan]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

When my car was making all those un-godly noises, it was the pinion bearing that was destroyed. I ended up changing all the bearings anyway since I was putting in a new auburn.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

When my car was making all those un-godly noises, it was the pinion bearing that was destroyed. I ended up changing all the bearings anyway since I was putting in a new auburn.

Ok, how can I check if it is the pinion bearing lol?

[Rhunadan]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

Disconnect the driveshaft at the back, then get a firm grip on the pinion yoke and try to move it back & forth and side to side. Mine was badly worn so it moved a lot. I'm not sure how much play there should be in a good one, but I'm guessing there should not be any.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

are we talking play as in side to side? or like being able to rotate it?

secondly, what would be involved in replacing that bearing?

[Rhunadan]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

Side to side play.
I had a mechanic install my bearings along with the LSD. But I believe that you need to remove the yoke off the pinion and pull it out with the diff assembly.

[ssms5411]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

Put some bolts in that tunnel brace or take it off it can make alot of noise being free like that on one side. Pinion nut just make sure its tight , don't over tighten it becuase its TQ down to a certain LB or inches. Try taking off the tunnel brace first though.

[bwkmaro]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

is a posi rear or a open diff? becuase i had a open diff with that prob and the gear that connects the 2 sides was litterally missing teeth i wish i had a pic of it still to show you .

[bwkmaro]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

oh and the pinion nut on a 10 bolt is only 5 foot pounds your supposed to red locktight it and distort it so it dont come loose

[LETZRIDE]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

it's posi...I'll check all this out when I get a chance...been a little sick the last few days, so I havent done anything...

[bigbrian442]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

oh and the pinion nut on a 10 bolt is only 5 foot pounds your supposed to red locktight it and distort it so it dont come loose

You don't torque a pinion nut. You set bearing preload.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

You don't torque a pinion nut. You set bearing preload.

so basically Im back to having to most likely disassemble the rear end if I find out that nut is loose/backed off?...

[bigbrian442]

Re: stumped with rear end noises

If you can shake the pinion or it feels rough when you turn it by hand then you may need to dissemble it.