Grinding noise from the rear - 99 SS

[JeffM]

Jesus.. I'm scared to jump into something like that.. I don't even know what backlash is.. hahaa

hmmmm..

I do want to do it though. I'm guessing a shop would charge way too much.

Maybe I'll do the seal first, and hope and pray that is the problem.

Sounds more like a bearing prob though

[Z Ya Later]

When I got the bearings done in mine, it was about $700 for everything. But, the labor rates out here in CA are probably here then over there for you. I'd call around and see what shops will charge if you're unsure about doing it.

[JeffM]

yah, just called a local F-body shop and he said probably about $400-450

not too bad, but I hate checkbooking ANY repairs.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

You should read this thread before taking on the task of installing gears.
http://www.f-body.com/forum/showthre...&threadid=4920
You'll go through the same thing when replacing the bearings.

[ConElite]

Took me and my brother about 8 hours of laying on our backs and figuring out the measurments. This stuff is for sure not for someone without a lot, and i do mean a lot of experience. MY father with 30 years mechanical experince blew his ring and pinion b/c his Pinion depth was incorrect. Then You have to get the pinion bolt tighten just right with the correct drag on it without over tightening it and trashing your crush sleeve by over tightening. Then you have to get the bearings pressed off and on the pinion and the carrier.

[JeffM]

yeah, screw this, I will pay to have it done.

I'll do the seal replacement so I stop leaking oil - but I'll have the bearings replaced by a pro.

Side Q - will driving with the bearings making noise like that really screw something up? I'm supposed to be driving to Cape Cod in 3 weeks (about 200 miles each way).. Is that not advisable? The shop that I'm going to have do this won't be available for a few more weeks.. Should I not drive? Or will it be ok - just noisy?

[ConElite]

Depends on how long its been doing the noise. If it gets so bad what can happen is the bears can start to spin in the Axle and cause the Axle to mess up. B/c the Sleeve that the bearing sits in is suppose to stay stationary but if the bears start catching then the sleeve as well as the bears will begin to spin, which is no good. That's what happened to mine. What I had to do was seriously Jam in an extra shim to make the ring assembly nice and tight so the sleeves wouldn't spin, and it has been working for me ever since. And I have taken my car to the Track Multiple times with no issues

[Z Ya Later]

yeah, screw this, I will pay to have it done.

I'll do the seal replacement so I stop leaking oil - but I'll have the bearings replaced by a pro.

Side Q - will driving with the bearings making noise like that really screw something up? I'm supposed to be driving to Cape Cod in 3 weeks (about 200 miles each way).. Is that not advisable? The shop that I'm going to have do this won't be available for a few more weeks.. Should I not drive? Or will it be ok - just noisy?

Don't drive it if you don't have to. You can cause more damage to the rear if you continue to drive it, esp. for a long distance like that. If the shop isn't available, see if another good shop is or find another vehicle. The last thing you want is to have to do more work because of continued use on bad bearings.

And yes, $400-$450 is a pretty good price compared to what I had to pay. Did I mention I hate you? lol j/k

[97LT1Z28]

Hopefully, it's not the carrier bearing in the rear end. Mine went out a little over 120K miles and it was $900 for the rebuild and two new axles. It was making a grinding sound like you describe - it got louder as the damage got worse and it didn't take long either.......but I was too lazy to try it by myself..........

Works good now though......

[ConElite]

yeah thats what happened to mine. The carrier bearings were shot. So it was constant grinding noise noticable from even outside the car. $900? ouch.
Total I was going to pay $300 Flat to change all the bearings in the rear and seals. Saved myself the $300 and did it myself. I figured it was a good learning experience. Would I do it again? Yeah. Its like riding a bike, you never forget. It just takes A LOT of patience. If you dont have at least the magnetic guage, take it to a pro.

[JeffM]

Just ordered from Summit - both carrier bearings, and both axle bearings and seals.

Local machine/gear shop will be doing the install for $350-$425

Hopefully that IS the problem and I won't be wasting cash!!

Thanks for all the help and direction guys. Much appreciated.

[ConElite]

Just ordered from Summit - both carrier bearings, and both axle bearings and seals.

Local machine/gear shop will be doing the install for $350-$425

Hopefully that IS the problem and I won't be wasting cash!!

Thanks for all the help and direction guys. Much appreciated.

Did you get the Install Kit or just the Carrier Bearings and Alxe ones?

While your there its recommended you change the Pinion bearing as well as the pinion seal and Alxe shalf seals.

[JeffM]

All I ordered was the carrier bearings, the axle bearings (comes with the seals)..

Should I add the pinion bearing and seal?

EDIT: Called Summit and changed the order - I got the entire kit which includes carrier bearings, axle bearings, seals, crush washers, nuts, gasket, pinion bearings, etc.

So, I should have everything now!

[ConElite]

All I ordered was the carrier bearings, the axle bearings (comes with the seals)..

Should I add the pinion bearing and seal?

Try and cancel your order and order the installation kit. Comes with everything including all 6 bearsings, New Alxe cover bolts and Alxe cover seal.
Everything you need for the install, as well as some new shims. I seriously recommend it.

[JeffM]

I did - though they couldn't stop the order since it was shipped already.... They said to just refuse the package and it'll get credited back to me.

This is the one I ordered since it came with the axle bearing/seals too..

Dis one