Rear Axle Bearings shot?

[mavmavv]

So I have a pretty good idea of what my "wump wump wump" sound is from the rearend. I replaced my drums/shoes yesterday and the car is a tiny bit better, but the sound is still there. The car decellerates pretty quickly for an auto and the sound is speed dependent.

There is a slight hum too, different than just the exhaust. From what ive searched and read, the axle bearings are most likely shot (140k on the axle). If I open up the pumpkin and nothing is chipped, its most likely the bearings, correct? Is there anything else I should replace while im in there? I want to do gears, but that will wait for another day. Also, does anyone have the exact name of the tool I need to pull the bearings/sleeves?

Thanks in advance. So much info here!

 

[91notchbk]

So I have a pretty good idea of what my "wump wump wump" sound is from the rearend. I replaced my drums/shoes yesterday and the car is a tiny bit better, but the sound is still there. The car decellerates pretty quickly for an auto and the sound is speed dependent.

There is a slight hum too, different than just the exhaust. From what ive searched and read, the axle bearings are most likely shot (140k on the axle). If I open up the pumpkin and nothing is chipped, its most likely the bearings, correct? Is there anything else I should replace while im in there? I want to do gears, but that will wait for another day. Also, does anyone have the exact name of the tool I need to pull the bearings/sleeves?

Thanks in advance. So much info here!

I have an OTC slide hammer with the axle remover adapters.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc7494a.html

It is pretty expensive for the tools if you only need them once. You may be able to rent them. Another option is to remove the differential and use a long bar and knock the bearing out that way. It works fine you just have to remover the carrier first. I would spray brake clean down the tubes and push rags down the tubes to clean them also spray the center section out too.

You will most likely need new axle shafts. The surface that the bearing rides on is most likey damaged. Just inspect them closely after you remove them. You will also need new axle bearings and seals. If you need parts I have a used set of 28 spline shafts for sale.

 

[mavmavv]

Yeah, im gonna rent the tools from Autozone or wherever.

 

[Maryland Stang]

Usually when the axle bearings go bad so do the seals. If it's not leaking oil then it's likely that there's nothing wrong with the bearings.

 

[Aliate X]

if your axle bearings are bad you will hear it when youre backing up and you go over a pothole or something, it clunks, you can hear it outside the car as well

 

[mavmavv]

Yeah, theres a crapload of clunking back there.

 

[cobradvm]

You won't really know what the problem is until you start to pull it apart - it may be the axle bearings, but it could be the pinion bearing or the carrier bearings. I starting getting a funky noise from my rear end (coulda been the beans I suppose - but I digress) - I was sure it was the axle bearings - turned out to be the pinion bearing. I replace the axle bearings anyway since the kit I bought had them in it. I used a 1 1/2" diameter pipe to knock them out - very quick and easy - the rent a puller is a pain in the arse to get the bearings out - it will end up coming out in pieces.

 

[Roland69]

if you are driving and weave side to side using both lanes will the sound change side to side...or is it when going strait down the road and the noise is always there and change when you let of the gas...

 

[Darrin]

Also. When you pull the axles look where the bearings roll on the axle. If there is any pitting the you'll have to have it machined or get some others. I just had the same thing and I changed the bearings and the axles were very slightly pitted and it did the same thing with the new bearings. Hit the boneyard and got 2 axles for 80.00 and put them in and the sound was gone.

 

[mavmavv]

The sound pretty much is constant no matter what, turning or not. Ill take a look at the junkyard for a rearend (for axles). Maybe they'll have something with gears out there.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

 

[Roland69]

could be a pinion bearing noise you are hearing....I have seen alot of 8.8 diffs in our shop for rebuilds cause they are noisey

 

[mavmavv]

Well, hopefully I can peek inside the pumpkin today and see if anything is chewed up or loose.