Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Rear Differential Pinion Bearings Help

[JJRSMP12]

I've had a vibration for a while now at about 2300RPM in 5th gear. Also been hearing a grinding noise when coming to a stop. Took truck to local **ealer and they told me all ujoints are fine, carrier bearing assembly fine, BUT the pinion bearings at the rear diff are bad and approx $1500 to replace. Question: how long can I run IF this is the issue. Also,, could this be causing me vibration issue? Thanks

 

[Graphic man]

$1500 ?????????



are they replacing the rear?

 

[Nate]

If the pinion bearings are going bad, driving it will make it worse... eventually it will take out the ring and pinion, and could possibly ruin the whole axle.



Does it whine/howl? If you put the truck in neutral with the park brake on, get under and see if you can move the pinion around any. Movement side to side, up/down is bad. . If you can move it in and out... that's really bad.

 

[moneymuncher]

bearings and seals should run about 100. 00. if you have access to a press wont be hard to change the lower pinion bearing. get a good parts manual and take your time

 

[Tom L]

Pinion Shaft Brngs

Its a little more complicated than the last post... price close tho,unless? The entire ring gear/spyder/housing has to come out. . ez after you take axles out of 60/70 series, it can be manhandled if you are stout enuff,but getting it back in takes some doing. I can tell you the easist way. The drive shaft has to come away from the pinion yoke so you can take the nut off, buku torque on that nut. The p shaft assy goes out backwards, replace bearings. . keep track of shims, buy spare shims. . shaft must be pre loaded using shims, this takes a few trys. . While carrier housing is out examine side bearings close. . if pits are present replace them all, especially if you find lots of metal shavings/fragments on the magnet too. I was quoted $1500. 00 but mine had blown apart spyders and cross shafts were trashed, so I put everything new, spyders/shafts/clutches/bearings-races/pinion shaft brngs-races and seal/outer wheel seals/... about $600. 00 in parts... TL

 

[NDaniels]

Why not just swap axles, would be alot cheaper than $1500. FWIW, Nick.

 

[Supermod56]

Generally bad pinion bearings will cause a howl, not a vibration, does it do it at the same speed in 4th gear??? What's the mileage?? 1500 is crazy, a shop like Six States should be able to do it for a lot less. Not that hard to do yourself if you have the right tools and a shop manual.



Tom

 

[DSeamans]

Clunking when you let off is a sign of loose pinion bearings. My buddy bought a 98 with 4. 10s and wanted to switch to 3. 55s for mileage. I'll have to call to see where it was, but we got all bearings(pinion, carrier,wheel) and gears for both axles for $900. It took 5 hours to do it in the truck. If you do it, I would replace carrier bearings at the same time. A press is definately a plus. Pay close attention to shim washers when you pull it apart and match with new ones when you put it back together.