Replace pinion bearing or swap axles?

[Myke]

I believe my pinion bearing is bad as I have a loud hum under load. Similar sound to my mud tires just 5x louder.

I lifted the vehicle/tires off the ground and accelerated up to 20mph (don't do this) and the noise is still present which is why I believe it's the pinion bearing.

As someone who has never rebuilt a differential, should I pick up the proper tools and learn to rebuild it or just pick up an entire axle assembly from one of the yards listed on car-part.com? Last time I checked they had an assembly with 95k miles grade A for $200-300. I have hand tools, air tools, and a press.

If I pick up a used axle what should I look for? Is it possible to tell if there is a bad pinion bearing from inspecting it? Can I use any 02 to 07 year axle in my 03 with discs/no abs?

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Getting ready to do this here shortly myself, so info on his last paragraph would be awesome. Thinking about picking up a junkyard axle and pinion since I live really really close to a junkyard and the guy hauls gravel from our put for us, so I could probably get them at an awesome deal.
I know it's not the best option, but should work if I like the looks of the axle. He has quite a few driveable ones from NY that rusted out just over 100k.

Won't be as good as buying a new one, but this hum is getting old and I've been dealing with it for over a year lol..
Every time I press my gas, especially going uphill.. wuhhhhhh wuhhhhhh wuhhhhh. So annoying.

 

[wheeee32]

Getting ready to do this here shortly myself, so info on his last paragraph would be awesome. Thinking about picking up a junkyard axle and pinion since I live really really close to a junkyard and the guy hauls gravel from our put for us, so I could probably get them at an awesome deal.
I know it's not the best option, but should work if I like the looks of the axle. He has quite a few driveable ones from NY that rusted out just over 100k.

Won't be as good as buying a new one, but this hum is getting old and I've been dealing with it for over a year lol..
Every time I press my gas, especially going uphill.. wuhhhhhh wuhhhhhh wuhhhhh. So annoying.

Sounds like a good time to upgrade to 4:10's.:gr_grin:

 

[GunnerSchenck]

I have been thinking that, just can't find a 4cyl around here to save my life lol

 

[Myke]

Found a rear axle already pulled from an 03 with 98k miles on it. Some surface rust as it was sitting since this past March. Guy is asking $200. Going to see if I can get it for $125.

 

[Myke]

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This is what he is selling for $200

 

[ltd02]

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This is what he is selling for $200

Was it buried since March? Looks like it was under salt water since March of 1980. Seriously, That's a lot of rust to me, but I don't know where you are. Maybe its normal. They use a ton of salt where I am and we don't see anything like that. Sorry, just being honest.

 

[Myke]

It's in North Jersey. I wouldn't be using anything except the axle/diff. My current axle has similar rust on the tubes/spring perches.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Did the Titanic have 3.73s or 4.10s? Looks like that's where it's from! LOL

 

[ltd02]

It's in North Jersey. I wouldn't be using anything except the axle/diff. My current axle has similar rust on the tubes/spring perches.

I'm thinking you are probably ok then but I'd do like you said and try to get it cheaper.

 

[GunnerSchenck]

The differential/axle housing doesn't look horrible, but my oh my. Look at that UCA! Lol.. anyways, worth 100-125, but idk if id pay 200

 

[tommudd]

Too bad not closer, I have two or five around
of course 02-05s with 3.73 gears
and none have anywhere that amount of rust , well none really

 

[renegade 04]

I use car part.com to find all my parts used. I found my 4.10 differentials using car part.com

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Not terribly far of a drive lol and I'm always up for a good drive!

 

[Myke]

I rented a 4'x7' trailer from uhaul for $14.95. Going to go look at it after work tonight.

I noticed on the way into work today going over 70mph the hum quiets down a lot. So much that my tires become louder than it.

Is there anyway to make sure its not my transfer case or driveshaft before dropping money on this axle?

To repeat my issues are loud hum from 10mph-70mph only under load and then when going 20-25mph and slowing down it will rumble until about 5-10mph but stops rumbling if i touch the gas.

From what I read online the rumble should be a loose pinion and the hum should be a bad pinion bearing or worn gears.

Would using Lucas 85w140 non-synthetic gear oil cause the loud hum?

 

[GunnerSchenck]

That's literally my exact problem right now.. mines been doing it for awhile now and it always quiets down over 70. 65 still loud, 70 it's gone. I found its loudest at 30ish mph.

 

[Myke]

I grabbed it for 160. Hit it with the wire wheel and then some rustoleum rust reformer.

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[tommudd]

I grabbed it for 160. Hit it with the wire wheel and then some rustoleum rust reformer.

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Now remove calipers, brake lines, e brake cables etc, won't need them since you'll use your old ones, no need to bleed the brakes etc then

 

[Myke]

Now remove calipers, brake lines, e brake cables etc, won't need them since you'll use your old ones, no need to bleed the brakes etc then

That's the game plan

 

[Myke]

Brakes are off

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