I don't know if I should stop posting on this thread since the console is finished. If a mod could get back to me. Should I start a new thread about the trip.

 

We drove about 12 or 13 hours today. From Apple Valley, Minnesota and pulled into our site in the Badlands National Park at 1:30am.

Well about half way through today's journey I developed a whining noise in the rear. It almost sounds like a rubbing or throbbing and gets louder with speed. The faster we go it almost turns into a humming. It sounds like its coming from the differential and not a bearing. So the question is what should I do next, since I'm about 2000 miles from home and have limited tools with me. Remember I'm towing about 5000 pounds.

 

DAMN!!! THAT LOOKS AWESOME!! what would you charge to build something like that for my truck? lol

 

i get that same exact whining noise in my rear end. i was told it was the pinion bearing. i would get it checked out, wouldnt hurt. towing 5000 pounds and having a rearend let go because of a bearing could be catastrophic.

 

I didn't want to jinx you (and sucks that something has gone wrong and you can't just enjoy the trip) But, Earlier in this thread, I was going to suggest we start a pool on how many miles you would get before the truck gives you a problem.

 

We were dealing with alot of hills and inclines yesterday and I think that's what did it. We just woke up and are about to go to a shop. The closest one is about 40 miles away in a town called Well. We are on an Indian reservation south of the Badlands National Park. As soon as I know what going on I'll give an update.

 

how much did this console cost you?

 

whats the damage?

 

To tell you the truth I have no idea how much the console cost. There were so many little things and countless runs to the hardware store.
1/2" MDF 2'x4' = $23.00
Vinyl = ~$25
power inverter = 40
1/4" hardboard = 12
laptop = free
screws and hardware = 50 - 100

There are things I bought and didn't use or other things I had on hand. The project took about a month so the money was a little here and there.



As for the rear noise issue. We drove an hour to Rapid City today to Dodge dealer. The total cost was about $1100.00 for the pinion bearing. We were going to leave the badlands tomorrow but now were are stranded here until Monday. Hopefully we will make it to Yellowstone before they close. The good thing is we will have time to hike into the Badlands tomorrow. It's about a 4 hour hike into the wastes. nothing out there but rock and caves.

 

man thats serious money right there. did they replace all the bearings in there or just the pinon bearing?