I finally got the differential back from the machine shop that removed and installed the side bearings and pinion bearings for me and I am trying to re-install everything. Everything is fine until I tighten the side gear bearing caps. Anything more than finger tight and the bearings freeze up and nothing will turn easily. I marked the bearing caps so i knew which side they went on and which way was up. The bore of the caps are slightly smaller than the bearing races and i think when the caps are tightened they pinch the races down onto the bearing cone.

I really need to get this fixed tonight so if you know what you are doing please call me... 904-288-61nine-nine or 904-294-22three-one

Thanks,
zac

 

Well I thought I had it figured out but obviously not...

 

My guess would be your clearances are off. Doesnt sound good at all. What all did you replace??

 

That's bad oh so bad. Start by checking your pinion depth and go from there.

 

I bought this complete bearing rebuild kit...
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...4196_0_0_28999

I didn't have the proper pullers so I had a very reputable autoshop remove the old pinion bearings and side bearings from the carrier and reinstall them.

I removed/installed the front/rear races for the pinion by slowly tapping them into place with a hammer. I BELIEVE I inserted them all the way into the case and that they are straight, but could a SLIGHTLY crooked race be causing this noise?
I then inserted the front bearing and pinion seal.
I then positioned the pinion into the differential and installed the yoke.
I didn't have the correct yoke tool, so I used the nut and an impact gun to press the yoke onto the pinion. Don't worry my gun is only capable to producing 170 ft lbs of torque so I couldn't over load the pinion bearing.
The yoke seemed to turn just fine on the bearings, until the the carrier was connected to the pinion and the bearing caps were tightened, but I am not positive anymore the more I think about it.

Tomorrow I will remove the diff cover, drain the fluid, remove the axles and take out the carrier. I will then turn the driveshaft and see if the noise is from the pinion bearings or only when the carrier is connected to the pinion.

If the fix has anything to removing any more of the pressed on bearings then I am throwing in the towel. I will find a complete rear end and just swap the whole damn thing.

Zac

 

So you didn't check pinion depth or your backlash?

 

I see no reference to the crush sleeve, did you get a new one? reuse the old one? did you remember to put one on the pinion gear?

 

sounds like the ring gear for sure, id check the back lash.

 

The FSM made no reference to that in the removal/installation section. How do you do that?

 

That is the washer looking thing (about 5/8" long) with a hump in the middle of it? Yes a new one came with the bearing seal kit so I used it. It gets inserted on the pinion gear itself between the inner bearing and front bearing right?

What does that thing do anyways?