Hello new guy here.i just got the car a couple weeks ago and knew it had a rearend noise.i thought I was the brakes but after a full brake job front and rear it still did it?so then I noticed it would do it more when I let off the gas and then it started to squeal on sharp left Han turns?so I figured a rear wheel bearing so I changed both and it still does it?sounds like a rubbing or growling noise when going down the road and then a squeal on sharp left hand turns?havent done the driveshaft ujoints yet cuz i need a break from under the car.any info would be greatly appreciated.my worry is if it the pinion bearing?thanks for any and all help...
Steve

 

Welcome to CF, Steve.

That sound, my friend, is the sound of a rear end on it's last legs. Your differential is on it's way out. Take it to a shop and have it looked at. Or better yet, pull off the inspection cover (I think it has one) or drain the fluid and stick a magnet in there. I can bet you there will be metal shavings in there. Your best bet is to pull a whole rear end (with the axles) from a pick a part. Where are you located? If you are in central CA, I can help you with the install if you have a place to work.

And come over to the lounge tomorrow and meet some of the locals.

Good luck, and keep us updated, and ask any other questions you may have.

Your friendly forum Mustang Hunter,


x01660

 

I just had the cover of and there is no metal in it or on the magnet on the inside of the cover.i have a feeling it's the pinion bearing.i replace both outside axle bearings and seals.i think I may pull it back apart and replace the rest of the bearings and rest the gears backlash and all that fun stuff.thanks for the input.

 

It sounds to me like you right differential bearing is failing. When you take the left turn most of the stress is handled by the outer bearing but the inner bearing also sees some of the stress because it is keeping the axle straight.
Do you understand what is involved in replacing these bearing? The pinion bearing can be a pain for guys that have not done one before. You basically have to re- setup the rear and that is without a doubt the most common DIY screw up. Even with trained mechanic screw up are common. The best way to learn this is to setup one up while someone who knows what he is doing is looking over your shoulder.
If you try just try to replace the side diff bearings you are still going to need to verify your contact pattern and your backlash.
Might be a good time for a 3:42 upgrade

 

^^^ agree and you might look around the local wrecking yards to see if a z28 rear end is around. grab a one piece driveshaft while your at it.

 

Sounds like some great advice.kinda bummed it has this problem seems i just got the car.seemed like a great deal.1 owner stored winters,car has no Rostand only 104000 miles.then I found out it was a y87 package and I was pretty happy.not so thrilled anymore but I'm sure with a couple more thousand it will be all better.thanks for the help.

 

Just to clear it up it is a y87.already has the 3:42.but if the rearend is messed up im gonna either ditch the car or do a v8 swap and the works.

 

You can find pretty low miles complete Z28 rears 300ish. Since you are already setup for it is just bolt in and go. If you want a little upgrade you could look at the 98 up rears and get some larger rear brakes in the process. These types of failure can happen to any car are almost any mileage. It is just my opinion from doing warranty work for GM but I don’t think driving habits or maintenance will really affect the carrier bearings life that much. I have even had cars that were hit so hard the axle was bent and the outer wheel bearing was damaged but it did not hurt the diff side bearing. I think at the time they are built the quality of the bearing and the install define how long they last. It is luck of the draw. I have installed, under warranty, new carrier bearing in cars with 8,000 miles on them.
Swapping the rears is easy you just need to do a little research on the traction control if you want to buy one off craigslist. If you pick one up in a yard they should be able to tell you which ones are direct bolt it.

 

Do they make 1 piece drive shaft for a 1997 rs?took mine out to do the u-joints and it's 2 piece with a carrier bearing and i can't buy just a carrier for it I have to buy a whole new driveshaft for a little over a grand???? This should be rebuildable.thanks for the help.

 

You can use a one piece driveshaft from a 4th gen Z28/TA, and from 3rd gen's that are in the 700R4 transmission vintage.