Video of what a failed rear pinion bearing sounds like

[gaber6]

Had a chance to do some digging today... basically slid the whole axle out (without taking off the brake assembly or parking brake stuff) just so I can isolate the axle. To my surprise, there was a little bit of gear oil leaking (very small amount as far as I can tell), the dust shield or axle seal, whatever the correct term is, is in pretty bad condition and there was some what looked like reddish grease... I was worried for a second as there was no play in the bearing, but as soon as I started to rotate the dust shield back and forth, as much as the parking brake cable would allow, it felt very gritty and not smooth at all. I am basically convinced the passenger rear wheel/axle bearing is shot.

Now the dilemma... Looks simple enough for a DIY job, however I do not have the bearing pulling adapter for a Toyota or a 20T press that is on a H-frame. I could get both of these for under $300, plus the bearing (I am partial to Koyo) for about $550. Around where I live (Farmersville, TX) I went to a few independent shops and asked them if I brought them the axle shaft and the bearing if they would press the old one out and the new one in, but all said nope, not a Toyota. Anyone know of any mechanics in the Dallas, TX area that will do this job if I bring them the axle? Not sure who much they charge but anything around the mark of buying the tool and press would be a no brainer for me.

Thanks!

Keep calling around. My shop in Cincinnati pressed in my rears for $75 and charged maybe $125 for the bearing for timken on each side. Dallas is a big town and has to have a ton of machine shops.

Consider putting the beveled seal ring on reverse so there's more flat area for the seal to ride on as well. As is, the seal rides very close to the bevel, and it seems it's only to guide a high speed installation at the factory.

Because I left the bevel facing in, despite me telling the shop to flip it I ended up only pressing in my oil seal into the housing 90% and then a little silicone around the outside on one axle because it still seeped a drop or two. Dry now.

With no driveshaft or axles and turning the input on the rear end, you'll know if the diff is bad. Mine sounded and felt like a rock tumbler.

 

[Dominic]

Future reference for anyone who is having the same problem, here is a video I took of what it sounds like when the rear pinion bearing has failed.

https://streamable.com/i9nhjl

You can hear it best last 15 seconds of the video, it was loudest when coasting to to a stop from 25mph

Just got a remanned differential from East Coast Gear Service put in and it’s now whisper quiet.

Another ECGS success story

Exactly what mine sounded like. ECGS still makes noise... not impressed with them.

 

[twa318]

Exactly what mine sounded like. ECGS still makes noise... not impressed with them.

Did you have them intall the solid spacer?

The solid pinion spacers prevent loosening of the gear setup preload. Solid spacer and shims replace the crush sleeve and in theory should eliminate the problem from occurring again.