Nightmare scenario when doing a rear-end bearing job...

[atlantadan]

So I started digging-in to the rear-end of my 96 caprice wagon with the intent on doing the wheel bearings. Pulled the wheels and drums, whizzed off the cover, drained the watery fluid and was forced to come to a screeching halt and say "well damn..."

See, I was chasing around a whine that was mostly under load, but would stop when turning right. Thinking this was a wheel bearing, I bought the bearings, fluid, seals, gaskets, additive and got to work.

What stopped me was first, I noticed that the holes to the axle tubes were 100% covered by the gasket. Not just a little - the holes were totally and completely sealed off. Then, when undoing the bolt that holds in the pin - I noticed that the carrier was able to freely move left and right by about 1/4 inch.

Further investigation revealed that there were NO SHIMS. None. I could even see the actual inner bearings reveal themselves when rocking the carrier left and right.

Pinion depth? WTF is that? Pshaw! We don't bother with such trivial matters! Bolt it in and go!!!

Now at least I know why it's whining.

I put it all back together with a FelPro gasket, and new fluid - saving my bearings for the eventual total rear-end re-do.

Now, am I totally off-base in thinking that the carrier should NOT rock to either side or am I freaking out about nothing?

Thanks

[Mr pogo]

the carrier should not move side to side like that.
somebody has been screwing around inside that diff before.
hopefully your axles are not toast.

[Rocko350]

The ring and pinion are definately hosed now. Holy crap dood.....

Chris

[Fred Kiehl]

You might want to buy a wagon rear from a P-N-P yard and replace the whole thing. If your axles are still good, save them, but everything else, except the housing itself. is probably trash.

[atlantadan]

Originally Posted by Fred Kiehl

You might want to buy a wagon rear from a P-N-P yard and replace the whole thing. If your axles are still good, save them, but everything else, except the housing itself. is probably trash.

Yeah, that's the road I am going to take. Already combing the yards for a boneyard rear

[Fred Kiehl]

Make sure you check the SPID for G80 (posi), and the correct ratio. You may even find a 3.23 in a 91-93. You would have to change the ratio in the computer, but it would give you a little more grunt.