Well i am dissapointed

[Mr Chevorlet]

The truck i thought was all done, well i drove it into town and noticed a whining noise from the rear axle, only when i let off the gas and coasting. There is no noise when i give it gas and underload. And from all that i have read so far it is possible the the pinion bearings bad. There is no slop in the pinion bearing when i pulled the drive shaft off. But there is about 1/2 rotation play between the tire and the pinion shaft when i have it jacked up and off the ground. Which is way to much.So the gap between the ring gear and pinion is too much right, what to do from here. It is a 12 bolt 3.08 open rear axle, u-joints and outer bearing are new but i did not do any thing to the pinion or third member. Does anybody have any opinions. Thanks

[Ol Blue K20]

If that backlash is from wear (lots of miles) it's rebuild time my friend.

[truckster]

That's exactly what mine was doing before the pinion went through the housing... while my wife was driving it... when we were on vacation in Florida... as she was driving across a drawbridge. Traffic backed up for 2 miles in both directions from the bridge, and boats were backed up waiting to get under the bridge. Not a happy day.

I'd get it fixed soon.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by truckster

That's exactly what mine was doing before the pinion went through the housing... while my wife was driving it... when we were on vacation in Florida... as she was driving across a drawbridge. Traffic backed up for 2 miles in both directions from the bridge, and boats were backed up waiting to get under the bridge. Not a happy day.

I'd get it fixed soon.

...at least it wasn't raining.

...was it?

K

[boostedc10]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

If that backlash is from wear (lots of miles) it's rebuild time my friend.

Blue is right, if it is from wear. If it is from a bearing it can be repaired pretty easily if you have a shop press or access to one. Best bet is to pull it down and take a look at it to see what is actually going on.

[Mr Chevorlet]

Well i took the cover off and i found the all that play is in the spider gears, I am wondering if the PO of the frame had them gears out and did not put the spacers back in. I guess i will pull them out and see and or replace them and with a new keeper pin.

[FRANKENSTEINC10]

That really sucks man. I hope it's an easy fix for ya.

[ujsf01]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's probably not the spider gears. As you are driving in a straight line, they're really just along for the ride. Their main function is to allow one wheel to turn faster than the other in a turn. Ever ride in a vehicle with a spool? A spool eliminates the spider gears. Whine on coast is most likely worn or improperly preloaded pinion bearings. Not too bad of a repair, though, if you have access to a press. Oh, and remember to make sure the shim is under the big bearing on the pinion when you go back together!

[Mr Chevorlet]

Yea you are correct ujs01, not the cause of the noise while coasting but I believe its the noise when I go from reverse to drive and or back to reverse. So when I tear it apart I will go through the whole thing. Thanks

[special-K]

It sucks,but it's also good. It's better to find out you're almost done than to think you're done and have your beautiful new old truck mess up major on you at the wrong time and place.

[Mr Chevorlet]

That's very true special K for sure. Thanks

[special-K]

I guess that's your little ole silver lining,sunny side,cup's 1/2 full,etc. Other than that...damn that sure sucks! (but you already knew that)

[Grumpy old man]

I found worn spiders in my '95 GMC 2500 4wd But it had an excuse having 220,000 miles and working hauling trailers and such most of it's life , I replaced the complete G80 carrier and bearings/seals with an rebuilt unit I found on Ebay for less than $400. all the parts houses around here wanted $750. and up just for the carrier .