Drive axle carrier bearing?

[aman74]

I had another thread about a noise I've been having. My mechanic thought wheel bearings, but I wasn't so sure. I was supposed to have it fixed today, but he had to cancel the appt. He does this on the side.

It's a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE

I thought with the extra time I would get a second opinion since the other guy never actually had it on a lift, we just took a test drive.

The guys at the shop today said it was the drive axle carrier bearing. They had it on the lift and listened with a stethoscope so I'm pretty confident in the diagnosis.

They said it's cheaper to just replace the whole assembly. Might be true, but this part I'm skeptical on. They wanted 487 to do the job, but with some coupons I can get it down to 433 and maybe down to 400. I have no idea if this price is fair or if I really need to get the whole thing replaced.

Not even sure what the carrier bearing is? Are they talking about the support bearing?

Thanks in advance,

Anthony

 

[aman74]

Also, I wanted to ask if an alignment would need to be done afterwards.

 

[aquariuscsm]

get on a good Nissan forum and do some reasearch before you hand over any money.

http://www.b15sentra.net/

 

[aman74]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
get on a good Nissan forum and do some reasearch before you hand over any money.

http://www.b15sentra.net/



I belong there as well. Thanks for the tip though.

 

[Bob Woods]

If this is a front wheel drive it doesn't have a carrier bearing. Does it?

 

[aman74]

Originally Posted By: Bob Woods
If this is a front wheel drive it doesn't have a carrier bearing. Does it?


I'm not sure, I'm not all that car savvy. That's what the tech called it, but in looking at the FSM the only bearing I see on the passenger side axle is called a support bearing. I can't seem to find a part number, at least it wasn't in the FSM. Any online catalogs I looked at just sell the whole assembly, but I see like 4 different versions. Only difference I saw on the one was it said LSD. I think the others may have been half axles?



I'm really at a loss as to what to do or oder.

 

[Kestas]

I believe the carrier bearing is what most call the differential bearing.

These noises are incredibly difficult to diagnose. Don't be surprised if he missed the mark.

 

[aman74]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I believe the carrier bearing is what most call the differential bearing.

These noises are incredibly difficult to diagnose. Don't be surprised if he missed the mark.


That makes sense as I believe I came across a differential bearing in some of the online parts catalogs.

As far as missing the mark, yeah I'm afraid of that. I'm just trying to be pro-active and see if I can figure it out ahead of time and save myself some money ordering the part. The deal is that I have a mechanic who does this on the side and I can only get in to him at certain times. He had to cancel this weeks appointment so I had some extra time and he doesn't mind if I order parts. His parts guy wanted 67 bucks for one wheel bearing that I can get online for less than half that and I was afraid that that isn't even the problem.

Unfortunately i'm on a limited income and can't just take it wherever and pay high prices.

 

[aman74]

What's with the text skipping around after your reply reaches a certain length?

 

[CBR.worm]

Annoying isn't it? I thought it was just my iPad.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
Annoying isn't it? I thought it was just my iPad.

No problem with my iPhone, are you running 4.2?

 

[aman74]

Any thoughts on just buying the bearing or the whole unit? I can't seem to find the right parts.

Any brand recommendations for the whole unit and the bearing?

Thanks

 

[Kestas]

Is the bearing removable from the carrier?

 

[aman74]

All I'm seeing is a support bearing:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/31847393/Nissan-Sentra-2001-Service-Manual----Front-and-Rear-Axle

All I can find on parts websites is the differential bearing.

Also found this: http://www.woodys-auto-supply.com/search.asp?id=162947&all=bca

Axle and tapered bearing for 29 bucks.

 

[aman74]

So frustrated.

I had a remanufactured axle put on as my mechanic confirmed what the other shop thought as well. I get the car back after much hassle getting rides arranged, etc... and it's still making the noise. I'm assuming it's the wheel bearing. Not really sure it's the passenger side though because it makes the most noise on long right turns. I thought that usually indicates the driver's side, but both mechanics were thinking the sound is on the passenger side.

What's the protocol here? I had a bearing and axle purchased and let him diagnose. I assume there's no return on the axle now that it's been installed. Should he put the bearing in and reimburse me for the axle? He put the axle in, changed my oil, put in a blower motor resistor and tightened down my gas tank heat shield for 150 in labor. I bought the parts and tipped him 10.

It's a friend of my mom's friends son and I have no reason to think he's at all dishonest and I thought the price was fair. However, I had a case of oil for the oil change and he took it. Maybe he just forgot to put it back in the car.

I just want to be prepared for if it's right for me to stand my ground and expect a refund on the part and the proper part put in free of any more labor costs.