Things got a little slow today and contemplating 20 hours on the road this weekend. So got started changing rear differential grease and wheel bearings on my '95 S10 Blazer. Been noticing bearing whine last 20,000 miles or so. So I expected grooves where bearing rides on axle (no inner race, just direct contact of rollers on axle). Sure enough not deep but enough to hang your fingernail on. Proper GM recomended fix is new axles and bearings, as putting new bearings onto even slightly worn axle doesn't accomlish much. Instead I used (as I have many times in the past on customer vehicles) "shaft saver" bearings. Have as many names as there are companies building wheel bearings,Bower,BCA,Timken, et al. Basically these are roller bearing assemblies in a over length (from original) case that move the contact point into a new area of the axle with a built on grease seal. While OE design bearing is $20 or less these are near $40 but a new $120 axle isn't necessary! Never had a come back from a customer in the several years these assemblies have been available so maybe my own will be trouble free!
After bearing installation refilled differental with Valvoline 75W140 synthetic and took her down the road. Still have a carrier or pinion bearing with a grumble back there somewhere, but overall rearend noise level is WAY down.
Bob
After bearing installation refilled differental with Valvoline 75W140 synthetic and took her down the road. Still have a carrier or pinion bearing with a grumble back there somewhere, but overall rearend noise level is WAY down.
Bob
