I tried a search, problem is there is soo much superfluous info on 9 bolts, my specific question isn't in the 1st page.

Anyway, regarding the shimming of your 9 bolt: mine howl and hums and howls constantly, is this because it needs shimming or likely because it needs axle bearing? The car shows 190k odd miles on the odometer, so I have no doubt it needs work in the rear end. And related to axle bearings and such, I read something about timken #9 if I recall. Where is the best source for such parts (bearing sets) and anyone know of approximate prices related thereto.

 

When I bought timken set 9's from auto zone 3 years ago they were about $12.00 each. That was for the bearing and the race. I doubt they have gone up much since then, and I doubt you'll find them any cheaper except if you have a local distributor like Bearings Inc. where you live and they still may not be as cheap as auto zone. The whine may be from your pinion outer pinion bearing as well, it's notorious for causing the demise of many a 9 bolt rear. I posted a huge thread a couple months back that lists every supplier and even small parts and tech info about 9 bolts. It should come up in a search. They told me they'd make it a sticky if I went to the trouble of typing all that out and then they didn't......go figure. Anyways, it should have all the part #'s for the bearings and so on individually from ratech. I'd overhaul it and put in a solid pinion spacer instead of a crush sleeve.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the information, I found the thread you reference. I was all set to find a 4th gen rear until I realized I have a 9 bolt, hope it is worth the added effort.

 

I have most of the 9 bolt information posted on my page, but have been told by a moderator that I am not allowed to post a link to it because I actually sell parts too. So, hopefully someone else will post the link.

If you can get axle bearings at 12 ea. Buy the whole lot!! They are 30 ea at auto parts stores here. Of course cheaper if you have an account with the bearing supply house but not 12.

The howling is likely caused by too much backlash in the pinion and/or worn out pinion bearings. Axle bearings tend to make more or less noise when turning. And pinion bearings more or less noise when accel or decel.

Miles

 

www.9bolt.com

 

i have heard that www.9bolt.com sells everything you need for a 9 bolt BW rear end.

 

carrier bearings will make alot of noise all the time . Jack car up support really well . Then have a friend bring the car up to about 30mph . then get under the car with a screw driver . put screw driver near each axle bearing listen for noise , do same for carrier bearings .

 

And watch out for the tire lol. It could do some bad things to your face.

Ben