I am starting to get a whinning noise from the rear end, it is worse when you let off the gas and just coast. I looked thru the threads and didn't see anything pertaining to my issue. Any ideas on what to look at would be appreceated. Thanks

 

Bad bearings...

 

Hold on to the yoke and see if you can push it up and down or side to side. If you can then check the pinion nut to see if it has loosened up any. If not then you probably have a bad pinion bearing. It could be any of the bearings. If the pinion seal is leaking that also points to a pinion bearing.

 

I don't have a tool to hold the yoke while tightening the pinion nut. Can I do this with the tire's on the ground ( or on ramps ) to keep the yoke from turning. Do I need to find out what rear end I have to know what the nut needs to be torqed to or is there a rule of thumb on thightening the nut? Thanks for the info.

 

If you try to tighten the nut with the wheels on the ground or on ramps you will probably end up with the car on top of you. Applying 150 foot pounds of torque to the nut will overpower the parking brake and cause the car to move.

 

Well I don't need my car on my head ! I guess I will find the right tools!!! THANKS MUCH

 

bad bearings, dont be suprised if you pull the pan and cant find a magnet anymore cause of metal shavings. trust me I just did my bearings today and it wasnt good when the pan came off. Whining noise would be bearings and possibly a bad crush seal on the pinion letting it slide back to the ring gear while off the gas.

 

Which bearings? the inner axel bearings? You guys are great, guess I'll have to remove the cover and take a look. Thanks loads. Go JIMMY JOHNSON.

 

There are 4 bearings in the center part of the rear end. You have 2 pinion bearings and 2 differential bearings. Any of these could be bad. You also have 2 axle bearings located at the outer ends of the axle tubes. If these go bad you have to replace the axles too.

 

Is this something that a novice could do? I am mech inclined, and I could get a rebuild book.

 

That's how you learn. Get your hands dirty and ask questions.