Well, you have to go into the diff. take out a bolt, remove the pinion shaft, slide out the "C" lock and then slide out the axle, then the bearing race, then replace everything back in order. That's kind of a quick synopsis, as things can take longer depending on any unforeseen problems.

 

and could the fluid leakage on the RR tire be oil from the broken bearing?

 

Yeah that sounds pretty in-depth, and the same thing my manual told me =\ But i'm sure a garage would want a pretty penny for that repair? And is it possible for me a beginner to do it? Also do u need special tools?

 

Probably a bad wheel bearing seal, smell the oil and see if smells like rear end grease. If your going to change bearings and seals, do both sides at the same time.

 

Anything is possible, but it would be a good idea to have someone that's done it before, to show you.

 

wrong again/.... sry this thing keep messing up

 

Could the fluid on the RR be from a broken bearing?

 

I think it's a bad seal.

 

Alright and what all will i need to pick up when i go to autozone? Maybe you could give me a link to the type of bearing i need for my 1991 firebird 3.1L v6, RWD, auto trans

Thanks!

 

That's something that you and the auto parts people will have to hash out. I hope you can find someone to help you repair the rear, you don't want to make any mistake's or you and the car may have big trouble. Good luck!

 

The bearings i need are like a normal looking bearing and seal? Correct? Or do i need the cone / cup things i seen everywhere?

 

When you pull the axle, that's when you want to get the bearings and seals, to make sure you get the right one's. Not before, I've bought bearings before I've removed the axle only to find out they are the wrong one's. Sometimes parts people make mistakes?

 

Alright well i will have to take it apart tmrw, And one thing i'm concerned about is when i pull the shfts out making sure the diff gears dont move. ?

 

Alright well! I replaced both rear bearings / seals.... Still have some sort of problem. I believe there is fluid leaking from the pinion seal area now... Could that bearing be bad? The noise seams a lot better but still noticeable. And when i took it for a test drive today it makes a significantly loud hum when coasting in gear going down a mountain...

I think the rear bearings / seals did help with some of the noise but i still here a little clunk ever now and then.... =\\

 

I doubt the pinion bearing is bad. As far as the pinion seal, you should have probably replaced it when you had the drive shaft out. Have you filled the rear end with enough 80w90 gear oil?

 

Yeah i put prob a good 1 1/2 quarts into it.... And it seems to be leaking heavy out of the pinion seal. How hard is that to replace? And i just hear a little cling every little bit. And like i said it hums real loud when coasting?

 

You have to take the yoke ( the piece that the u-joint bolts to) off. Then pull the seal out and replace it. As for the hum, maybe try heavier gear oil. A hum usually is the ring and pinion gears. You didn't take the carrier out did you? (the part with the ring gear on it.)

 

Maybe i should try adding more oil also? I did add a limited slip additive... And do you think the clinging could be something to do with the pinion seal? I guess that's the next thing to try on the list! lol

 

And no the only things i took out were the c-clips / pinion shaft / pinion bolt...

 

A bad seal won't make any noise, it just leaks. As for oil, try a heavy weight oil. I'm just asking, but you didn't take out the carrier and misplace some shims? O-K good.

 

Not really sure what you mean by the carrier, but as far as i know the only things i took out were the few i mentioned earlier?

 

I read your post after i answered, the carrier is the center piece with the ring gear on it.

 

Oh yeah i deff didnt do that. But one thing i forgot to do is put the RLV sealent stuff on the diff cover gasket? And i didnt put locktite on the pinion shaft lock bolt. But i guess i will replace the seal and add some heavier gear oil? And i put the gear oil into the little hole thing on top that the plastic piece came out of. Like a 1/4 hole?

 

Should i get another diff cover gasket now since i already tightened that one? Or just take it off and put some of that stuff on it? And add new heavier gear oil?

 

If it doesn't leak, it's fine. Now I'm not sure what you were talking about where you filled the rear end? What plastic plug? There should be a filler plug on the right front of the differential. You should be able to get a 3/8 ratchet in the plug.

 

Idk there was like a little plastic piece i pulled out of the RF of the differential sorta on the top. The hole was prob about 5/16 - 3/8... But the piece just sorta popped out? Then i snapped it back in?

 

Maybe it was replaced at some time, but they are usually a steel plug.

 

Oh alright well idk. But i will let you know how my next adventures go lol

 

Good luck! At least your learning differentials, You'll be a pro soon.

 

haha yeah tell me about it, i'm gonna open a garage up soon! lol

 

I didnt get around to making thse adjustments yet but i wanted to add that it seems like something is binding? Like the pinion / ring every once in a while then it pops back into place...

 

If that's the case, you have problems. You should have checked all that when you had the axle's out. You mentioned the pinion seal leaking, is there excessive play in the yoke or pinion? That could be why it's leaking.

 

Alright well i took it for a test drive tonight... Here are the results....

When in gear driving w/ throttle down;
- Clunk every 10-20 secs
-sounds sorta like a backfire inside my pumpkin

When in gear driving w/o throttle ( coasting)
- Loud rubbing sound
- sounds like a piece of plastic rubbing against my tire...

The there are also litttle clangs and clings every now and then... And sometimes it will sound great for like 1/2 mile straight...

 

You mentioned the pinion seal leaking, is there excessive play in the yoke or pinion? That could be why it's leaking.[/QUOTE]