Hello, first id like to say im new to the site so if im not doing something right or something please let me know. The next thing i would like to know is when i drive my car (1998 camaro v6) it makes a grinding noise or a dragging like noise when i drive. I have just replaces the rotors, and brake pads. I think its my differential but someone told me they doubt it because its pretty hard to blow one. More info- I noticed when i drive on the road when im on the gas its much more notice able then if i get of the gas for a secound. also it dousnt make the noise when the car is in stop reving in nuetral. could it be something else then the differtial. I dont think its a ball bearing either or the bearing inside the rear but then what do i know im just guessing. Another thing is if you know how to remove your old rear and replace it with a new one please tell me and dont leave comments saying go to the garage, right know times are tough and i dont have that kind of money. If i need to buy a rear i can pull one cheap theres a huge junkyard around where i live called harrys u pull it i think its like $40 for a rear i was thinking maybe since its only $40 i should just pick one up and do the replace meant many people have told me its easy to replace and takes only a few hours. can you tell mw how i can tell if the rear at the junk yard is any good so i dont buy one that grinds should i turn it and see if i feel anything or open it up. any suggestions or advice is greatly appriaciated. Please leave detailed instruction on checking the rear and replacing it. thank you.

 

if you have the time, go to the junkyard, open of the diff, make sure everything looks ok, then spin it and make sure it feels and sounds ok. if it does, tis probably going to be ok.

 

What you describe is rear pinion bearing noise, which is NOT the differential. It could be the axle bearings, but they would make a constant noise that would not vary with throttle input.

Replacing the bearings in the rear axle is something that requires several expensive tools and experience. Most home mechanics should not attempt this type of repair (and many shops for that matter ).

Is your pinion seal leaking? That is usually an indication of a failed pinion bearing, or one that will soon fail. These failures are very common for your rear axle.

It would be cheaper and easier to put in a junkyard axle assembly - but who knows what kind of condition it may be in... When inspecting the junkyard rear, remove the rear cover. If the fluid smells burnt, or you see large chunks of metal fall out, or the gear oil looks like liquid glitter that's a good indication of bearing failure. Even if it looks OK, there is still a chance a problem may exist.

 

yeah i took it to a mechanic a little bit ago he said it was my rear end also if i just replaced the rear even if it was just the rear bearing pinnion it just would be replaced because thats inside your rear and by replacing it with a rear from another camaro and if its good it should stop the grinding noise right? also can you tell me how replacing the rear works.... is there anything else i should check inside the rear???? and i dont thnk i would need any special tools just to replace the rear unless i replaced the pinion right?..

 

Replacing the entire rear axle assembly requires basic handtools. Replacement is very straightforward. Just get under your car and look. See a bolt attaching something to the rear? Remove it. Continue. Simple as that. No directions necessary.

If you decide for whatever reason to service the differential, gears, bearing, pinion etc you WILL need specialized tools. You'll need at a minimum an in/lb torque wrench (dial type, not click), a dial indicator, a dial caliper, and some means of installing the bearings. Pinion depth gauge can be eliminated if you know what you're doing. A large breaker bar and a large pipe wrench will be extremely helpful. Your 10 bolt is a very picky rear when it comes to setup, so you want it right. Other rears you can almost hack together and they seem to do OK.

 

LS1 Techies are awsome, they don't care when someone brings their V6 in, they make em feel right at home!

 

You bring up a good point. This is NOT the V6 forum or the drivetrain forum. It's the LSx engine forum.
I'm going to move this to drivetrain where it should be.