Geeze, this is bad timing....

The rear axle now has developed a God awfull noise, and I'm hard pressed to determine if it's an axle bearing or the pig itself. Honestly, once I tear into it, I want to replace everything so it won't be a worry anymore. With that in mind, what would be the best way to proceed?

Replace the pig (with a front pig) and install new axle bearings & seal?

Replace the entire axle? I have a complete spare, but its from an 88.5 that has the single break line and my troubled child 87 has the 2 brake lines to the axle....

Well, at least it's not snowing here.....yet........

Any advice, thoughts, hints or just plain good medicine will be greatly appreciated....

I had planned replace or rebuild the rear axle, but not during this time of year.... Bugger!


:question: :nuke:

Simplest would be to replace the axle with the 88.5 you have. I can send you a proportioning valve gratis for the swap if you would like. With a lack of garage, and the given weather this time of year, the simplest means is usually the best.:)

I've seen two axles develop life threatining sounds that were just parts of the ebrake linkage rolling around in the drums, check that first, you might get lucky.

The rear wheel bearings also are known to poop their pants on a semi regular basis. I don't think I've ever heard of a zuk diff go bad. Good luck!

I decided to approach this in 2 parts to minimize down time. I pulled the axles, only to have the pig give me fits trying to get it out. Used a floor jack to break the seal, but no go. Any ideas on this?
Thanks Zook94! I might take you up on that. Once I replace the axles (new seals) and pig, I plan to replace the bearings/seals on the spare rear. I can do the job right if I'm not rushed. I buy myself some time this way despite doing double the work. I would also like to do the 410 backing plate mod as well.

Any ideas as how to remove that stubborn pig?

u know the front and rear diffs have different spline counts? u also have to change side gears on the front diff to use it in back. just change the axel brngs and look at the pinion and sides. also make sure it is not the tranny. jack it up and put it in 5th and pull the e brake cables indivivually to see if the noise goes away. if it does it is a wheel brng on that side. don't do this if you have a locker:rasta:

It turned out to be the wheel bearings. Swapped in spare axles with decent bearings and everything is nice and quiet. I've ordered new bearings as well as the 410 plates so down the road, I won't have to mess with the brakes when I replace the bearings again. Thanks!