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My 03 has been plagued with rear axle problems. I guess since it was new.
2 years ago I re-geared the rear to 342's. I saw telltale signs someone had been in there before. A few weeks ago I took a small trailer to North Carolina. During the trip the rear started to make noise, but I was already committed soo I went on. I dropped off the trailer and came home. I checked the oil in the rear the next day and noted it was like 1/2 a pint low. Quick glance around and saw the RR leaking.
Thinking the noise was coming from the wheel, I went and got a seal and set of bearings. When I pulled the axle, the wheel was very loose. I decided to rebuild the hub and did the whole show. It looked like someone was in there before too, but can't be sure. Torqued it up, and the truck felt better and a bit quieter. That gave me the thought to check the Left hub. That was loose too! I retorqued it and checked the axle for trueness, the best I could. Pulled the other axle back out and checked that one too. All seems good.
After all this I concluded the pinion bearings are bad now. Man is that sucker screaming. I don't have the tools for that. So I'm getting them done Wednesday. I didn't do them when I did the gears, but I did do the pinion bearings.
I'm betting the axle was putting some stress on the bearing and caused it to prematurely fail. I doubt it was poor lube. When I put the new cover on last fall I used Valvoline gear oil. It's still clear. I'll know more when the diff comes out.
Just venting. I should put a zipper on this rear.
@Double R Diesel Maybe it was the radioactive brake drum. LOL
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Originally Posted by AnOldBiker
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