It looks like I am going to have to change out the bearings on the rear-end. Apparently[:@]....I have tried everything and nothing can rid of this clicking sound in the rear of the car I am having. The shop that did the install checked the car out and said that nothing is wrong. But there is no whine so I am assuming the rear-end is setup correctly as far as backlash, etc. So here is the question can I take the rear apart and change the bearings out and then just put stuff back where it was (you know shims and what not) and then just put it back together and it work? And if so then the only thing I am not sure about is how to set the pinion bearing preload. So how do you check the preload? Thanks for any advice or help.

 

OK. Another question for those of you with stick shift cars. Does anyone know with the transmission in neutral, can you take the driveshaft and move it back and forth at all? Like towards the transmission and then back to towards the rear-end? My does this, it only move about a 1/4 in. but I don't remember any of my previous cars doing this. Of course none of my other cars have ever had a 2 piece driveshaft either? Anybody got any inputs on this???

 

25 inch pounds on used bearings and I believe it was 30 on a new bearing.

There should be no play in the driveshaft moving back and forth, front to back. Check the carrier bearing. As far as turning it, yes, there will be some play from the backlash in the gears.

 

OK. I hate to sound like an idiot but which one is the carrier bearing? I know there is a pinion bearing and of course the 2 main bearing at the axles but which is the carrier bearing? I think I know which one you are talking about but if I just said oh yeah he means this one, I might be looking in the wrong place. So if I understand correctly I am looking at the bearing at the center of the driveshaft, right? Thanks for the help.

 

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the "u-joint" as everyone calls them. It's where the drive shaft connect to the rear-end. That could be a good possibility that's worn out and not your bearings. Your bearings should last a really long time as long as you change your fluids properly, or you drag race religiously. Even so, you shouldn't have to replace any rear-end internal bearings before 100kmi on the average car that is. If your drive shaft is moving back and forth from the front to the back, the u-joint is shot and that could be your sound. Do that before you take everything apart. If you do, yes you can put everything back the way you took it apart as long as the bearings are the same thickness and have no troubles at all. Good luck

 

Actually the carrier bearing is the bearing that is in the middle of the factory two piece driveshaft. It supports the rear of the front section.