Anybody done the wheel bearings on a expy I would rather try that than rebuilding a diff. I have a whine above 45 mph 97 expy 4x4 LSD diff 3.73

 

It is more likely to be the pinion bearing and diff carrier bearings that the wheel bearings. The right thing to do is rebuild the whole thing. I have done a axle seal but did not change the bearings. If they are pressed in it will be a hassle, if not it will be simple. I am not sure though, hopefully someone will have the answer.

The first thing I would do is check the torque on the pinion nut. They have been known to come loose. You may be able to retorque the nut and get by for a while until you can do the proper rebuild.

 

Yup, I've done wheel bearings and axle seals on a 2000. You will need a slide hammer and the tool to pull out the bearings. IIRC when we did them in the 2000 we had the carrier out to rebuild the Trac-Lok and ended up putting a pipe through the housing and pounding the bearings out that way. They were in there pretty good.

Does the noise change as the rear end warms up? Does it sound like a whine or a howl?

 

I would give great consideration to replacing the axle with another identical axle from a junk yard. It's a much easier job.

Then if your really compelled to rebuild the OE axle, you can do it on the comfort of your workbench.

 

The sound I'm having is more of a howl than a whine and I am thinking about using a junkyard diff.it doesnt change as it warms up.thanks for everyones help

 

I don't think a junkyard axle is a good idea. You are buying another set of problems there. Is the used axle in better shape than your existing one? How long until the used one needs to be rebuilt? It shouldn't cost you all that much to have your current diff rebuilt.

 

I'm in the process of rebuilding my '02 rearend now. A junk yard rearend will cost almost as much $ as having a shop rebuild yours and you won't have a warranty with the junkyard part.