So I was hearing a howling noise from the rear of the car. It sounded like it was coming from both sides. I thought it was coming from the tires. Pulled the wheels off and the brakes and could feel it was rough. Pulled the rear cover off and found some wear but not to bad. Pulled both axles out and removed the driveshaft and spun the pinion flange Bingo its the pinion bearing.

So the question is can I replace just the pinion bearings?

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You'll also need a crush sleeve and there won't be a better time to replace the axle seals.

 

Took it all the way down. Does the pinion gear look blue, like it got too hot?

 

Pinion looks fine to me. Like rusty said do the axle seals now to. If it were me I'd do all the bearings now as well.

 

I have a parts car, its a 2001 GMC Jimmy. I verified it's the same gear ratio. Only drawback is it does have 250k on it.

Strated diassembly.

 

This is from the parts car and will be going in my blazer. Shouldn't get stuck this winter.

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Judging by how clean that gear lube is and how good everything else looks in there, I wouldn't worry too much about the miles on it. That ring gear doesn't show 250 k of wear. I would guess that its been rebuilt before you got it. Now I understand why you'd rather swap out the whole thing. If you have to smell gear lube, might as well have a posi when you're done. Much better in snow than a one wheel peel. Good call Snuffy.

 

The parts car was my wifes daily driver, she bought it new in 01. Its never been rebuilt . I do remember putting a pinion seal in it, not untill it got really bad. I also changed the fluid when I replaced the backing plates, and that wasn't that long ago. I never knew it was a posi though. All I know is that car was the best in the snow by far, I was amazed. Now I know why.

Thanks

 

Second on doing all the bearings now. Might as well since you already have it all apart. Find yourself a good quality gear install kit like from USA Gear (what i got for my 44) if you want to do it right.

Some good videos if you don't know what you're doing or just good entertainment:

 

Thanks for the link I will be taking a look at that.

So I got the rear swapped out, and now the question is, does the posi rear take an additive in the fluid? It's from a 2001 GMC Jimmy.

Thanks