Rear Axle Noise

[suecap]

I've got a '01 Sport, 88,700 miles, and had the rear axle seals, etc replaced last spring($800) but for a lot longer then that I've heard this whizzing sound coming from the back of my truck and it's been getting louder and louder, like an airplane taking off. Finally, after 3 mechanics, I found one that said it's my bearings in my rear axle - another $800. I'm feeling pretty ripped off from the people who fixed the seals and didn't fix this but whatever. Before I spend another $800 is this really the problem? Someone told me it's cheaper just to get a whole new axle. Also, there's also a slight play at high speeds (I've recently had the brakes and shocks done it helped a lot but not completely). I've been told the ball joints are fine. May need a wheel alignment though. Winter's coming and I drive a lot for work so I want to get this finally taken care of. I could really use a good mechanic in the Boston area!

 

[gavin]

had the rear axle seals, etc replaced last spring($800)

it's my bearings in my rear axle

need to clarify here... the rear axle seals, etc... did they also do the axleshaft bearings? is this what you mean by "etc"?

and this other mechanic that said it's the bearings in the rear axle.. does he mean the axleshaft bearings, or does he mean carrier and/or pinion bearing?

because they are 2 completely different jobs.

and just rear axleshaft bearings and seals... is definately not an $800 job.

 

[suecap]

I was leaking fluid in my back wheel back when in the spring when I had the rear end work done so whatever goes along with that, no I don't think any type of bearing was replaced. Regarding what my new mechanic said about the bearings in my rear axle - not sure which ones he meant - he said there were like 5 or 6 and "if I went in to replace one you might as well replace them all" is what he said. The whirring noise, which is getting louder and louder, is heard only when I accelerate and then down shift.

 

[gavin]

the hole rear axle assy consists of 5 bearings.

Between these 5, they are really 3 different jobs.

You have the rear axle shaft bearings... these can easily be done by somebody with even a little mechanical know-how, and just a few hours.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214805

Then there's the pinion bearing. This can generally be done without messing with the ring gears.

And then there's the carrier bearings, which require pulling the R&P, and having to re-set the gears. This would be the most expensive job, since it can be time consuming to properly get the gears set up.