[Jamesg408]

I have an old 94 s10 truck. I changed all the front wheel bearings and now the rear is starting to make noise. I opened up the differential and checked the inner bearings and they look good so I know the outer ones in the axle is the problem. The guy at the parts store said the ones in the differential are the important ones. He also said the outer ones in the axle will just make noise and not cause any damage. Is this true? I really want to avoid this job. Thanks

 

[Mostizzle]

If the outters get too bad they can leak, come apart, tear up the axles, etc...

 

[oldeerslayer]

Agree.
The outers ride directly on the axle w/o an inner race. If they go bad you'll probably need new axles. I seem to remember a repair bushing of some sort being available if the axle gets scored, but that's kind of a band aid fix. And IIRC not particularly cheap.

 

[67Truckin]

Agreed. It's usually the outer ones that go bad. If you do replace the bearings put new seals in too.

 

[Jamesg408]

Cool thanks guys

 

[Mostizzle]

Some may find it cheaper and/or easier to just put another rear end in it? Idk. They're 100 dollars or less here.

 

[Jamesg408]

What do you mean by rear end?

 

[Rhotpursuit]

What do you mean by rear end?

The thing that makes the wheels go round...aka...differential

 

[Jamesg408]

Oh I see what you mean. Do you have any links to reputable sellers? The cheapest ones on google are around 4 or 500

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Any junkyard in your area will have them They're not terribly expensive. Check the Transmission/Rearend section for a list of codes that match the codes in your glovebox. Then check the codes in the glovebox of the vehicles you looking at.

 

[Jamesg408]

My problem is the bearings outside the differential

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Here are the codes. Your bearings won't matter if you replace the entire rear end.

rear axle ratio RPO

GU4=3.08 GU5=3.23 GU6=3.42 GT4=3.73 GT5=4.10 HC4=4.56 G80 - locking differential compare to the codes in your glove box to know which gear ratio you have :)

www.s10forum.com

 

[Jamesg408]

Thanks for the help. Sorry I'm new to junkyards. Do I just call and ask or do I go there and find the same truck I have?

 

[manbearpig]

Depends on the yard. There's self serve and there's the ones that won't let you roam around. You'll have to figure out which ones you have in your area. Pick and Pull has an online database that's pretty helpful. www.row52.com

Also note that the cheapest places are the ones that have you pick the stuff yourself, and usually cash only. Pick and Pull will literally nickle and dime you to death because they itemize every part on a receipt.

 

[98Sonosls]

Picking a rear axle in a yard is not anyones idea of a fun time... some yards will have some of the axles already on a rack from various vehicles, if you can find a yard that has that it'll save you some hard labor in a muddy oily hole.

 

[Harley]

Also check Craigslist or Facebook for someone parting out a truck or having a spare axle sitting around. Much more likely to learn the history of the rear and the typical S10 axle isn't worth much. I wouldn't be surprised if you find one on Craigslist for $100 or less.

 

[manbearpig]

I would get a quote on replacing the axle bearings first... it's not really that hard with the right tools, which any reputable mechanic should have.