Diff Pinion Bearing

[David53]

My Diff Pinion Bearing is becoming noisy and will need to be replaced. Is this a job which I could manage myself? I have been told the split case diff is a nightmare to disassemble and work on. Does anyone have any experience with this job?

[mike.perry]

Are you sure that it is the diff pinion bearing, not the wheel bearing? If it is the pinion bearing then which side?
Read the workshop manual instructions and unless it is really serious ignore it!!!!!!!!!

[David53]

Definitely the diff bearing, only noisy under load. It will only get worse and eventually will start the cause damage to the crown etc. it's going to need to be done.

[mike.perry]

Getting mixed up with diff bearings and pinion bearings. The pinion bearings are in a set with a spacer between. The diff bearings are either side of the diff. How do you tell which bearings are noisy? Generally it is the outer bearings on the ends of the axle which need changing.
I suppose that I could look at an old axle and work out how to get the pinion bearings out but I think that you have to split the case.

[David53]

It is the pinion bearings. There is a small amount of movement at the flange.

[mike.perry]

Have you tried tightening the pinion nut?

[David53]

Yes, despite handbrake on and wheels chocked it turned the back wheels, so no joy there