RE: [Chevelle-List] Outboard axle bearing going out?

[John Nasta]

Galen, usually if the bearing is bad the seal will go bad as well because of the extra pressure on the seal (it will get knocked out of round). Look for leaking axle grease.   Usually if the noise changes when you turn, it is a front bearing.   John Nasta     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Galen and Melissa Love Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 10:54 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Chevelle-List] Outboard axle bearing going out?   Hey guys, I could use some help.  I've got a noise in my rear axle.  It sounds like it's coming from the vicinity of the left rear brake, and I notice it most when I'm accelerating from low speed, especially when turning in either direction.  Most of the time it's a pretty mild noise, like there is a piece of something loose in the brake mechanism; but on occasion (especially if I try to accelerate hard), it will be a hard clunking noise with each revolution of the rear axle.   I pulled the left rear wheel off tonight and checked the brake out.  It appears fine, I can't find anything that has come loose that might be causing the noise.  I was trying to think of what else it might be, and I began wondering about the outboard axle bearing.  I did a rough endplay check on the left axle shaft, and I'm getting about 1/16" (0.0625") endplay.  This seems pretty loose to me, but I don't have a repair manual to know whether or not this is reasonable.  Does anyone know what the endplay spec is for a 12-bolt rear end?    Thanks in advance, Galen