Replace Axle Assembly Or Wheel Bearings ?

[wtdowney]

I have a 1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. Recently, my mechanic replaced the rear brake lines and adjusted the brakes. I drove the car 30 miles. When I stopped, smoke was pouring out of the right rear wheel well. Wheel, tire, hub all hot enough to burn flesh. Smoke continued for 10 minutes. Had it towed via flatbed to mechanic. He says rear wheel bearing shot, no connection to brake adjustment, and we should replace entire axle assembly - differential, housing, shafts - the whole rear end, using a used axle assembly. I have suggested just replacing wheel bearings - and, of course, the necessary brake items. He says the axle shafts on my Buick will be damaged, and thus, a new wheel bearing will fail and thus, we must replace the whole rear end. I would like to get another 20,000 miles out of this car - and putting in a used rear end seems overkill. Also, I am concerned that a used rear end will have it's own problems - no guarantees. And finally, I have a low (like 2.73 ??) ratio differential, and the used replacements he has located are all higher - hence, worse gas mileage … and I have plenty of acceleration right now. So, question: is just replacing the rear wheel bearings a gamble that has any chance of success ? A few hundred dollars for a wheel bearing repair seems to me a gamble worth taking, when installing a whole second-hand rear end will cost around $ 2000.

 

[Buffman]

Run, not walk to new mechanic.

You need new axles and new bearings. Replace them in pairs, and call it a day. You don't need an entire rear end replacement.

This happens because the factory gasket covered the oil holes in the housing to supply oil to the bearings.

Don't get a bearing saver. Get new bearings and axles, and be done with it.

 

[200OZ]

Whats the price difference? That should be the real question. Installing a good used axle assembly may be cheaper than new axle shafts, and bearings.
Slightly taller 2.93, or 3.23 rear gears may give you better fuel mileage around town than your shorter 2.73s.

 

[paart]

He stated that he was quoted $2K to replace the whole assembly with a used one. There's a fair amount of work involved with brake lines, e-brake, transferring brake components (just renewed) etc. But 2 grand is still a lot, considering the possibility that the axle bearings could be ready "to go" on the used rear, or even worse, the differential/carrier itself could be worn.

If you want to go the "used" route, I'd be tempted to get a couple used axles with bearings at a junk yard, and put them in. At least you can inspect them before installation, and GM axle bearings don't go bad too often. Or buy used axles and put new bearings on them. The axle itself doesn't usually wear much until the bearing itself fails.

 

[Buffman]

new axles are $170~ each or less. $60 for bearings. maybe 2hrs of labor MAX

 

[Griswold]

Axle shafts "will be damaged", or are damaged?

I had this on an 81 Bel Air. Mechanic said that the axle shaft was slightly scored, and big bucks to replace. I asked "what would you do if it was your car?". Answer was try just replacing the bearing and seal first. Did that, and put another 200K on it without a problem.

 

[200OZ]

Oh yeah, I see the 2K price now, sorry I somehow missed that in the original post.
2K is nuts, Buffman's right run to a different mech. A used axle assembly at a junkyard might be $100-150.

Mike

 

[Buffman]

If there was smoke, I'd say whatever's back there, it toast.