Tow Vehicle Rearend Noise 3500 Chev Dually

76 RACER · 06-30-2007, 02:03 AM

I have a 96 GMC 3500 and I had the exact same problem. The small pinion support bearing went south. Never knew there was a problem with it until I got to approx. 72 - 75 mph and was getting a strange small vibration. I believe all those rear ends in that time period had a small whine to them anyway. I know a few guys that have complained about the same deal. If you catch it quick enough you havent ruined any of the other bearings in the housing. I didnt take mine to a dealer to have it fixed. The prices were outta sight. Went to a truck repair shop. Freightliner dealer took care of it nicely and saved some bucks!

Bob Mulry · 06-30-2007, 03:37 AM

Do yourself a favor, if you are going to do the repair yourself, check and record the backlash so the ring and pinion will go back into the same wear pattern. If you don?t set the backlash to the original number that you had before disassembly you will end up with a VERY NOISY rear end.

Use the same pinion shim so you also have the correct location for the pinion in relation to the ring gear.

Just a heads up,
Bob

06-30-2007, 02:03 AM	#1
76 RACER Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle Rearend Noise 3500 Chev Dually I have a 96 GMC 3500 and I had the exact same problem. The small pinion support bearing went south. Never knew there was a problem with it until I got to approx. 72 - 75 mph and was getting a strange small vibration. I believe all those rear ends in that time period had a small whine to them anyway. I know a few guys that have complained about the same deal. If you catch it quick enough you havent ruined any of the other bearings in the housing. I didnt take mine to a dealer to have it fixed. The prices were outta sight. Went to a truck repair shop. Freightliner dealer took care of it nicely and saved some bucks!

06-30-2007, 03:37 AM	#2
Bob Mulry VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coarsegold, CA Posts: 1,016 Likes: 57 Liked 320 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Tow Vehicle Rearend Noise 3500 Chev Dually Do yourself a favor, if you are going to do the repair yourself, check and record the backlash so the ring and pinion will go back into the same wear pattern. If you don?t set the backlash to the original number that you had before disassembly you will end up with a VERY NOISY rear end. Use the same pinion shim so you also have the correct location for the pinion in relation to the ring gear. Just a heads up, Bob __________________ Bob Mulry 7516 STK A & M Motorsports