Howling 8 3/4

[Cuda72]

A few years ago the 3.55 gears (8 3/4 489) in my '72 Cuda started howling when cruising along at 45-65mph, although it hasn't gotten any louder. I was afraid of causing more damage to the rear end so I recently swapped the 3rd member out for a 4.30 pumpkin I had laying around. This setup is really fun around town but is killing me at the gas station so I was thinking of swapping it back. My question is whether the howling rear end will eventually destroy itself or is it safe to keep running? I can deal with the noise but I just don't want to get stranded with a broken rear end someday. I'm half tempted to rebuild the current 3.55 with a new gear set, seals and bearings, but I've never tackled something like that before.

[jimynick]

A howl is usually caused by a going-away bearing/s and the problem, as you noted, isn't going to get better. The fly in the ointment is that there is the possibility that a failing bearing has a catastrophic failure, binds/welds itself to it's shaft and then the shaft fails and every thing goes to hell in a hand basket PDQ! I'd be inclined to either rebuild the carrier yourself or have it done. The money you'll save in gas will probably pay for it! LOL