I'm near Brentwood, CA. 55 miles east of SF. This rear end is turning into a total rebuild. It started with a sticky rear caliper that melted axle bearing grease out all over the brake pads. Well the pinion seal looked like it was weeping just getting the bottom of the carrier wet, no drips. So.....figured I got it started, might as well take the carrier out and change the pinion seal, found out that's a bit of work with a 489 case. Good thing I did, the bearings are showing what timken calls contamination (dirty oil) and after checking backlash and contact pattern something defintly was going on. For backlash I got .014 then .001 depending where I checked. If I smacked the pinion towards the case I could get .007 to .009 everywhere I checked. I don't think that's part of checking backlash! Always stayed away from rear, ends, someone else said it best there's magic or a rabid hamster in there. Well I'm in it now.......after I break it 2 or 3 times then I'll have someone else fix it!
Thanks everyone Jim