sovietterran

So, 1999 Trans-Am on a stock 10 bolt. I have gotten myself some dreaded rear end noise which I and my mechanic are pretty sure is an Axle bearing. It's a constant pulsating whirring whoosh that isn't effected by load, acceleration, or deceleration. It gets worse on left turns but goes away on right turns.


For now it's pretty quiet (hard to hear over radio or my loudmouth) but it is noticeable and my differential fluid had copper shine to it when changed.


The problem is I'm leaving for a 3000 mile road trip on Saturday following a transmission problem on my suburban, and with all that I can't afford the 500 dollar cost to replace the bearing and axle, or really even the couple hundred to pop it and check. (I'm working 50 hour weeks and have no good access to stands anymore, so not a lot I can do myself ATM.)


So, from the time I hear noise, how long do I have until failure? Will I be ok fixing it when I get back do you think?

onfire

iTrader: (17)

3000 mile road trip on a noisy axe bearing is asking for a break down at the worst possible time and place.

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

a spare stock rear should be around $300

Docrocket1967

iTrader: (1)

Ive seen these cars go quite a distance with symptoms like yours....ive also seen just the opposite. It sucks but its one of those things. Im dealing with one myself.

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

I wouldn't trust it. 3,000 miles is a lot of driving at one time. It will break at the worst possible time and end up costing more. I wouldn't do it if it was my car and I was in that situation. I would get a cheap rental car.

zachm89

iTrader: (14)

Unfortunately "cheap rental" and 3000 miles don't really go together either. You've got a ticking time bomb essentially that you can't see the timer on. It could go the whole trip and never cause any trouble, or it could leave you stranded after 1000 miles. Tough call for sure but if you do end up chancing it good luck to you on getting to where you're going and back safely and trouble free.

sovietterran

Yeah. That's what I'm worried about. I really can't afford any other options ATM.


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I know, I was just hoping for some input on whether I was saying please and winking seductively, or asking the noisy neighbors to dinner.

Looks like I'm rolling a major dice.


Really? My mechanic quoted me 500 ish for an Axle and bearing replacement. I thought decent 10 bolts were closer to a grand.

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do.

mjs1012

iTrader: (36)

10 bolts are cheap, I found a high mileage one for $150 and rebuilt it. If I were you id get it replaced before your trip, or postpone the trip til its fixed.

RockinWs6

If you plan to go at least change the oil in the rear, overfill it a bit and use a heavy 75-140 weight.

TTur1996

Why don't you just rent a vehicle for the trip. Problem solved.