Top 10 How To Check Pinion Bearing 16213 People Liked This Answer

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How do you diagnose a pinion bearing?

Clunking sound every few feet: Such a sound at fairly regular intervals could be a sign of a broke ring gear or pinion gear. Howl or whine while driving straight: That sort of sound may be an indication of a number of problems. A whine during deceleration may mean there is a bad or loose pinion bearing.

What happens when pinion bearing goes out?

A bad pinion bearing makes a whirring noise at all speed levels, during acceleration or deceleration. Instead of rumbling, a bad pinion bearing whirs due to its turning speed, which is a lot faster than the carrier, depending on the gear ratio.

What happens if you don’t fix a pinion bearing?

Ignoring a broken pinion bearing risks damaging gears in the differential, including the pinion. Long-term, irreversible damage to the axle becomes a risk when the differential is damaged or broken.

How much does it cost to have a pinion bearing replaced?

The Best in Auto Repair

The average cost for pinion seal replacement is between $239 and $288. Labor costs are estimated between $180 and $227 while parts are priced between $59 and $61. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.

What does a loose pinion sound like?

There are several symptoms that can indicate a problem with the pinion bearing. Noise: A bad pinion bearing will often make a whining or growling noise when the car is in motion. The noise may be worse when the car is first started, and it may change in pitch as the vehicle speed increases.

How is rear end noise diagnosed?

A knocking or clicking sound may be due to the splines on the axle shafts being worn out, in which case the defective shaft has to be replaced. Another reason for this may be chipped teeth on one or more of the gears in the differential. Again, they’ll need to be replaced.

What should pinion bearing preload be?

Depending on the style of the assembly, either a crush collar or shims can be used to adjust pinion depth. Once the pinion depth has been set, pinion preload must be applied while rotating the pinion. For used bearings, set preload at 15 in. -lbs.; with new bearings, set preload with 25 in.

How important is pinion bearing preload?

A slight preload bearing setting assures that proper gear tooth contact is maintained between the pinion and ring gear. This minimizes gear wear and extends the tooth life of both gears. Debris in the axle system is reduced when gear wear is minimized.

Do you pack pinion bearings with grease?

Do NOT use bearing grease on your carrier bearings or pinion bearings when setting up your differential. This could cause premature failure from the oil not having the ability to lurbicate the bearings properly. Use clean gear oil only to pre-lubricate your bearings during the install.

Can a pinion bearing cause vibration?

The pinion gear rotates at driveshaft speed and can mimic a driveshaft speed-related vibration. Improper pinion bearing preload can cause what appears to be a pinion seal leak, but the seal is fine, the pinion gear is moving vertically, horizontally, or diagonally as is rotates.

Can a pinion bearing cause vibration?

The pinion gear rotates at driveshaft speed and can mimic a driveshaft speed-related vibration. Improper pinion bearing preload can cause what appears to be a pinion seal leak, but the seal is fine, the pinion gear is moving vertically, horizontally, or diagonally as is rotates.

How long do differential bearings last?

How long does a wheel bearing last? Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of 136,000 to 160,000 km (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles).

What causes a pinion gear to break?

Improper gear break-in procedures may cause overloading and overheating of the ring and pinion gears as well as break down of the gear oil. Failure to properly break-in a new gear set can be identified by inspection, and may void the manufacturer’s warranty.


Differential Pinion Bearing Noise
Differential Pinion Bearing Noise


How to Listen For Rear Differential Problems | ZBAG – News

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How to Listen For Rear Differential Problems | ZBAG  - News
How to Listen For Rear Differential Problems | ZBAG – News

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What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic

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What is a Pinion Bearing

What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms

What Causes Pinion Bearing Failure

Important Tips and Tricks for Long Life Pinion Bearings

Final Words

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What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic
What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic

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Setting Pinion Bearing Preload — Yukon Gear & Axle – YouTube

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Setting Pinion Bearing Preload — Yukon Gear & Axle - YouTube
Setting Pinion Bearing Preload — Yukon Gear & Axle – YouTube

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When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) – My Car Makes Noise

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) – My Car Makes Noise Updating Ignoring a broken pinion bearing risks damaging gears in the differential, including the pinion. Long-term, irreversible damage to the axle becomes a risk
  • Table of Contents:

Pinion Bearing Basics

Where Is the Pinion Bearing Located on the Car

What Does the Pinion Bearing Do

What Causes Pinion Bearing Failure

Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms

How Do You Check a Pinion Bearing

So What Happens When a Pinion Bearing Goes Bad

Recommended Pinion Bearing Kits

About Us

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When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) - My Car Makes Noise
When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) – My Car Makes Noise

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What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic When a pinion bearing goes bad, one foremost occurrence is the noticeable whirring noise it produces, vibrations, gear grinding, and tire damage … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic When a pinion bearing goes bad, one foremost occurrence is the noticeable whirring noise it produces, vibrations, gear grinding, and tire damage … Vehicles make mobility easy for us. However, to continue enjoying the benefits of possessing a car, it is essential to understand its maintenance; otherwise, not…
  • Table of Contents:

What is a Pinion Bearing

What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms

What Causes Pinion Bearing Failure

Important Tips and Tricks for Long Life Pinion Bearings

Final Words

ABOUT US

Affiliate Disclosure

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What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic
What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic

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How to tell if a pinion bearing is bad? | IH8MUD Forum

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about How to tell if a pinion bearing is bad? | IH8MUD Forum pull the rear driveshaft and check your pinion nut,you should not have any play,and are the driveshaft yokes fazed, (lined up from end to end) … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to tell if a pinion bearing is bad? | IH8MUD Forum pull the rear driveshaft and check your pinion nut,you should not have any play,and are the driveshaft yokes fazed, (lined up from end to end) … I’ve got a BJ42 with a full floater rear end. I think I might have a bad pinion bearing.

    It’s not losing gear lube past the pinion seal. It doesn’t lose…

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How to tell if a pinion bearing is bad? | IH8MUD Forum
How to tell if a pinion bearing is bad? | IH8MUD Forum

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Bad Pinion Bearing Noise Symptoms – Causes, Fixes, And Cost To Replace – Car, Truck And Vehicle How To Guides – Vehicle Freak

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Bad Pinion Bearing Noise Symptoms – Causes, Fixes, And Cost To Replace – Car, Truck And Vehicle How To Guides – Vehicle Freak It’s also important to check the pinion-bearing preload regularly. This can be done by removing the driveshaft or axle shaft and checking for … If you’re hearing a loud noise when turning your car’s steering wheel, there’s a good chance you have a bad pinion bearing. This can be a serious issue, as it
  • Table of Contents:

What’s a Pinion Bearing

Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms

What Causes Pinion Bearing Damage

How to Prevent Pinion Bearing Damage

How to Fix Pinion Bearing Problems

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Pinion Bearings

What Tools Do I Need to Replace a Pinion Bearing

How to Replace Pinion Bearings

FAQs

Conclusion

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Bad Pinion Bearing Noise Symptoms - Causes, Fixes, And Cost To Replace - Car, Truck And Vehicle How To Guides - Vehicle Freak
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When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) – My Car Makes Noise

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  • Table of Contents:

Pinion Bearing Basics

Where Is the Pinion Bearing Located on the Car

What Does the Pinion Bearing Do

What Causes Pinion Bearing Failure

Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms

How Do You Check a Pinion Bearing

So What Happens When a Pinion Bearing Goes Bad

Recommended Pinion Bearing Kits

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When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) - My Car Makes Noise
When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations) – My Car Makes Noise

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Differential Bearing Kits – Transtar Industries

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    Differential Bearing Kits – Transtar Industries
    Transtar’s Differential Bearing Kits include: Front and Rear Pinion Bearings, … To check the gear tooth pattern, paint several ring gear teeth with gear … …
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    Differential Bearing Kits – Transtar Industries
    Transtar’s Differential Bearing Kits include: Front and Rear Pinion Bearings, … To check the gear tooth pattern, paint several ring gear teeth with gear …
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Differential Bearing Kits

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	Differential Bearing Kits - Transtar Industries
Differential Bearing Kits – Transtar Industries

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Diagnosing Differential Problems – West Coast Differentials

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Diagnosing Differential Problems – West Coast Differentials Whirring noise only while decelerating at any or all speeds is most likely caused by bad pinion bearings or loose pinion bearing preload, and almost never … Diagnosing differential problems can be tricky. Have a grind, whine, howl, chatter or clunk? We can help you diagnose it, and we have the parts to fix it!
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Diagnosing Differential Problems - West Coast Differentials
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Rear pinion bearing check – DodgeForum.com

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 Rear pinion bearing check - DodgeForum.com
Rear pinion bearing check – DodgeForum.com

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How to Detect Problems with Your Rear Differential Using Just Your Ears

Zumbrota Bearing and Gear sells new, used, and remanufactured rear differentials for a variety of makes and models.

Fortunately for drivers of rear wheel drive vehicles, the rear differential is extremely reliable and gives vehicle owners years of trouble free service. There are, however, times when problems may develop. Many of the most common problems can be detected early, and with proper service and repair, vehicle owners may avoid some hefty repair costs. Every driver has two indispensable tools at their disposal to detect early problems – their own two ears.

By listening to how your vehicle normally operates and developing an awareness of the sounds it makes on a daily basis, you can “tune your ears” to pick up anything that sounds abnormal. Why is it so important to become familiar with these sounds?

The differential of a rear wheel drive vehicle is a fairly complicated assembly. They operate in demanding conditions at high speeds of rotation. That means the tolerances for how gears and bearings are balanced and mesh are exact. What does a rear differential do? The power of the engine, through the transmission and drive shaft, is transferred to the rear differential. Through the differential, all of that power and torque is delivered to your vehicle’s drive wheels.

To make that process even more complicated, the power that is delivered to the rear wheels can’t always be delivered with the same speed of rotation to both rear wheels. When turning a corner, the inside wheel has to spin at a lower rate than the outside wheel. That difference in speed varies depending on how sharp the turn is. That’s where the term “differential” comes from. This makes it all the more important to properly maintain this important part of your vehicle’s drivetrain.

As you “tune your ears” to listen for potential problems, here are some sounds to listen for:

Clunking, rumble, or howl when cornering: This may indicate a problem with the spider, or side gear. Depending on how extreme the sound, it could mean there has been a leak of lubricant, a worn spider gear, or even a broken gear.

Clunking sound every few feet: Such a sound at fairly regular intervals could be a sign of a broke ring gear or pinion gear.

Howl or whine while driving straight: That sort of sound may be an indication of a number of problems. A whine during deceleration may mean there is a bad or loose pinion bearing. A howl during acceleration may indicate the same problem. Rumble or whining sounds only at speeds greater than 20 mph could be a sign of a worn carrier bearing. The sound may change while cornering.

The rear differential in your car or truck is built to be tough and reliable, but always keep in mind what a complex assembly it is. It’s made up of numerous gears, bearings, and assemblies of various types, operating at fine levels of tolerance. If you need a new or rebuilt differential, or the assemblies to rebuild one yourself, there is no better source for parts and service than Zumbrota Bearing and Gear.

At Zumbrota Bearing and Gear, we are experts in what it takes to keep you on the road. The combination of our extensive inventory, quality products, and team of experienced technicians guarantee your satisfaction and thousands of miles of trouble free driving on the road ahead.

What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms? – Rx Mechanic

Vehicles make mobility easy for us. However, to continue enjoying the benefits of possessing a car, it is essential to understand its maintenance; otherwise, not understanding bad pinion-bearing symptoms and other faults can lead to a disaster in your vehicle.

Unexpected breakdown of vehicles do not suddenly occur; there are usually noticeable symptoms before any sudden breakdown. If you notice signs of a faulty part of your vehicle, you should seek the attention of a professional mechanic to fix the problem.

Driving with a bad pinion bearing can be frustrating; from the whirring sound to the damages it causes on the differential, driveshaft, and transmission in your vehicle are all signs of a worn-out pinion bearing.

If you are wondering, “What is a pinion bearing?” and the signs to look out for in a bad pinion bearing; this article is to expose what it feels like to drive a vehicle with a bad pinion bearing.

What is a Pinion Bearing?

A pinion is a round gear, usually the smaller amongst two meshed gears, used in various applications, such as drivetrain and rack and pinion systems.

The rack and pinion gear set perform two primary functions: the reduction of gears, which enables the steering wheel to turn the wheels easily, and the conversion of the steering wheel’s rotational motion into linear motion, which helps the wheels of the vehicle turn easily.

A pinion bearing helps the smallest gears in the differential work efficiently. Differentials consist of a series of cogs and gears, and it is the smallest gears that enable one wheel to rotate faster than the other safely. Meanwhile, the pinion nuts help to hold the pinion gear and the driveshaft yoke together securely.

What are the Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms?

The following are noticeable signs of a bad pinion bearing in a vehicle.

Whirring Noise: One of the pronounced bad pinion-bearing symptoms is its whirring noise during acceleration or deceleration at various speeds. Worn out pinion bearings create more whirring noise rather than rumbling because it rotates several times faster than the carrier assembly of the vehicle.

Vibrations: Vibration is one of the pronounced signs you can easily notice. Worn-out pinion bearing results in noticeable vibration or differential noise on acceleration.

Gear grinding: Gear grinding or humming noise is another symptom that reveals a bad pinion bearing. The gear grinding is produced in the process of acceleration of the vehicle.

Tire damage: Tire damage is also one of the bad front pinion-bearing symptoms. Due to the higher speed of the inner tires, which is more than what the inner thread can sustain, the vehicle tires tend to wear out or get damaged in taking corners with the wheels and tires traveling at the same speed.

What Causes Pinion Bearing Failure?

Pinion bearing failure is traceable to some of the following causes.

Failure from Lubrication: About 80 percent of pinion bearing failure is traceable to inadequate lubrication. Sometimes, it could be insufficient lubrication, inappropriate lubricants, or degradation of lubricants due to excessive temperature.

Corrosion: Corrosion is another cause of pinion-bearing failure. Corrosion could result from acid, moisture, broken down or low-quality grease, etc.

Contamination: The entrance of unnecessary/alien substances such as dirt, dust, abrasive grits, etc., can contaminate the pinion bearing, resulting in its failure.

Misalignment: Misalignment can result from bent shafts, out-of-square clamping nuts, out-of-space shaft shoulders, out-of-square spacers, and improper installations. This error can lead to overheating and separator failure.

Improper Mounting: Pinion bearings should be mounted with a press on the floating ring. Mounting bearings on shafts by applying blows or pressure on the outer race, poor finish on the bearing seat, etc., can result in pinion bearing failure.

False Brinelling: False brinelling results from lack of rotation in the bearing, which disables fresh lubricants from returning to the spot, and a rapid movement of the balls while the vehicle is idle.

Fatigue: Overloading, excessive preload, the tight inner ring fits, and excessive bearing above lifespan can result in fatigue, which later results in pinion bearing failure.

Overheating: Improper lubrication and excessive temperature can cause overheating. High temperature can cause loss of lubricating oils from grease, resulting in dryness that causes the bearing to seize.

Excessive Loads: Exerting too many loads than necessary on a bearing can also cause pinion bearing failure.

Important Tips and Tricks for Long Life Pinion Bearings

Understanding the causes of pinion bearing failures and the symptoms of bad pinion bearings is a significant advantage for ensuring long-life pinion bearings. However, you don’t have to wait until you observe the symptoms of your bad pinion bearing. It is better to take preventive measures to ensure that your pinion bearing lasts longer.

The following are some essential tips and tricks for long-life pinion bearings.

Proper lubrication: It is essential to use the appropriate or recommended lubricant for pinion bearing to ensure its longevity. Avoid loss of grease and pay necessary attention to recommended intervals for an oil change.

Careful mounting: Endeavor to follow proper mounting instructions provided by your vehicle manufacturer or vehicle experts when mounting bearings.

Keep corrosive fluid away: Ensure to keep corrosive fluids such as acid, water, etc., away from the bearing area to avoid corrosion.

Reduce loads: Ascertain the maximum amount of load the pinion bearing can carry and stick to it, or use a bearing with greater capacity for loads.

Carefully store bearing before use: Make sure you store bearings in a dry environment at room temperature. Ensure to cover bearings to keep them clean during storage. Do not unwrap to expose until you are ready to use, and then move them to the installation site when they are ready for use.

FAQs

Q: What happens when a pinion bearing goes bad?

When a pinion bearing goes bad, one foremost occurrence is the noticeable whirring noise it produces, vibrations, gear grinding, and tire damage.

Q: How much does it cost to replace a pinion bearing?

The replacement of a pinion bearing would cost an average of $239 – $286. Parts are estimated to cost about $66 – $68, while the labor costs would be around $173 – $218.

Q: What noise does a bad pinion bearing make?

A bad pinion bearing makes a whirring noise at all speed levels, during acceleration or deceleration. Instead of rumbling, a bad pinion bearing whirs due to its turning speed, which is a lot faster than the carrier, depending on the gear ratio.

Q: What does a bad rear axle bearing sound like?

A bad rear axle bearing produces a loud clanking, clicking, or clunking sound when you put your vehicle into gear. These sounds are usually produced on the side with the faulty axle bearing, and the sound increases whenever you try to make a fast or sharp turn.

Q: How do you remove a pinion bearing?

If you are experiencing differential backlash symptoms or signs that your pinion bearing is worn out and you need to remove a pinion bearing, the following steps can make the process easy for you.

Step 1: Lift the vehicle with a four-post or two posts lifter as the case may be. Lose the propeller and the flange. Remove the wheels and the rear axles.

Step 2: Use a cutoff tool to cut the pinion-bearing cage. Then remove the cage and the bearings. After that, carefully cut a channel in the inner race, which is pressed on the carrier, while ensuring not to cut into the carrier so that the process is not damaged.

Step 3: Put a chisel in the channel you have created by the cut. Then strike it with a big hammer so that the inner race can break. The inner race will either loosen and fall off or break off immediately, depending on the force exerted on the chisel. However, you should do it with care.

Step 4: Get a two-by-four block of wood, place the opposite end of the carrier on the block wood, install the new bearing on it as far as necessary manually, and ensure that the placement is straight enough.

Then drive the bearing on with the pipe and the big hammer. Hit it down until everything fully seats on the inner flange.

This video can help you further understand the process of removing a pinion bearing.

Q: How do you fix a loose pinion bearing preload?

If you are experiencing loose pinion bearing preload symptoms, simply remove shims in order to tighten the bearing against the races and then increase the pinion bearing preload.

Final Words

Why should you risk the total damage of your vehicle when you can easily ascertain bad pinion-bearing symptoms? This article has exposed the need for you to carry out adequate maintenance or repair on your vehicle when necessary. The causes of pinion-bearing failure and its symptoms have also been dealt with.

Now, you may not have to ask, “How do you know if your pinion bearing is bad” anymore. You need to examine your vehicle whenever you find any of the symptoms discussed above and then take necessary measures to rectify the problem by changing the bad pinion bearing.

When to Replace Pinion Bearing? (With Recommendations)

Ignoring a broken pinion bearing risks damaging gears in the differential, including the pinion. Long-term, irreversible damage to the axle becomes a risk when the differential is damaged or broken.

If you think your vehicle has a bad pinion bearing, here is how to tell and what to do about it.

Pinion Bearing Basics

A pinion bearing helps regulate the movement of a pinion, which is a gear that plays a vital role in a differential. The purpose of a differential is to let vehicles corner more smoothly, safely, and comfortably while alleviating stress off the axle.

Gears in the differential allow the wheels to rotate individually instead of all the wheels rotating at the same speed. When cornering, internal wheels rotate faster than external wheels. The disparity in rotation speed creates an immense amount of stress across the entire axle.

If left alone, that stress can damage the axle. In the worst-case scenario, the stress can degrade the axle to the point that it starts to tear apart.

Where Is the Pinion Bearing Located on the Car?

The pinion bearing is a component in the differential of a vehicle. The differential is between the wheels, where the drive shave meets the axle. Depending on whether your vehicle is front, rear, or all-wheel drive, the differential is located on the front, rear, or both axles.

What Does the Pinion Bearing Do?

When you turn your vehicle, the inside wheels rotate faster than the outside. The differential compensates for that by allowing the wheels to rotate at the speeds they should naturally rotate, even if that is different from one side of the vehicle to the other.

What Causes Pinion Bearing Failure?

No part in a vehicle lasts forever. Most auto parts have a lifespan that experience has taught will generally be consistent across that part no matter who manufactures it. Pinion bearings are no different.

Here are the most common causes of pinion-bearing failure.

1) Lack of Adequate Lubrication

Inadequate lubrication accounts for the majority of pinion bearings that fail. There are multiple reasons a pinion bearing might not be getting enough lubrication, including:

Degrading of bearing lubricant due to high temperatures

Improper lubricant applied to the bearing

Insufficient amounts of lubricant

Leaking lubricant, such as when a pinion seal goes bad

Of those four possibilities, a lubricant leak is the most likely issue leading to a pinion bearing going bad. Lubricant leaks can occur if the pinion seal is damaged or the differential experienced trauma.

2) Corrosion

The undercarriage of any vehicle absorbs significant amounts of abuse. As part of a routine drive, the undercarriage experiences extreme weather and temperatures, road salt, collisions with multiple types of road hazards, etc. When a differential is damaged, corrosion can be one consequence.

It can come from exposure to toxic chemicals, acid, moisture, low-quality lubricant, exposure to salt, and much more. Depending on the type of corrosion, once it starts, it can be almost impossible to reverse. The only way to stop corrosion once it starts is to replace the affected part.

3) Contamination

Because the differential does take a lot of abuse, it gets exposed to many contaminants like dirt, sand, gravel, dust, mud, rocks, water, snow, ice, etc. Each can penetrate a damaged differential, and, in the cases of water, snow and ice, can bring with it particles of dirt and debris that can find their way into the pinion bearing.

If the exposure is limited, the possibility of contamination is limited. If, however, the differential is repeatedly exposed to contaminants, the damage can build over time. Eventually, the grit from those contaminants grind away at all the components in the differential, including the pinion bearings.

4) Poor Alignment

There are many ways a misalignment can occur, including improper installations, bent shafts, and other parts that are not aligned as they are supposed to be. When a misalignment occurs, it can stress the gears in the differential and put undue pressure on the pinion bearing.

5) Improper Mounting

Improper mounting happens in a variety of ways. One way to get an improper mount is by ignoring the prescribed directions. Another is by damaging parts during the mounting procedure.

If bearing parts are hammered into place, or forced to squeeze into an area the bearings do not fit, the bearings can be dented, chipped, or even broken.

6) Brinelling

Brinelling is the indentation of a bearing because it cannot sufficiently move to lubricate itself. If a pinion bearing cannot rotate properly, lubricant will not spread evenly. Uneven lubrication can lead to a bearing developing a dent.

7) Overheating

When the pinion bearing is not lubricated properly, excessive heat develops. Excessive heat will damage bearings and even alter their appearance or cause the bearings to seize.

Finally, one other cause of pinion-bearing failure is simple age. Pinion bearings do not last forever. If your vehicle has over 150,000 miles, the possibility of the pinion bearing degrading increases. Proper maintenance reduces the threat of pinion bearings becoming damaged because of age.

Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms

When pinion bearings start to break down, several distinctive symptoms become prominent.

1) A Whirring Noise

A whirring noise when a vehicle accelerates is the signature symptom of a pinion bearing that is bad or is about to go break. The whirring noise will come and go at various speeds. The more worn the pinion bearings are, the more pronounced the whirring sound becomes.

2) Vibrations

As pinion bearings degrade, a vibration will develop, especially when turning or accelerating. If your vehicle has not collided with anything or any other situation that could knock it out of alignment and suddenly starts to vibrate, sometimes violently, inspect the pinion bearing.

3) Gear Grinding

When the gears in a differential are grinding, they produce a humming noise. When the damage gets worse, the grinding becomes pronounced.

4) Tire Damage

When a pinion bearing goes, it almost always leads to tire damage if not addressed quickly. Most of the tire damage happens when the vehicle is taking a corner. Usually, the damage occurs to the inner tire first.

How Do You Check a Pinion Bearing?

It is difficult to check on a pinion bearing on your own if you do not know what you are doing. Even using a standard jack or borrowing a lift does not make the process of physically checking the pinion bearing easier or quicker.

Whether you want to try and DIY the solution or have your mechanic work on it, you still want your mechanic to verify your suspicions that you are dealing with a bad pinion bearing. Swapping out pinion bearings is not a complicated job, but you want to make sure that is the problem that needs your attention.

Since the only way to verify a pinion bearing needs replacement is to pull the differential apart, you will have to rely on your observation and critical thinking skills. Your goal is to gather as much information as possible and present that information to our mechanic.

If you are going the DIY route, using that same process will help you determine you have a bad pinion bearing without yanking your differential apart. Here is the process you need to follow.

Tools and Equipment Needed

The following are the tools you need to make a reasonably accurate assessment of the status of your pinion bearings.

Your observation skills, including fresh eyes, nose, ears, and touch

A flashlight

A lift to raise your vehicle

Rags

Mat to document any leaks

Step 1: Drive Your Vehicle

Take your vehicle for a ride and drive at different speeds. Stop and go several times. Accelerate and then decelerate. Turn the vehicle several times in each direction while moving forward and in reverse. While you are doing it, pay attention to how your vehicle responds.

Step 2: Use Your Observation Skills

While driving your vehicle, with all sounds off (no radio, heat or AC, other people talking, etc.) observe whether your vehicle:

Is making a whirring sound, particularly when accelerating

Has a grinding noise or the tell-tale hum

Develops an erratic but predictable vibration

Step 3: Inspect Your tires

After driving your vehicle, take a moment and inspect your tires. Ask yourself the following:

Does the inside look more worn?

Is one side more worn than the other?

Is any of the wear and tear “premature” given the age of your tires and the mileage on them?

Step 4: Look for Leaks

Place the mat under your differentials and let it sit for a night. In the morning, inspect the mat for drippings from the differential.

Get under the vehicle and look at either end of the differential. Are there signs of streaking from leaking liquids that are coming out when the vehicle is driven?

After you have done all that, document your findings and take your vehicle in for a mechanic to look at it. Do not go with just your estimate unless you happen to be a mechanic or are very familiar with vehicles. You do not, as mentioned, want to spend money on fixing a pinion bearing that is not broken while the part that is broken remains unfixed.

So, What Happens When a Pinion Bearing Goes Bad?

Several outcomes can arise from having a bad pinion bearing. They are:

Your vehicle starts making humming and whirring noises

Your vehicle develops a vibration that can pose a driving hazard

Your vehicle struggles around corners and becomes a lot less comfortable to ride in

The stress on your axle becomes acute and you end up needing a bunch of undercarriage and wheel work

The first two will happen as soon as the bearing starts to rapidly deteriorate. The last two will happen if you ignore the issue.

Recommended Pinion Bearing Kits

If you are mechanically inclined and familiar with vehicles, you can swap out your pinion bearings. If you are not that mechanically inclined or have never worked on a vehicle, trying to DIY a pinion-bearing swap is not recommended.

The following are some general recommendations for pinion bearing kits:

Yukon Gear and Axle Differential Bearing Kit

Yukon is a trusted name with a reputation for quality products and excellent customer service. Make sure you check to see if the kit you are interested in buying will fit your vehicle.

USA Standard Gear Differential Rebuild Kit

This is also a generic pinion bearing kit. USA Standard advertises that their kit utilizes Koyo bearings and races. You will have to research the kit that is right for your vehicle.

Motive Gear Master Bearing Kit with Timken Bearings

Any of these kits are assured to be of high quality. Timken bearings are highly recommended. As with any of these kits, check and make sure it fits your vehicle.

Vehicle Manufacturer’s Recommendations

These will tend to be more expensive but often have better warranties. The other advantage to using a manufacturer’s recommendation is that you are assured the part will fit.

Dorman Differential Bearing Kit

Dorman is a respected name. They specialize in “new to aftermarket” products.

So you have finished reading the how to check pinion bearing topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: how to check pinion preload, pinion preload noise, bad pinion bearing symptoms, how to set preload on pinion bearing, pinion bearing noise, how is pinion bearing preload checked and adjusted, pinion bearing noise on acceleration, how to set pinion bearing preload without torque wrench

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