As the title says, there's a grinding coming from my rear end. When coasting but a little louder under acceleration. The diffs and ring/pinion look to be in good shape and the u joints don't have noticeable slop. I am assuming its the rear wheel bearings but i could be wrong. Is this a common problem? It does have high mileage. I don't want to waste my time changing the wrong bearings if I'm wrong. So what do you think the problem is? thanks

 

Bearings don't grind unless they are FUBAR, has to be something else have you pulled the drums to check the brakes?

 

Raise the rear. Grab the tire at 12 o'clock & 6 o'clock, and shake it back and forth. Also, try spinning it by hand. Look for brownish powder on the inside of the rim, it's a sign the bearings are being chewed up.

Hope that helps.

 

Front pinion bearing in the diff?

 

The brakes are fine besides being weak. I recently changed the rear wheel cylinders actually and replaced an axle seal that was leaking. I recall there was some play in the axle shafts when I was changing the seals.

 

I know the front pinion seal is leaking but I dont know about the bearing condition. It sure sounds like the noise is more towards the rear. I could be wrong though.