97 GMC Jimmy front axle shaft noise

[platinumjason]

Got a 97 Jimmy, started to hear some griding and high pitched noise and whatnot so I figured it was the wheel bearing. I replace that but I still have some of the noise, took the tire back off and moved around the rotor to figure out the noise and it seems to be coming from either the axle shaft itself or where it slides into at the differential. So the question is, is there a bearing or a bushing that the shaft slides into there that could be causing my noise and if so how easy or hard it it to repair and whats the general price that this usually costs.

[82Stang]

Did you make sure the noise wasn't coming from the rotor hitting the backing plate?

[platinumjason]

Thats what I thought it was being it got a little bent but It sounds like its coming form where the axle slides into the differential or whatever it is. I noticed the pads are also rubbing a bit on the side with the changed wheel bearing, maybe this is a clue to whats going wrong?

[82Stang]

You could try a new axle shaft, but dumping money w/o knowing for sure can be costly. If it were me, I'd pull the caliper/rotor/tie rod and pop the axle out to physically look at the shaft to make sure their isn't any damage to it. Axle shafts are relatively cheap for your vehicle(@70 bucks/advance auto). Once you have the axle out you can rotate the wheel bearing assy and see if there is any noise w/o the axle in place.

Good luck!

[platinumjason]

Thanks for the reply, Ill give it a try.

[platinumjason]

Alright after tearing my wheel bearing back off and checking out the drive shaft, I tried to wiggle it and move it around and it moves in and out about 1/2 inch. Im not sure if this much is normal or not. Just wondering if there happens to be anything that goes between the axle shaft and where is slides into that acts kind of like a bumper between the two? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Also anyone happen to know where I can find an exploded diagram of this by chance?