Carrier Bearing

Had a very good shop weld on a new (much needed) diff cover. Immediately after picking it up there is a whine in the read the faster you go.

Well, the cover leaked a bit so I took it back to get it re-welded, and to have the noise checked out. It is the carrier bearing.

Is it safe to drive with this making noise? Will it seize, mess up my driveshaft or differential?
I've put many thousands into the truck this year and would like to give the bank account a little break. The shop said its fine to treat it like a truck and just repair it when I get annoyed and want to spend the money.

What say you TW.

 

A new Spicer carrier bearing is fairly cheap. The OEM ones (some say they are the same...) are more expensive. However, ya know what is even more expensive- A new drive shaft. Just replace it before it causes larger issues.

 

I'm also somewhat confused - the shop said carrier bearing but also said "side bearing" - these are not the same thing - correct? The side bearing is in the differential housing, if I'm not mistaken. The shop said the whole procedure would require disassembly of the diff and axle - in order to reach this bearing. I'm going to assume they meant, side bearing.

Correct me if I'm wrong. i'm obviously ignorant here

 

Bearings internal to the diff should be addressed and not left to self-destruct. But get some clarification on what they said the issue was...

 

Does it have a good radio?

 

2-piece driveshafts have a carrier bearing that supports the shaft mid-way(ish)

BUT your ring gear bolts to a differential carrier which is 100% different and internal.

 

I talked to the shop owner and the noise is from the side bearings inside of the diff. I am having them replaced. At the same time, I'm going to have him swap the e-locking actuator with a new one. The factory installed elocking actuator has only worked 1time in the year that I've owned it.

 

Yep, those are your differential carrier bearings

 

The welding of the diff cover is 99% likely the cause of the bearing failure. Internal coating peel is not as likely as having a bearing to race arc out. Once rolling the bearing(s) broke loose and then had an imperfection(s) which isn’t good. Seen it a few times in industrial equipment quick field repairs.