i'll go fix it now.

could the bearing have gone bad in 3000 miles?

 

The only way to really check bearing play and preload is by removing the carrier. Which if he only replaced a seal, doesn't mean squat. lol.

 

GFD!!!! ok... well, we'll see what happens. i don't have time this weekend to tear into it farther.

 

I had a side job this weekend, so I didn't open mine. Kind of want to find a new one first, because I don't feel like filling this one back up again if it's just going to die.

 

Did he do it the right way...i.e., remove carrier and use new crush sleeve and retorque pinion bearing....or did he do it the half assed was of just running the old pinion nut back on by "feel"?

It's REAL easy to over or unertighten that pinion nut resulting in bad bearings. Mine fried after less than 50 miles after I half assed the pinion seal the first time.

 

This mechanic does amazing work. I doubt he half-assed it. he might have, but I have my extreme doubts.