Ok I have a 2002 Chevy 1500hd with the 14 bolt/ 9.5. I was hearing a whistle noise coming from the back end of my truck. I jacked it up and noticed a loose passenger side wheel bearing. I replaced both wheel bearings. Wasn’t to bad to do. Axles are nice and tight with no slop now. But....... I still here the noise. I’m gonna take off the drive shaft and check the pinion bearing for play. Note: it’s a constant sound after 15-20mph. Braking or acceleration doesn’t affect it. From what I read. If I just replace the bearings I do not have to reshim? Also, if I were to replace the pinion bearings, would you recommend replacing the carrier bearings as well. Truck has 135k. I put a 6” lift on 2 years ago with 33”s. I did add the carrier bearing drop for the drive shaft and i installed a new one also. I just replaced the gear oil and new diff cover about 1,000 miles before doing wheel bearings. My pinion seal doesn’t look the greatest but it’s not leaking. There’s not a lot of shops near me that do this type of work and I’m not afraid of doing it as long I have correct info. I did get a quote for a shop bc my time has become less to work on my stuff. The shop wanted 7-8 hours at $120hr. I had my axles bearings out in a 45 mins. What the hell is the rest of the time for? I’m trying to find some other shops but they are in different counties. Hard to find good places.

let me know what you guys think. Any info is appreciated.

 

Jack up the truck and put jack stands under the axle so that the truck's weight is on the axle. Run it up past 15-20 mph. If you hear the noise, have someone else control the gas while you are outside trying to hear it.
It would be a shame to tear the rear end apart on a guess.

 

Show us the pics you took of the place on the axles where the bearings ride.

Don't forget, the axle IS the inner bearing race. You can change the axle bearings every day, and twice on Sundays just for good measure, but if the axles themselves are effffed, it will NEVER EVER shut up.