Anyone ever had a rear wheel bearing go out?

[Fred H.]

I think I may have a rear wheel bearing going out on my 02 WSA TA. I hear a constant "dragging" noise from the rear, in coast or on the gas, and it sounds an awful lot like a bearing going out to me.

Has anyone ever had to replace them, and just how big of a job is it?

[98formy]

Its sort of common for our rear ends. They are not that bad to do if you have the right tool, ie slide hammer to get the bearing out of the axle housing and a good magnet for the c clips to get the axles out.

[Fred H.]

I took the car in and had a mechanic listen to the rear end with a stethoscope on a lift, and the sound seems to be coming from the pinion gear bearing in the rear end. It makes a constant dull rubbing sound from the rear, and the aluminum drive shaft seems to act to amplify it. I guess I will have them tear into it and see what they find.