[FASTFATBOY]

Since the 3000 mile whipping the car got on the Power Tour and the optima Faceoff the rear end sounds like a cement mixer.

What is my best option?

I haven't torn into the rear end to inspect but will next week.

With the miles I am afraid the axles are shot, I don't think its a good idea to use "axle saver" bearings as they move the bearings inboard and stress the axle face more.

Rebuild bearing/seal kits are around $200.

The gears with those miles should be ok, would you change them?

Thanks in advance.

[trackbird]

If the welds on the axle tubes look ok (no cracks, etc), I'd upgrade axles, bearings, seals and just rebuild the whole thing. You'll wind up with a freshened rear end full of good parts (which you'd probably do to a lower mileage rear anyway).