OK guys... My plan for now is as follows.
- The noises that I have are of two distinct kinds, a whining noise that appears when I ease the gas pedal, and grinding noise that I hear at low speeds.
- I received the adjuster lock tab replacement from the dealer.
- I will take off the diff cover again, and will try to adjust the adjuster lock to reduce backlash to spec, using a dial indicator to measure backlash. I hope (and would like you to confirm) that I can do it using a screwdriver through the access hole.
- If I cannot get a screwdriver through the hole, I could pull the axle, and make a tool that goes through the axle hole and turns the adjuster. I would make it out of some materials, I have a welder. What I will need to know is dimensions of the tool (ie where to place the pins etc).
- After I do that, I will drive around to verify that the whining noise is gone. If not, I will take the truck to a dealer. I realize that the grinding noise at low speeds may remain, could be due to trashed bearings.
- If the whining noise is gone, I will take the diff apart and replace the bearings that may have caused the grinding noise. I am not, yet, sure whether it is easy or not to put it back together correctly.
Does this plan make sense?
i