I'm fairly certain the differential bearings are responsible for the
whining in my '88 trans, since the noise occurs regardless of gear
position (or neutral) clutch in or out, but get louder upon
acceleration or deceleration.

Since we are currently only driving it 10k km per year, and the trans
still shifts well, I'm wondering whether it is worth it to just replace the
diff bearings, without going further into the trans. Even if the trans
only has another 40k, that's still 4 years. (it now has 190k on a VW
rebuild). Is a diff bearing job a possible DIY project, or does most of
the work still need special tools? In the Bentley it appears I can get it
out fairly easily, but dissassembly may be harder, and the bearings
will need pressing at a machine shop of course.

Am I crazy to consider this shortcut?

tia,
Shawn (desperately trying to save some money...)

Shawn Wright, I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School
swright@SLS.bc.ca
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
http://www.sls.bc.ca