Diagnosing Knackered Diff Bearings

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Got a bit of an issue on the 306. There is a really bad vibration/resonating coming through the car, the level changing with road surface. I've got my finger pointing at the either the wheel bearings or the diff bearings. Been out and checked the 12 & 6/3 & 9 o clock position on both front wheels and there is no play. There is a tiny bit play when you turn the wheels though. . They were new bearings but of poor quality. You get what you pay for I suppose. I dabble with bearings everyday at work, and should've known better But apart from a slight noise, which I think is coming from the CV joints (up in air) I can't hear a similar noise/vibration when spinning the wheels fast.

 

I did have a knocking noise from the drivers side shaft, and that's been changed/sorted.

 

Can anyone tell me how to diagnose knackered diff bearings?

 

I was meant to drive to Kent this weekend to collect bits from BlueBolt, and get to Gatwick next week for a holiday. Don't feel comfortable tackling those journeys in it right now, not with that vibration coming through.

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Decided to jack the car up on axle stands and run in 1st/2nd/3rd whilst underneath listening. Gearbox is clunking away a good'un, and when I turn the wheels the idle goes up and down. No vibration though. Don't know, maybe it needs to be loaded to get the vibration but the clunking didn't sound too healthy.

 

I've a '96 Saxo 1.1i sitting here with a quiet box, going to scrap (rusty rear inner arches). Will that fit a '98 306?