E30 Bearing roar in the back.

[CORNELIUS BIEZENBOS <Cornelius.C.Biezenbos@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

     Listers,
     
     There is an obvious bearing roar in the back of my 325iX.  I took a 
     mechanic of some local repute for a test ride and he said "carrier 
     bearing in the differential" and proceeded to tell me that bearing 
     replacement is a waste of time.  He said to replace the diff (to the 
     tune of a cool 1000.00) and move on.  
     
     My questions: Can you tell just riding in the car?  Isn't a wheel 
     bearing problem more likley?  If it is the carrier bearing, is the 
     answer to R&R the diff?  Are wheel bearings a problem with the iX's?
     
     I have had good luck with the digest in the past.  Thanks for your 
     time...
     
     Case Biezenbos
     NASA Michoud Assembley Facility

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