Hello All,

My new friend, Brennan bought my 93 wagon with about 180K and decided to get married on August 7th and take the car and his new wife on a journey cross country for his honeymoon. He's had to replace the alternator somewhere in the midwest and the overdrive got funky around St. Paul.

Today he called to tell me that he's at an Indy south of San Francisco who's found the cause of the pinging/clanging sound which just started today. Coming from the rear it turned out to be a cracked u-joint - the one closest to the differential. He's leaving the car overnight and the shop will replace the u-joint tomorrow after he gets a replacement u-joint.

However, in the course of the mechanic's investigations, he indicated that there is noise that is coming from the rear wheel bearings. When asked to describe the noise, he said you'd have to hear it for yourself, cause it's difficult to describe over the telephone. He wants to replace both rear wheel bearings. I told Brennan that from my review of the BB since 2004, it would seem that the need to replace both let alone one is somewhat rare - especially on a 93. Although, this mechanic said that the bearings needed replacing, he also indicated it "wasn't an emergency".

Can anyone with more experience offer Brennan some advice. My knowledge in this area is very minimal.

Thanks much,

Marty Wolfson