I don't recall seeing the housing used as a race in any of the astro/safaris I have worked on, no. Even mine had a bearing and race together as one unit to be installed into the housing.

The preferred lube is 75/90W for regular use with the vehicle.

The friction modifier is used with Limited Slip and Posi Traction rear ends, you have to check and see if you have it or not. Open rear ends don't require the modifier.

As for synthetics for the rear end, I would recommend it (personally speaking). I use "Royal Purple" in mine, it's a good product and was recommended to me by another old forum member. I have been using it for 3 or 4 years now and I'm pleased with it.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will reply if they can.

 

I don't recall seeing the housing used as a race in any of the astro/safaris I have worked on, no. Even mine had a bearing and race together as one unit to be installed into the housing.

The preferred lube is 75/90W for regular use with the vehicle.

The friction modifier is used with Limited Slip and Posi Traction rear ends, you have to check and see if you have it or not. Open rear ends don't require the modifier.

As for synthetics for the rear end, I would recommend it (personally speaking). I use "Royal Purple" in mine, it's a good product and was recommended to me by another old forum member. I have been using it for 3 or 4 years now and I'm pleased with it.

Hope this helps. I'm sure others will reply if they can.

:goodpost:

 

For your noise, check the fluid level first. Check the pinion bearing, and axle bearings for excessive play, although there could be noise without movement. Does the noise change if the van is steered left or right while driving? If it does, there could be a side bearing issue. When you pull the cover off, check for debris laying in the housing. Check the teeth on the ring gear for chips or pitting. Just a few things you could do.

As for synthetic fluid, I use GM 75-90 it my 95 AWD w/ 160k and my father's 97 RWD w/ 140k, both with G80 lockers. I also run limited slip additive in both. The diff on the 97, to my knowledge, has never had so much as a seal replaced. The 95 had axle seals done prior to me, and I replaced the pinion seal.

A tech I work with advises against using synthetic gear oil in any vehicle that calls for dino oil, saying it will cause the seals to leak. However, I have yet to see one issue of synthetic causing leaks.

 

I had a kind of growl in the rear-end of my Safari. It didn't change if you went left or right in a curve so I figured it was the pinion bearing and not a wheel bearing. The noise started almost as soon as you started to move. Me an a friend of mine (with a bearing press) tore it down over the weekend. The wheel bearings were fine and yes as Matrix stated they are as one unit installed into the housing. We took the center apart and and the pinion bearing was smooth. We started washing things off and found that it was a center differential carrier bearing that was bad. We installed all new bearings except the wheel bearings and put it back together.
Anyhow the gear in mine did show a little wear but nothing I would worry about. It all went together great and I have no more rear-end noise.

 

Your bearings look like this. They press fit into your axle housing and have a seal pressed into the axle housing to prevent your differential lube from leaking out. The roller bearings ride directly on your axle. You can get the repair bearing which moves the bering to a different spot on the axle in case your axle is worn also.