I've taken my Firebird out a few times since the rear axle change and I am trying to get use to the difference in the gear ratio. The 3.36 posi made a big change in the gearing compared to the open 2.73's. It pulls out much better now.

I thought I would ask a few questions. The new gearing seems to be a slight rougher feel. I don't know if that description is a really correct, sort of hard to explain but it just seems you can tell the gearing is different as you go down the road at 45. I don't know if it is the difference in a posi compared to open carrier or the gearing. Maybe because I'm running at 500 more rpms. There is no shake, wobble or major vibration really, just more auditable sound vibrations then I got before that seems to originate from the rear. But as I feel this rougher noticeable feeling I start wondering about the bearings and other components.

The one piece sealed axle bearings seemed ok when I checked them. They felt smooth and no noticeable issues but I was wondering what signs would I be noticing if a axle bearing was bad? If a axle bearing does go bad, what happens? The axle is bolted in so the axle will not fly apart will it?

What exactly should I look for in a bad axle bearing?