wheel bearing noise...? or driveshaft u-joints not in phase...?

Recently, I swapped out my entire rear axle, hub to hub due to my previous one having been rusted. Afterwards, I've been getting a dry-sounding noise that's consistent with a revolution, mainly in the 40mph-60mph neighborhood when letting off the gas. It feels like it's coming from the driveline and you can feel it in the floorboard, which led me to believe that the u-joints aren't 100% aligned on the driveshaft. However, a mechanic buddy says it's likely a wheel bearing.

Planning on removing the hub/axles from the housings to check for play, as it doesn't look impossible (ebrake/brake line/4 bolts). However, at that point, you're only a few steps away from replacing the bearing/axle seals (I'd likely bring the hubs to a shop to separate/press the bearings)...

On the other hand, I could try to mess with the driveshaft positioning, but if it's not the issue I'd only do more damage.

Has anyone experienced a wheel bearing causing vibrations to your floor board?

On a side note, I don't think it's causing the issue, but the gear oil is in real bad shape (very gray/grudgey/muddy), which of course I plan on replacing.

 

You might try taking off each driveshaft 1 at a time and seeing if you can eliminate either the noise or which end it may or may not becoming from.

If nothing changes, you can dig deeper.

After finding 1 dry cup on 1 u-joint for my rear DS, it's easy to believe mine or your front could have the same.

I've been chasing a hum forever it feels like now. Just too lazy to want it fixed that bad. If it were my only vehicle....I'd have to. It's that irritating.

I thought first it was a wheel bearing so changed those. Nothing. Took off rear DS...replaced 2 u-joints....nothing.

Either a front u-joint or the needle bearing....or worse.

But that's me, with out hearing yours I can't compare, only can say I hear it in some other first gens. I've ridden in. hum, slight vibe, mild whoop-whoop. laughs. Kind of hard to describe, just isn't right.