Rear end noise fixable?

[mbaze]

That's a misleading title, because obviously everything is fixable for a price. What I have is a 74 2002 with retrofitted 5-speed and something of a grinding noise coming from the rear end when the car is in gear. I threw the car up on jackstands today and ran the motor in gear. It appears the sound comes either from the differential itself or the area where the driveshaft connects with the differential. Are there bearings that typically wear in this area. Or could it be that whoever trimmed the driveshaft to fit the 5-speed did a lousy job and things are not fitted/aligned/balanced right?

Any thoughts and ideas welcome. Thanks much.

Cheers,

Michael

P.S. The previous owner said he drove the car like this for two years with no problems other than the noise, which is quite loud and annoying, actually.

[Schweineback]

Probably your diff. Replace it to be certain not to strand somewhere you din't intend to. 2nd open diff are cheap.

[skinnyd]

Also check the rear universal joint, if it's shot it'll have lots of play even while on the car, I just fixed this problem on my '72.