Hi Art,

Yes, I would at least run a hypo into it and try it again. I have a couple running in my cars that were removed and repacked. Once I cleaned them out, the bearings looked fine and ran smooth with new grease. The one in my 91 has seen 9 years since the service and still doing fine.

Swapping a rear axle is a big job. I remember when I blew mine coming home from work on a Friday and needed it for Monday morning. I'm trying to talk the OP off the cliff and make absolutely sure he needs it before jumping.

I should maybe have been clearer that if it was my car I'd pull the cover, but it would be only after I had eliminated every other possibility, and it would be the last thing I'd do before going looking for another axle.

You've mentioned stinky rear ends before, and though I can smell it, I don't find it offensive. I've pulled quite a few for painting because rust on them terrifies me. Your comment makes me wonder if maybe I've overreacted to people who've told me that I don't smell so good. They were probably just commenting on my poor sense of smell.

Peter