98 Astro rear end problem

I've looked around this forum but havent seen this issue. 98 Astro with just under 70K. Took it in to the dealer at about 52K with an issue that a mechanic brought up about the rear end was leaking and that Astro's have known issues with the rear end's going out. The dealer just changed a gasket which made the leak go away and quieted the faint noise that could be heard.
Over about the last 2k miles I have had 2 mechanics check the Astro out and both have told me about the same issue without me saying anything. I just took them out for a spin and within a minute or 2 of driving they said your rear end is going out. 1 Mechanic I realy trust his opinion.
This is what I hear. Sounds like a 4x4 with the big oversized tires at about 15mph. At about 50mph it still sounds like that but with a noticable whine. I had my wife drive it on the freeway and I trailed behind it and it is deffenitely coming from the back.
The mechanic I trust told me to take it to the dealer and try to force them into doing warranty work since I had brought the issue before the warranty was originally up. He said otherwise it would probably cost somewhere aroud $2K to fix it with a used rear end.
If anyone can give me any opinions before I take it in would be great.

Thanks,
Matt

Most Astro/Safaris use a standard GM 10 bolt rear end. The lack of fluid may have damaged your gears, and it is most likely going to fail. but the 10 bolt axle has been used in Light Trucks for years with generally no major probs (of course there are exeptions). I use mine for offroad, and they come factory on some full sized trucks, and cars (as well as a shorted version for S10/S15 Pickup - Blazer/Jimmy. I would bet that one of those "Mechanics" have one underneath their personal truck. My van is a 87 and I have never had the first leak. I only opened it twice, about 2 years ago (to flush it out, and change the oil, and last year (to install an Eaton Locker) and never had any probs (I lied, I opened it three times, put new bearings in it once). Mine is an 87, but to my knowledge GM is still using these rear ends in newer Astro/Safari Vans, The only difference being the spring pack and hangers. I feel that these "Mechanics" are wrong by saying that these axles are prone to trouble, and i'd watch my back around them. I have torn Ford (Dana) axles apart before, doing the same stuff that I put the GM axle through. I think that they are some tuff axles and I trust them. Just like anything else, if you keep an eye on the wear and tear, and do the proper maintanance, it will last a very long time. If an axle out of a 88 will fit, I got one in my shop i'll sell ya, cheap......Good luck

I'll probably take it to the dealer and get their opinion Thursday or Friday before I go thru with anything. I was just hoping I would find somone that had had this experience before.

Seems odd to me to have less than 70k miles and already having these types of issues with that. We do extreamly light dirving so not alot of bumping around and jaring the van around.

I had a similar issue with the 10-bolt in my '97 pickup. It was a whining sound that went on for a year before I took care of it last week. Mine ended up being bearings, which I believe led to the failure of the spider gears. If yours is the same problem, it will get expensive if you wait. I was fortunate enough to have a dealership mechanic do the work at home for $30 per hour. Parts=$505, if it's just the bearings, you'll want to replace them all, as well as the axle seals( parts=less than $200 ). If the spider bearings or ring-and-pinion require replacement then they cost around $300 each.