My Dana 60 rear is rumbling pretty good when I brake with the engine. No noise on acceleration and nothing obvious on cornering. I am guessing a carrier side bearing is pitted. Pinion bearings tend to whine rather than rumble in my experience. I found out the pinion threads are galled when I replaced the pinion seal a couple years ago so if the pinion bearing is bad, I will need a new ring and pinion.

I am wondering if I should press off the axle bearings for inspection. They feel pretty smooth but I can't see enough of the rollers to see if they are bad. I would hate to damage good axle bearings. Press them off or go straight to the carrier?