psfred, the dealer told me the bearings are a bit noisy but they are fine, they don't look bad, they don't leak and they rotate very nicely if you ask me, of course there is no play in them at all either.
Now that I worked out a way to replace the bearings I might do it some time in the future, but as just about everyone who "heard" the thump thump, and said to ride it out, for now I will, but it does not mean that I will stop looking for where that noise is coming from. I might have to use a different approach to fix this problem.
Right now I have to concentrate on tires and bushings since with worn out bushings no shop will do an alignment on my car. This should all be completed by the end of next week, the parts are sitting in my room, rear end only for now, front end seems alright but I have to take a closer look, I'll probably do that when I replace the transmission lines next week also.
Manny thanks so much for the nomination
but I have to hand it to you guys as well for all the suggestions up to this point. After all this problem originated in December 2002, it is now June 2003 and the car is still in one piece so I guess I'm doing something right
Oh yes and very driveable
I just don't race with it yet he he he
I'll keep you all posted as what turns out after the new tires and alignment, although I think I can guess already what the results will be he he he
xp