Rear Differential Whine

[Rapidtransit]

My car is a 2001 LS V8. I've recently started to get the typical rear end whinning noises. I have within the last 2 months replaced the rear hub bearings. Now this new rear noise started. To locate the source, I just jacked the car to get the rear wheels off the ground while the front wheels were chocked. I lowered the car onto jack stands that I positioned underneath the lower suspension arms to bring the driveshafts nearly horizontal to relieve the CV stress. With the wheel spinning you could hear a distinct whining from the rear end. You could hear the noise coming from the left side carrier bearing.
My question is:
1. Can the carrier be removed with the rear end in the car or does the rear end need to be removed?

 

[97stscaddy]

From what I have seen from under my car it looks to me like it would be easier to just remove the whole unit, then you can work on it on a bench, in your shop/garage, with plenty of room.

But I'd suggest checking the condition of the fluid first.

 

[Rapidtransit]

Ttt

For anyone who has replaced the ring and pinion and bearings on this LS rear differential, did you use the Rotunda tools or did you initially set the gears up using the original pinion spacer and carrier shims and go from there?
I don't trust the dealer and I don't know of anyone who specializes in this rear end.

 

[97stscaddy]

I think the most work any one on this board has done with the LS rear end was an 8.8 carrier swap. I wanna say it was ILLS that did it. And I don't think he had any issues re-using the old shims.