Hello,

I have to take my 99 F-150 XLT 2WD 4.6L I think its the 3.73 Limited Slip Diff (I know my wifes 04 is and I believe I bought the 99 in the same package) to get some work done on the differential tomorrow morning.

Here is why.....

I have taken great care of the Diff as I changed fluid three times in 80000 miles (it now has).

I had a leak in the front of the diff and had to have the front seal changed just over a year ago.

When the seal was changed I witnessed the guy have two other guys come over to look at it...... They made a change and then dropped the lift and test drove the truck. Something wasnt right and then he brought it back, lifted it, did something else to it and then said it was good.

11 months later, a slight noise could be heard but couldnt place where it was coming from exactly, pulled plug, fluid was good, and no metal.

A couple of months of light driving later, howl appears to now be coming from Diff. Had a guy drive it and listen to it and he said it is Pinion Bearings.

Dad said if crush ring is tightened too much, and not replaced, this would wear on pinion bearing and cause these problems. (Sounds like what happened).

Now this work out of warranty, looks like I am screwed for at least possible pinion bearings and axle seals, labor, and etc.

I cannot afford to have this work done right now without throwing it on the card, how can I prevent being taken for even more parts and labor at the dealer?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks,

Dave

 

well plan on about 1500.00 at the dealer

they will want to do this

6 hours labor
axle seals
axle bearings
rebuild kit
oil
ring and pinion
l/s unit rebuild


they will also try to sell you brake rotors,pads,ebrakes,hoses non of that is needed.

 

Just looked, I have the 3.08 non limited slip... Thought I had LS but it says that I dont...

 

Thanks,

Do I really need all of that? I heard they will likely try to sell me spider gears too eh? Yeah, they quoted me 900 if it only needs the bearings or something like that.

l/s unit rebuild, is that Limited Slip? In which case mine wouldnt need it...

Is there any hope that this will last if they do this stuff?

Thanks,

Dave

 

take 400.00 off if you don't have l/s spider gears are pretty cheap and are good to replace if you are doing ring and pinion. what dealer are you going to?

 

find a local shop to do it....when i had my mustang i had a new ring and pinion set put in for 200 bucks....i suplied parts but not bad for 200 bucks......it was good shop to not just some quack in the corner speed parts place

 

Try this link out for what it takes on a Diff setup

Shop labor should run a minimum of 5 hrs....8-10 is more realistic on a full rear end R&R. Shop labor in my neck of the woods is $70 or so an hour.

 

Gentlemen,

I know it is a few years too late, but for some reason I could not navigate back to this link then and found it now.. SIGH

Thanks so much to all of you for your feedback!

Much appreciated!

Dave