I will soon be going through my 1992 4x4 F-150's 8.8" differential, which has almost 220k on it.

There is some "clicking" coming from the rear end at lower speeds, just after the brakes are engaged and the pressure is let off of them.

I'm not an axle pro, but I'm betting on the bearings having slack in them or something along those lines. I had a 1985 F-250 with over 300k on it that did the same thing.

Anyway, I'm wanting to tear into it and put new wheel seals and bearings in. The rear cover is leaking a little, and it needs to be re-siliconed anyway. Might as well do the work while I've got the cover off. (No worries: The rear differential has plenty of fluid in it. I check it every other day or so.)

My Haynes manual says the use of a slide hammer should do the trick. Is that all that I'll need, besides the basic sockets, etc.?

The bearings aren't pressed onto the axles, are they?

I'm planning on doing this when I get off of work Friday afternoon, and all of the machine shops will be closed by then. I'm hoping that I can do it all myself, in my own garage.

BTW, I'm going to have two new axles on hand, just in case the bearings have ate a groove in the old ones. If I don't need them, I can always take them back.

Is this the case, or is there more to it than I think?

Thanks for any suggestions and advice!

Nightrain

 

I replaced the bearings in my '88 bronco a long time ago. It was not too difficult, and I believe I just used a slide hammer to get the old ones out.

 

Thanks for your input!

Nightrain