Hi, the rear axle on my F150 with 215k miles is making a winning / roaring noise until you reach about 70 mph then is goes away, it's also leaking oil around the pinion seal and I've just noticed that now it's leaking oil on the passenger side axle seal. Seems like to me that the rear-end is shot. My question is what does it take to rebuild these rear axles, the truck has a 5.4, so I think the axle is the 9.75 but have not looked at the tag yet. I did some poking around online and looks like there are axles for sale on ebay etc. Wondering if it makes sense to just purchase another axle and install or have it rebuilt. I don't want to pay 2500 to have it rebuilt.

thanks

 

With the leaks you found, have you at least checked the fluid level in the differential to see how low it might be. You might just have to add fluid to quiet everything down.

The axle seals aren't hard to do yourself if you are somewhat handy. Just make sure you have enough room to pull the axles out without hitting a wall or something if you do it inside a garage or near something.

 

Not a whole lot to rebuilding them, pretty much just bearings and seals, i always put new ring & pinion and spiders in whenever i rebuild one and new clutches if its a limited slip. the hard part is having the right tools and knowing how to properly set pinion depth, preload and gear lash. almost 100% sure you have a 9.75 if you have the 5.4.

 

thanks for the respones, and good point on the garage. I will get under it soon and take a closer look. Also may be spot on regarding the oil level, I suspect it's low.

It's been a great truck, runs as good today as it did the day I bought it. 215k and still cooking.

I'm a ford guy, I also have a 2005 F250, and a 1955 F100 - 3 trucks almost too much, but can't get rid of any of them. LOL

thanks a lot.

 

noise might be related, or it might be the emergency brake shoe fell off inside the drum and dont have anything to do with the oil level. Look around a little and check things out-- brakes and oil level, and bearing wiggle.

 

Check for a plugged diff vent as well.