Hi guys,
I don't normally post over here but I've got an Escape to work on and was wondering if there was any insight avail.

I have a 2005 Escape 3.0 that is going to need the rear diff replaced eventually. I'm aware that its a whole unit and can't be serviced. I would rather just set up a new rear myself but apparently not an option. I was wondering if anyone here has taken one out? Some pics or a link would be nice to read up on before I start.
Thanks

 

I recently replaced both rear wheel bearings in my 05. The book wanted me to use a press but I chose to remove them in place with an improvised puller instead. In order to get the axle shaft out, I had to loosen up the front connections of what I would call the trailing arms. Doing that and disconnecting the lower ball joint and tie rod end allowed me to move the housing up and out enough to allow the axle shaft to maneuver out of its splines. Those connections on the front of that cast iron trailing arm are alignment points so make sure to mark them well before you loosen anything. I also had to completely dismantle the rear brakes, including the parking brake as the brake plate was in the way of my puller. Before I was finished, I had both rear coil springs out and on the floor. I was unable to get the anti lock brake sensors to come completely out so I just disconnected the harness and left them in place. From there, after disconnecting the drive shaft, I believe that the rear differential could be easily unbolted and removed. What are your symptoms? I had a terrible loud bad bearing growling noise at low speeds that ended up being the center support bearing. (my wheel bearings were shot too so the job wasn't for nothing) Ford won't sell you a support bearing, they want to sell you an entire drive shaft instead. I got one a Car Quest with a lifetime warranty for a little under $100.00.

 

It's not mine actually it's one I found for my wife's cousin last week. While test driving it I picked up on a little whine that most people probably never would have heard. I noticed its only on the while accelerating and goes away while coasting. While sitting in the vac seat I could hear it more from the driver side. I really doubt its a wheel bearing and most likely the driver side carrier bearing. The rear itself is puking a little oil out the breather but no seals or cracks I the case yet.
It's a shame the escape is really nice and a fully loaded Limited. The business that we're buying it from took it to the shop who services their trucks to see if I was right and they said the same thing. So they knocked $2k off to see it get fixed. So we got a near perfect 1 owner escape fully loaded for 4k.

 

It shouldn't be a real hard job, pretty straight forward. It took about five hours for what I did, but there were two of us working at it and we did it in a shop with a vehicle lift. You got a good deal on the Escape, now to find a rear differential. Ford would probably want so much for a new one that you would have been better off to let the deal pass but there should be tons of used ones at junk yards and on the Internet.

 

I've done some looking and there are tons of these rears around with low mi. It seems to be the going rate is around $300-400. With 3k miles to 130k miles. I'm not scared of a little work that's for sure.

We thought about passing on this one but it was just too nice. I've probably looked at 20 or so escapes and about 5-6 Durangos for this girl. I'm pretty picky and hardly anything ever suits me used except the one that she bought. I just hope its good to her.