Rear Axle Issue
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Stanley, VA
[quote=jeff92118;13425840] I undid the nuts, and noticed one bolt was a little looser than the others. Well, when I took off the nut, I bumped that bolt and it fell into the rear diff.[quote]
You have a Ford 9" rear but I'm a little confused. You said that when you took the nut off, you bumped the "bolt" and it fell into the diff housing. The confusing part is those aren't bolts, they're studs and they should thread into the diff housing. There should be no way the stud can "fall" into the housing.
But if you do have to open up the rear, you'll have to drop the center section. It's necessary to jack it up, remove both brake drums, unbolt the four nuts that fasten the axle retainer. These are accessed through a hole that's in the axle flange. Pull both axles. Once that's done you can drop the center section.
It's not really hard or complicated once you've done it one time but I definitely wouldn't do it on a busy street.
You have a Ford 9" rear but I'm a little confused. You said that when you took the nut off, you bumped the "bolt" and it fell into the diff housing. The confusing part is those aren't bolts, they're studs and they should thread into the diff housing. There should be no way the stud can "fall" into the housing.
But if you do have to open up the rear, you'll have to drop the center section. It's necessary to jack it up, remove both brake drums, unbolt the four nuts that fasten the axle retainer. These are accessed through a hole that's in the axle flange. Pull both axles. Once that's done you can drop the center section.
It's not really hard or complicated once you've done it one time but I definitely wouldn't do it on a busy street.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2013
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Yeah, I used the wrong term. It was a stud that dropped in to the differential. Possibly stripped?
Quick question: does the piece on the U joint side drop or does the axle drop? When I pull the axle, does it go back in a special way? Will I be able to tell the right way from the wrong way?
I know these are very basic questions but this rear axle stuff is new to me. All I wanted to do was replace that gasket to fix a little leak!
Quick question: does the piece on the U joint side drop or does the axle drop? When I pull the axle, does it go back in a special way? Will I be able to tell the right way from the wrong way?
I know these are very basic questions but this rear axle stuff is new to me. All I wanted to do was replace that gasket to fix a little leak!
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
Look at the pictures. In the first one you can see the hole in the axle flange that allows access to the retaining bolts that hold the axle in, you can see the retaining bolts in the second picture.
Once both axles are out the center section can be removed. In the third picture, the redish brown part is the center section, this whole piece comes out, the axle housing itself stays in place.
Once both axles are out the center section can be removed. In the third picture, the redish brown part is the center section, this whole piece comes out, the axle housing itself stays in place.
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I've been obsessing over this all day.........can I remove the driveshaft then remove the center cover? I only want to swap out the gasket. Or when I pull the center cover, will I have a big pile of gears and shims and whatnot laying on the ground under the rear?
If I do it this way, I can replace the U-joint while I'm in the neighborhood back there.
If I do it this way, I can replace the U-joint while I'm in the neighborhood back there.
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I have the Haynes, Chilton, & Clymer books......I'll check them too but can I get to that gasket by doing it this way? I'm a little scared about what I might find if I start pulling apart the axle!
(I was calling that brown piece in a previous pic the center cover)
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Don't be scared. You can buy another rear end from the junkyard for around 1-200 bucks.
Why I mention this is judging from your pictures and how you lost that stud you might just want to consider replacing the whole rear end.
If things do go sideways a full replacement isn't that big of deal.
Why I mention this is judging from your pictures and how you lost that stud you might just want to consider replacing the whole rear end.
If things do go sideways a full replacement isn't that big of deal.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Saskatchewan
I've been obsessing over this all day.........can I remove the driveshaft then remove the center cover? I only want to swap out the gasket. Or when I pull the center cover, will I have a big pile of gears and shims and whatnot laying on the ground under the rear?
If I do it this way, I can replace the U-joint while I'm in the neighborhood back there.
If I do it this way, I can replace the U-joint while I'm in the neighborhood back there.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
That part is known by several names, some correct, some slang. It's often called: center section, differential, carrier, chunk, third member, pumpkin, drop out, etc.
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Freshman User
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Don't be scared. You can buy another rear end from the junkyard for around 1-200 bucks.
Why I mention this is judging from your pictures and how you lost that stud you might just want to consider replacing the whole rear end.
If things do go sideways a full replacement isn't that big of deal.
Why I mention this is judging from your pictures and how you lost that stud you might just want to consider replacing the whole rear end.
If things do go sideways a full replacement isn't that big of deal.
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Freshman User
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Good to know. And good to be able to see it in those cutaways. Thank you.
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