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I did front brakes about 2 months ago. A couple weeks ago I started hearing a howl like a wheel bearing but thought it only happened under load. I was going to look into this weekend but now it sounds like a locomotive going down tracks. Howl is very load now. All happened within 45 miles.
I stopped to get gas and smell differential fluid. I look underneath and see the houaing smoking and fluid slung all around. I grab the driveshaft and see the pinion move. So I now know it was a pinion bearing and not a wheel bearing.
So what do you think my chances are that it only needs bearing and the gears are still good?
I did front brakes about 2 months ago. A couple weeks ago I started hearing a howl like a wheel bearing but thought it only happened under load. I was going to look into this weekend but now it sounds like a locomotive going down tracks. Howl is very load now. All happened within 45 miles.
I stopped to get gas and smell differential fluid. I look underneath and see the housing smoking and fluid slung all around. I grab the driveshaft and see the pinion move. So I now know it was a pinion bearing and not a wheel bearing.
So what do you think my chances are that it only needs bearing and the gears are still good?
You'll know when ya pull out the gear carrier to take a look! It's easy enough.. only takes like 30 minutes at a leisurely pace - alone.
Bet on replacing the R&P.. that way it won't be a surprise!
I figured I would have too. I really don't feel like it. I planned on doing a posi soon. Rather do r & p then. I'm taking it out today and hoping the best and expecting the worse.
This exact thing just happened to my wife's cousin (Erin). Brace yourself. You probably just toasted your rear end. The howling is from the r&p running with little to no oil. This also burned up the seals which is why you see the diff fluid everywhere. In Erin's case, the r&p got so hot they blued. Which means the metal became very brittle and was no longer safe to drive. I have witnessed the damage first hand in the highway once. Going 70, SUV in front of me, rear end locked up and slid off the road. I could hear the howling from 50 feet back then all of a sudden loud tire screeching and smoke. I knew exactly what happened. Luckily there was no accident but a very frightened driver. Lucky for you, Ford 9s are very inexpensive in stock form (around $150 on CL).
I got the center section out. Broke 2 teeth on the ring gear. Blued the pinion. The pinion support bearing came out of the center section. Carrier bearings are tight and blued. I figured for the worst and hoped for the best. Would be liked to have just done new bearings but since I got everything apart I'm going with a posi unit I think. I don't go off roaring but I've been in parking lots and a muddy parking lot that that I had to put it in 4x4 because only 1 wheel in the back got traction. Didn't really feel like doing any of this but it was something on my list to do so I guess it's all good just bad timing.
Seeing this. I'm surprised I made it home. Started humming shortly into my way to work. And I made it home. 95 miles round trip. Could have ended badly.
Nope. The housing is shot. The pinion support bearing broke. I found a guy on a Facebook selling site that has alot of 9" center sections. He has one already rebuilt with 4.11 gears and a posi. He wants $350. I'm probably going that route.
Wow, thats a good price IMO, especially if its ready to go. I pulled my 9inch axle apart and found that same bearing nearly destroyed. Lots of play and movement, I was just lucky I pulled it when I did.
Can you share his contact info?
