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Old Aug 17, 2017 | 03:32 PM
  #1  
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From: coconut creek florida
Rear differential ID

Hello everyone, I am not the original owner of this 2004 F250 SD 4x4 and trying to find some answers to why my rear right wheel is the only rear wheel turning the in sand. I thought I had an open diff but did the research and my door axel code is 3L
My rear diff cover tag is V457A
L73 10 5 4K25

I also did the vin search As suggested on this forum and it shows I have a limited slip diff. I am thinking the clutches are defective and it is operating as an open diff. I also tried to look up the specific diff but it wasn't listed in my vin search. It was suggested it is DANA 60. I'm just trying to put things together before I give it up to a repairman. Thanks for your help. Mike
 
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Old Aug 17, 2017 | 07:09 PM
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eberlestock
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Your clutches are probably worn out. My latest duty on has 50,000 miles on it and the clutches are toast. If you check your diff oil and its black, that's clutch material in the oil.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2017 | 09:57 PM
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If yours is a single rear wheel you have the sterling 10.25/10.5" rear axle, the duallys got a Dana 80. Sounds like the clutches are gone, very common.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by eberlestock
Your clutches are probably worn out. My latest duty on has 50,000 miles on it and the clutches are toast. If you check your diff oil and its black, that's clutch material in the oil.
Thanks, is there a repair kit package beside the clutches that is suggested for repair since it's a 2004 and no service records. Suggestions? Part numbers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by jetjockey99
If yours is a single rear wheel you have the sterling 10.25/10.5" rear axle, the duallys got a Dana 80. Sounds like the clutches are gone, very common.
'99 & later got the 10.5" axle. '98 and earlier (back to '85 or so) got the 10.25". Some '99 & up duallies also got the 10.5" axle, though I've seen Dana axles under them as well. I never figured out which packages/configurations got which axle though.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 07:51 PM
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Are you sure you truck is an 04 not an 05 3L isn't a code for 04 3.73 limited slip in a 99-04 f-250 the axle code was C1 and was changed to 3L in 05 for 3.73 limited slip trucks but either way like the guys above said clutches are probably toast.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 08:20 PM
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From: prince george, bc canada
Ford sells a clutch pack kit that comes complete with friction modifier. I paid right around $275 Canadian for this kit
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike189677
Are you sure you truck is an 04 not an 05 3L isn't a code for 04 3.73 limited slip in a 99-04 f-250 the axle code was C1 and was changed to 3L in 05 for 3.73 limited slip trucks but either way like the guys above said clutches are probably toast.
Axle tag codes and door sticker codes are not the same. 3L is a valid door sticker code for s 3.73LS differential.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 09:28 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by redford
Axle tag codes and door sticker codes are not the same. 3L is a valid door sticker code for s 3.73LS differential.
Yea it is I never said it wasn't the op said his truck is an 04 and his door sticker says 3L in that case 3L is not a valid door sticker code for any 1999-2004 model year f250 the code is C1 for 3.73 limited slip. Now if the truck was manufactured in 04 but is an 05 model year then 3L would be correct since it's an 05 but op said his truck is an 04 and I can't see the door sticker I gotta believe that he knows what year his truck is I did leave out the fact that I was referring to door sticker axle codes but since the op said his door sticker said 3L and that's the code I was talking about I didn't think I needed to clarify.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2017 | 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike189677
Are you sure you truck is an 04 not an 05 3L isn't a code for 04 3.73 limited slip in a 99-04 f-250 the axle code was C1 and was changed to 3L in 05 for 3.73 limited slip trucks but either way like the guys above said clutches are probably toast.
Please learn to use punctuation. Education matters.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2017 | 12:23 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by andym
'99 & later got the 10.5" axle. '98 and earlier (back to '85 or so) got the 10.25". Some '99 & up duallies also got the 10.5" axle, though I've seen Dana axles under them as well. I never figured out which packages/configurations got which axle though.
Originally Posted by andym
Please learn to use punctuation. Education matters.
I'll take that into consideration Maybe while I'm taking a remedial course on sentence structure you can find me a factory dually with a 10.5" rear end
Seriously you don't have anything better to do than worry about my lack of punctuation
*punctuation omitted for Andy
 
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Old Aug 23, 2017 | 08:20 AM
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I'm sorry, that was pretty dickish of me.

I've personally seen Sterling 10.5" dually axles under F-350s so I know for a fact they exist.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2017 | 05:40 PM
  #13  
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From: coconut creek florida
Originally Posted by Mike189677
Are you sure you truck is an 04 not an 05 3L isn't a code for 04 3.73 limited slip in a 99-04 f-250 the axle code was C1 and was changed to 3L in 05 for 3.73 limited slip trucks but either way like the guys above said clutches are probably toast.
Mike, you are absolutely right. My regi is 2005. I was mistakingly using the build date of 1/11/2004 from my Ford Vin Search. I will use my model year for all future searches. My door date is 10/04 ( what does that mean? ) axel code is 3L
And Diff tag is Top. V 457 A
Bot L73 10 5 4K25
There is a bolt hole just before the L and was told a 3 should be before it. That would make it match the door code. Does this all make sense to the pros here?
Thank you very much , your help is much appreciated.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2017 | 06:30 PM
  #14  
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This is the axle tag from my 99 F250 SD 2WD.

What does this tell me?
I want to change diff oil and need to get a cover gasket.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2017 | 12:58 AM
  #15  
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Mike189677
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Originally Posted by Mike Mike
Mike, you are absolutely right. My regi is 2005. I was mistakingly using the build date of 1/11/2004 from my Ford Vin Search. I will use my model year for all future searches. My door date is 10/04 ( what does that mean? ) axel code is 3L
And Diff tag is Top. V 457 A
Bot L73 10 5 4K25
There is a bolt hole just before the L and was told a 3 should be before it. That would make it match the door code. Does this all make sense to the pros here?
Thank you very much , your help is much appreciated.
The 10/04 is the month and year build date of your truck so it was built in October of 2004, which would make it an 05. For example my truck was built in 08/03 but is a 2004 model year. So now all your info makes since and corresponds to the tag on your axle

Originally Posted by ligito
This is the axle tag from my 99 F250 SD 2WD.

What does this tell me?
I want to change diff oil and need to get a cover gasket.
It looks like you have a 3.73 limited slip rear end from your axle tag in the picture. If The code on your door sticker under axle is C1 that would confirm 3.73 limited slip. You would need 75w140 synthetic oil most of it already has the limited slip additive in it, except for the motorcraft is the only one I've found that doesn't have it but I haven't looked too hard either. If you just use the oil off the shelf with the additive in it just be alert for any chatter from the rear end afterwards if it happens you can add some more friction modifier to it. I would just get some rtv and make your own gasket I've never bought a new gasket anytime I've ever had to reseal a diff. I'm sure they are readly avaible though at the parts store if that's the way you want to go.
 
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