When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I heard a noise making a left turn. Seemed to be coming from the rear. Seemed like the rear drum shoes were rubbing on the drum. Now that I have the truck jacked up I see that the drum shoes are only about half worn, but that each wheel cylinder is leaking. So I will replace the shoes and the cylinders. But here is my concern:
When I turn the axle, I can feel a rumble, like the spider gears are rumbling (I know it cannot be the pinion gear on the ring gear that is rumbling because the ring gear does not move when I turn the axles.
Is this rumbling as the axle turns normal? Is it a sign of problems to come which can be addressed now? Are the wheel bearings going out?
The wheel bearings seem ok in that there is little to no up and down or left and right slop.
I can pull the driver's side axle in and out about 3mm and the passenger side about 1-2mm..
Should I be concerned? What should I further investigate?
Here are the numbers from my differential tag:
S838J
3 55 88 5F23
CAPTCHA Question: When I turn the driver's side axle counterclockwise (facing axle), which way does the passenger side axle turn (facing axle)?
Offhand, and I haven't checked your axle code, it sounds to me like you've got a factory limited slip (Trac-Loc) and either it's wearing out, or somebody didn't add the friction modifier to the gear oil. My 89 F250 did that when turning, when I got it, after adding the friction modifier and driving it a couple hundred miles, it stopped making the noise.
Is this rumbling as the axle turns normal? Is it a sign of problems to come which can be addressed now? Are the wheel bearings going out?
The wheel bearings seem ok in that there is little to no up and down or left and right slop.
I can pull the driver's side axle in and out about 3mm and the passenger side about 1-2mm..
Should I be concerned? What should I further investigate?
Here are the numbers from my differential tag:
S838J
3 55 88 5F23
CAPTCHA Question: When I turn the driver's side axle counterclockwise (facing axle), which way does the passenger side axle turn (facing axle)?
The bearings are lubricated by gear oil. Is the differential full up to the fill plug? It was probably hard to tell since the brakes are bad but did it make a noise turn one way but not the other?
In and out play in the axle is normal.
I don’t know which way the passenger axle turns on your truck. It should turn the opposite direction based on the tag.
Originally Posted by SFaulken
Offhand, and I haven't checked your axle code, it sounds to me like you've got a factory limited slip (Trac-Loc)....
Only if the “L” was omitted in the post. Factory limited slip would read 3 L 55.
"Axle Shaft Endplay
Axle shaft endplay is allowable up to 0.762mm (0.03 inch), but can be as low as 0.127mm (0.005 inch). It is controlled by the C-washer that holds the axle shaft in the pocket of the side gear. To reduce clearance, replace the differential gears, Traction-Lok clutch plates if equipped, thrust washers or axle shafts as required."
Lubricant capacities
Bronco 5.50 U.S Pints determined by 1/4" to 9/16" below bottom of fill hole with vehicle level.
I would like to tighten up the axle endplay at least on the driver's side, but will button it for up now?
@Conanski Cover is off, I rotated the axles by hand and don't see any unusual wear or source of the rumbling on the spider gears or axle gears. I will go back down now and further inspect.
There are 2 bearings on each side, one at the outer end of the axle and a second on each side of the diff carrier.
2-3mm of in-out play is normal for an axle with lots of miles on it and doesn't in itself indicate a problem.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
