Excessive play in Rear diff
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2024
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Excessive play in Rear diff
Hi, I am trying to do a repair on a rear diff in an 02 ford ranger. It clunks when I put it into reverse and after looking under the vehicle there is a lot of rotation in the driveshaft when putting the truck into reverse while holding the brake, so I figure its the rear diff that is the problem. I removed the rear diff cover and found there is a decent amount of play between the spider gear pin and diff carrier. So I am hoping I can just replace the spider gears and pin to get rid of the clunking and get rid of the lurching that the truck also did when driving. I have no experience with rear differentials so I just wanted to make sure I am on the right track to repairing this. I figured with a worn out pin the spider gears are probably worn out to, but what do I look for when inspecting the spider gears?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 383
From: WA
I'm no expert either but I wouldn't assume that the spider gears are worn.
Which pin are you talking about? The one with the 8mm head bolt holding it in place? Differential pinion shaft? Pasted a link to a diagram below.
If it was my project I might measure backlash first. That is the first place that has "play", where the pinion gear contacts the ring gear. And the pinion shafts do wear because the axle ends rub on them. Take it out and see how it looks.
Good luck. I'd go a little deeper on the diagnosis than "lot of rotation in the driveshaft when putting the truck into reverse while holding the brake".
https://differentials.com/wp-content...5/Ford-8.8.jpg
Which pin are you talking about? The one with the 8mm head bolt holding it in place? Differential pinion shaft? Pasted a link to a diagram below.
If it was my project I might measure backlash first. That is the first place that has "play", where the pinion gear contacts the ring gear. And the pinion shafts do wear because the axle ends rub on them. Take it out and see how it looks.
Good luck. I'd go a little deeper on the diagnosis than "lot of rotation in the driveshaft when putting the truck into reverse while holding the brake".
https://differentials.com/wp-content...5/Ford-8.8.jpg
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 383
From: WA
Is it yours? If it was mine I'd probably just put a new pin in and see how it does. The gears are probably harder than the pin and wouldn't have much wear. If it is still bad then go farther.
You can order them at Autozone so they must wear out a lot. Looks like there's two sizes for the Rangers.
https://www.autozone.com/powertrain/...tial-cross-pin
Not an expert, just BS'ing on the Ford forum. Good luck.
You can order them at Autozone so they must wear out a lot. Looks like there's two sizes for the Rangers.
https://www.autozone.com/powertrain/...tial-cross-pin
Not an expert, just BS'ing on the Ford forum. Good luck.
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Yeah it's a truck I am trying to fix up and sell, just rebuilt the motor, didn't cut any corners there, but now I am trying to save some money. I don't know I'll probably just make a guesstimate at how much play there is between the ring gear and pinion, and then If it seems okay throw a pin and maybe spiders in it. I just figured if there was enough play in the pin the spider gears ride on that they probably wore out but I guess I don't know for sure, I'll take a closer look at them tomorrow.
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