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Which Rearend?

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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 08:40 AM
  #1  
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theisen_4
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Which Rearend?

After a botched repair job for the rearend shudder, the complete rear axle assembly was replaced on by XLT SCrew. After my experiences with the first dealership's "repair", I'm a little paranoid about the work done by the second dealership. My SCrew had the 3.73 LS and I'm told the same axle was installed. My question is - Can I verify by looking at the rearend that they did indeed install the correct axle?
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 09:15 AM
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You should be able to tell pretty easily by driving it compared to the old one. When I test drove a few trucks, I totally could tell the 3.55 over the 3.73.

However if you cant tell. I think there is a way to measure by rolling the rear wheel in one single rotation and watching the spinning of the driveshaft. It might be tough to notice but if you mark up the drive shaft with chalk you should be able to tell. You're truck should have 3.73 (or 3 and 3/4's) drive shaft revolutions for spinning the rear wheels one time around. I havent done it since high school but it should still work.

T
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 10:18 AM
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Or you could just look at the metal tag on the rear end. There should be the "73" numbers in there. If you see "55", then it's the 3.55 gears. Can someone post how to tell the LS from the non-LS. I don't recall the number change there.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 10:49 AM
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They can put what ever tag they want on the rearend...it just slips through one of the bolts. I'd try the measurement route. Look at this link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=260293. I noticed a difference between the 3.55 and the 3.73 too. It took all I had to keep the 73 from breaking the tires loose.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 11:49 AM
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While that may be true, I would think a dealership would get their butts in trouble if they're swapping those tags. It's my understanding those tags are serialized numbers for tracking rear ends. It would be like swapping VINS.

I guess the best thing would have been to write down the numbers on that tag before and after. The serial should have changed afterwards.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 12:08 PM
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How do I know if there is LS in rearend?

Use jack floor to raise the rear (both tires off the ground) then (use your hands) to rotate the tires...

If the rear tires rotate goes forward then you have LS. If the tire rotate in oppsite way then you dont have LS in rear.

YOMAN!
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 92merc
While that may be true, I would think a dealership would get their butts in trouble if they're swapping those tags. It's my understanding those tags are serialized numbers for tracking rear ends. It would be like swapping VINS.
Yeah..there really is no gain for the dealer to put a different gear in anyway. They cost the same to buy the part and install so its really a wash.

T
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 02:58 PM
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http://www.drivetrain.com/Fordtrkratio_posidata.html
I am not sure if this holds true anymore..
 
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Old Sep 13, 2004 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by YOMAN
How do I know if there is LS in rearend?

Use jack floor to raise the rear (both tires off the ground) then (use your hands) to rotate the tires...

If the rear tires rotate goes forward then you have LS. If the tire rotate in oppsite way then you dont have LS in rear.

YOMAN!
Make sure you put the transmission in neutral when you do this. If the drive shaft can't turn, the wheels will turn in opposite directions with limited slip, it will just be hard to turn because you will be overcoming the clutch packs.
 
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Old Sep 14, 2004 | 05:30 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by 92merc
While that may be true, I would think a dealership would get their butts in trouble if they're swapping those tags. It's my understanding those tags are serialized numbers for tracking rear ends. It would be like swapping VINS.

I guess the best thing would have been to write down the numbers on that tag before and after. The serial should have changed afterwards.
I agree there is no benefit to swapping tags. But for some reason Theisen feels it could happen...was just playing devils advocate
 
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