Front Diff.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Eastern PA
Front Diff.
95 f250 5.8 4.10 gears, 4x4 - should be inough info.
I have dicovered a problem. I am going to give you the symptoms, then tell you what the shop said, then ask what are my options.
Symptom: As I drive with 4x4 hubs unlocked, everything seems fine. I engage the hubs and as I drive a vibration starts and worsens as I drive. I put into 4x4 high and the problem still there. I put back into 2 high and still the same, slow or fast speeds. I unlock the hubs and all goes away.
Shop Said: I need a new or used front drive axle. I assume they meant the whole thing to just pull out and put a diferent one in. the said like $800 for a used one. Is that a used on installed ?? they said something about the gears are probally binding and causing the vibration.
Options: limp thru this winter, repalce in summer. Do I have to pull the whole axle unit out. Can I just rebiuld the existing front Diff. Just replace-rebiuld the middle part (pumpkin ball ?)
thanks for the help ...
Jason
I have dicovered a problem. I am going to give you the symptoms, then tell you what the shop said, then ask what are my options.
Symptom: As I drive with 4x4 hubs unlocked, everything seems fine. I engage the hubs and as I drive a vibration starts and worsens as I drive. I put into 4x4 high and the problem still there. I put back into 2 high and still the same, slow or fast speeds. I unlock the hubs and all goes away.
Shop Said: I need a new or used front drive axle. I assume they meant the whole thing to just pull out and put a diferent one in. the said like $800 for a used one. Is that a used on installed ?? they said something about the gears are probally binding and causing the vibration.
Options: limp thru this winter, repalce in summer. Do I have to pull the whole axle unit out. Can I just rebiuld the existing front Diff. Just replace-rebiuld the middle part (pumpkin ball ?)
thanks for the help ...
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
Check your front U joints, all of them, axles and front drive line. You are only having problems when you spin the front axle drive components. U joints are the most likely culprits and the easiest item to check and the cheapest to fix.
The shop should have told you exactly what components were bad in the front end that causes it to need a replacement and why a replacement is a better option than a repair.
The shop should have told you exactly what components were bad in the front end that causes it to need a replacement and why a replacement is a better option than a repair.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
Midlf has great advice. Though axle u-joints are probably a liklier culprit, I would add that an out of balance front driveline can cause a vibration like you describe too. If the driveshaft u-joints and slip yoke are good, it's not much money to take the shaft out and take it down to a driveline shop to have the balance checked.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Eastern PA
Good and Bad news.. Good first: you guys were right !! Bad: you guys were right.
I had the 4 u-joints replaced. My front differential is supposivly shot. Though I didn't do anything to fix it. was told the gears inside were binding up and causing the vibration feel. Makes sense to me to guess. The u-joints make a huge difference in the way it drive, just sounds and feels solid again.
So the 4x4 works when needed for now, just not sure on how long it will last.. Is this something I should look at getting rebiult before it goes. Or is it unrebiuldable ?? I guess I need options fro the front diff.
thanks again you two.. you were right on !!
Jason
I had the 4 u-joints replaced. My front differential is supposivly shot. Though I didn't do anything to fix it. was told the gears inside were binding up and causing the vibration feel. Makes sense to me to guess. The u-joints make a huge difference in the way it drive, just sounds and feels solid again.
So the 4x4 works when needed for now, just not sure on how long it will last.. Is this something I should look at getting rebiult before it goes. Or is it unrebiuldable ?? I guess I need options fro the front diff.
thanks again you two.. you were right on !!
Jason
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Eastern PA
Thats my plan.. It def. rides alot stiffer and strong. No rattles and clunking.. I haven't actually engaged the 4x4 though. Kinda waiting till I need it again !! Are the front diff. rebiulbable? What do i do when and if they go out on me. I want to know that option, plus we are already on the subject !!
Jason
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
Yes the front diff is rebuildable. However, compared to everything else that can go wrong, they are pretty bullet proof. Fronts especially as they seldom get used. Change your diff fluid. Check the drained fluid for filings, chips or chunks. Run a magnet through the fluid to look for this crud. Don't worry if you just get some grey mush on the magnet. I use a suction gun to get the fluid out. This looks like a grease gun body with just a hose on it. Gear lube will be dark and smell like sulfur, this is normal. If I was looking for crud I would shoot some kerosene in to flush it out, then suck out all the kero. Work at it and get out all the kero but a little residual that gets left behind won't hurt anything. Refill to fill plug level with quality gear lube, I prefer synth.
