Rear differential bearing replace

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 10, 2007 | 05:17 PM

waterboy_fishing

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 186

Likes: 0

From: Adrian, Mi

Rear differential bearing replace

I'm getting ready to replace the main bearings in the differential of my F-250 super-duty and was looking for any advice on the best way to clean out the axel housing. I know there are some metal shavings and wanted to hear how you guys have done it.

Apr 10, 2007 | 09:12 PM

c.f.moore

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 466

Likes: 0

I've always used solvent and rags. A broom handle works good for shoving rags down the axle tubes (kinda like cleaning a cannon). Then use a light to check for cleanliness.

Good luck

Apr 10, 2007 | 09:54 PM

MadMedic20

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 1,142

Likes: 2

From: Denver, CO

Krewat had a great suggestion when I was working on my Excursion. Drain the diff. put the cover back on and fill with something like B12 chemtool. Jack up the rear end and rotate the wheels by hand to swish it all around. Then just drain it again, repeat if needed.

Apr 10, 2007 | 09:56 PM

99f350sd

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 9,303

Likes: 48

From: Lyndonville, Vermont

Are you gonna do all 4 bearings? How did you get metal filings in there?

Dick

Apr 10, 2007 | 10:12 PM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 42,561

Likes: 421

From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMedic20

I'd love to take the credit, but I don't think that we me

If it were me, and I didn't have to worry about disposing of lots of stuff that would be bad for the environment, I'd use a Gumout-type "steam" engine cleaner spray (the kerosene type one) and spray down the inside of the axle tubes until it's completely coated. Then wash with water. Allow to dry, air-dry, heater, something to get the thing dry fast enough not to rust the bearing seats.

Repeat if necessary... but only after completely dry - the water won't mix with the spray, exactly.

Even a rag down the tube might leave filings in the walls of the tubes. And if those filings work their way down to the wheel bearings, you have bigger problems. Did you check the wheel bearings?

--

A note about disposing apparently "bad" stuff... some things CAN be disposed of into city sewers, of all things. If their bacteria farm will eat it, it's a good thing. Kerosene, I'm not so sure of, but they do allow lots of other strange things. Anti-freeze, especially... the bacteria love it. Always call them and see what they'll take first, though...

Apr 10, 2007 | 10:59 PM

MadMedic20

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 1,142

Likes: 2

From: Denver, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by krewat

I'd love to take the credit, but I don't think that we me

It was Fredvon4, I went back and double checked. I always get good advise from you guys.

Apr 11, 2007 | 07:23 PM

waterboy_fishing

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 186

Likes: 0

From: Adrian, Mi

When I originally bought the truck the bearings were out in it and I replaced them once. The first ones were a mess. It looked like water had gotten in there. The ring and pinion looked fine. No sign of metal loss on either one. I'm sure I probably didn't get all the metal out the first time. That was two years ago. I thought about getting a garden sprayer and using that to spray something into the axle tubes and let it drain out at the cover. Then run some rags down it. Would mineral spirits work? I thought there were five bearings. The pinion, two carriers, and two wheel bearings.

Last edited by waterboy_fishing; Apr 11, 2007 at 07:27 PM. Reason: Add too