Need help with front diff removal

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Jan 9, 2008 | 09:12 AM

wvmudder

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From: Tyler Co., West Virginia

Need help with front diff removal

My 2000 Explorer developed this noise 4 days ago and just yesterday my front end locked up and almost wrecked me (pulled me into other lane, thank god there was no traffic coming in other direction). I had it towed home and checked everything outside the frame, wheel bearings, brakes, etc. I puled the front driveshaft and came to the conclusion it is the front diff that is locked up.

With the front end jacked up and on jack stands, I can spin the driver side tire and the passenger side will rotate in the opposite direction. But when I try to rotate them in the same direction, it locks up. Any ideas?

BTW, the noise wasnt bad, it sounded like it was in 4wd or maybe the brakes were ready for replacement.

So, what am I lookin at to pull the front diff? Would I be better off getting another diff from a yard or rebuilding my old one? Thanks, D.

Jan 9, 2008 | 09:40 AM

wvmudder

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From: Tyler Co., West Virginia

Ok, I just got off the phone with a local yard, $200 for another one, not as bad as I thought it would be. Do these things have gear ratio tags on them like the regular axles do? The guy at the yard told me they come in 4 ratios, 3.27, 3.55, 3.73, or 4.10. I need to know what mine is, how do I look this up? Thanks, D.

Jan 9, 2008 | 01:13 PM

5.0B2

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From: Helena,MT

Check the tag on the rear dif. - has to be the same ratio.

Jan 9, 2008 | 05:02 PM

steve(ill)

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the tires should roll in different directions when one is turned.. you need to take drive shaft off, turn the input pinion and see what happens. maybe the pinion bearing locked up? it appears the bevel set is doing what it should if the alxe shafts move and turn in different directions.

Jan 10, 2008 | 08:57 AM

wvmudder

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From: Tyler Co., West Virginia

The driveshaft is already out and it still wont turn either direction(both wheels same direction).

When removing the CV shafts, do they pull out of the housing or are they fastened in some how?

Once the CV shafts are out, does anything else need removed in order to unbolt the center housing? I saw a diagram that shows only 3 bolts holding it in place, can that be correct?

THanks guys, Dave.

Jan 10, 2008 | 03:57 PM

99f350sd

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From: Lyndonville, Vermont

Sounds like your pinion bearings locked..

Dick

Jan 12, 2008 | 03:27 AM

wvmudder

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From: Tyler Co., West Virginia

Any idea what causes this? I'm curious, is there something I should look at on the replacement I bought before I put it in? I bought an entire front section today at a local yard, the vehicle had around 50,000 miles on it. Thanks guys, Dave.