I think my problems in my ABS light and speedo are related to this.
My rear differential has a ring in it that is entirely loose from everything inside.
It looks like it fits over the back of the ring gear, but it won't stay on there.
I think it's the tone/exciter ring.

Please don't tell me I'll need a new rear end.

 

It's a press fit.
Ford says to always replace the tone ring gear if it's ever removed with a new one.

 

would that be something I could do relatively easily, or definitly a shop fix?...

 

I'm assuming you have the 8.8 rear and open differential.

Yes you can replace it yourself.

Remove rear tires.

Support rear axle with jackstands.

You need to remove the rear cover and drain the fluid. (Sounds like you've already done that).

Remove Pinion Lock Shaft bolt. Some people heat it up with a propane torch to loosen the thread locker otherwise the bolt head can snap off very easily. Once that's off you pull the pinion shaft out. That allows you to push in on each axle and remove the two C clips. Then pull the axles outward so you have clearance to pull the differential housing

Mark each bearing cap. They are a precision fit and must be installed in the proper orientation in their original location. Remove the bolts holding the bearing caps. Carefully pry the differential case out. Keep track of any side shims that will fall out from each side of the differential case.

Press on new tone ring. Some people put the tone ring in the freezer for a couple of hours before they press it on.

Re-install differential housing and side shims. Retorque Bearing cap bolts. 70-85 ft. lbs.
New Pinion Shaft Lock bolt available from the Dealer 15-30 ft. lbs.

Re-fill with 5.5 pints of hypoid gear lube.

 

Thanks...
hope this is the only problem I have for awhile

 

Critical part is making sure you reinstall the same shims in their origiinal location. If you do that, the ring and pinion backlash should be the same as before you did the disassembly.

 

If it has LS, make sure to add friction modifier.

 

just a sugestion wouldnt u want to freeze the diff as opposed to the ring so the ring expands and the diff shrinks

 

Yes you're right. Good catch.

Put the tone ring in the oven.

 

suddenly feeling very hungry. looks like it s chef boy r dee time.....i hope theyre a sponser on here i dont want to promote the enemy;maybe ill just whip up some old spark plug and distributor wire stew

 

It's absolutely necessary to have the new exciter ring pressed in? i mean, i won't be able to just install it? sounds a little harder than what i expected (taking the carrier out and putting the new ring in place and i have no press, just a C-clamp).