Help Rear End Trouble
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
From: East Tn
Help Rear End Trouble
I pulled both axles out today to check my wheel bearings. The bearings were fine. I pulled the plug out of the rear end to check the fluid and found this.
It's a crappy cell phone pict, but it looked like a long, thin spring that got chewed up. I'm hoping it is the spring on the inside of one of the pinion seals (2 total) that has been replaced since I have had the truck. The first one didn't seal for some reason. Is there any other small springs in the rear? I cleaned the metal off and went for a short drive and found no more metal. Any ideas or positive encouragement? The rear end doesn't pop or whine or anything.
It's a crappy cell phone pict, but it looked like a long, thin spring that got chewed up. I'm hoping it is the spring on the inside of one of the pinion seals (2 total) that has been replaced since I have had the truck. The first one didn't seal for some reason. Is there any other small springs in the rear? I cleaned the metal off and went for a short drive and found no more metal. Any ideas or positive encouragement? The rear end doesn't pop or whine or anything.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
How big are the pieces? If it's just tiny little metal shavings, that's not as bad as chewed up spring pieces. Still a good idea to clean that off and keep an eye on it.
How long has it been since you last changed the diff fluid? Might be worth popping the cover off and taking a look at things.
How long has it been since you last changed the diff fluid? Might be worth popping the cover off and taking a look at things.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
From: East Tn
Well, I pulled the cover today and nothing. Nothing in the sump, no wear marks on the ring and pinion. Spider gears looked good to. Found 2 chips stuck on the cover and that''s it. So where did it come from???? I did find out why Ford replaced the rear end under warrenty. The cover had wear marks where something had gotten into it in the past
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
It does look "normal" to me. We pull plugs on semis, tractors, high and low rpm gear boxes and they all have that. It's just small flakes of steel mixing with gear lube gunk(assuming that's not actual shards of steel. Could you rub it between your fingers with out feeling any large chunks?) Needle bearings or springs would have left much larger chunks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
camodown
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
133
Sep 2, 2025 12:31 PM
61 uni
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
4
Jan 3, 2008 08:36 AM
61 uni
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Oct 1, 2007 11:18 PM
