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Rear End Trouble

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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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Rear End Trouble

This truck isn't a OBS, but I allways have had good luck with this forum so...

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
 
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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 08:58 PM
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kind of looks like the seal spring but as you said, it is a crappy pic. i would inspect everything very carefully and perhaps even pop the carrier out and inspect the bearings if you really feel up to it. change the fluid and see what it looks like. drive for a week and recheck the magnet for any metal
 
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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 09:06 PM
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What could cause the seal spring to comeout? Ever saw that before Joe? Will it hurt the seal(which isn't leaking?) I'm gonna change the fluid Saterday.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2009 | 09:18 PM
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i have seen them come out from improper instalation. the seal will fail prematurly without the spring
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 01:14 PM
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Took that pict and some of the metal to the dealer who put the pinion seal in today. They acted like it wasn't a big deal and said that is what the magnet was for.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 04:53 PM
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If that is what made it to the magnet imagine what is in the bottom of the housing.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 05:57 PM
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Metal

Originally Posted by 61 uni
Took that pict and some of the metal to the dealer who put the pinion seal in today. They acted like it wasn't a big deal and said that is what the magnet was for.
I've never seen that much metal on anything that wasn't broken. No telling how long it will hold up. Maybe forever. Looks like a time bomb to me though.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 08:20 PM
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my vote is still to pop the cover off and clean it out then recheck it in a few days
 
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Old Apr 30, 2009 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by c00nhunterjoe
my vote is still to pop the cover off and clean it out then recheck it in a few days
I'm going to that Sat. Joe. Truck is parked until then.
 
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Old May 2, 2009 | 12:39 PM
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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.
 
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