MORE!!...Rear End Troubles......
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Sterling,would that be called Ford or Sterling?The guy i've been talking to asked if it was a Ford or Dana,he didn't say anything about Sterling(he runs a big truck parts shop here in NC),its where i got my driveline built.Sorry for trying to be so specific/technical,this rear axle thing is new to me...LOL
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Well Barney,I'm not sure what I would be looking for/at...LOL,what would be a good sign after removing the cover,like i said i've had very little experience inside the cover,just fluid changes...Phil
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 0
From: Northeast TN
Barney is correct.
The axle is officially called a Ford 10.5" rear axle. But it's made in the Ford axle plant in Sterling, Michigan, so lots of old-timers call it a Sterling axle. And Ford sold that plant to Visteon a few years ago, so now it's called a Visteon 10.5" axle.
The 10.5" refers to the diameter of the ring gear. The OBS (old body style) Ford Heavy Duty pickups, '97 and earlier, had a Ford 10.25" rear axle, but Ford pumped it up to 10.5" for the extra horses in the '99 SuperDuty PSD.
It's taken me half of a hour of searching to find that info and Barney knew it off the top of his head.lol
The axle is officially called a Ford 10.5" rear axle. But it's made in the Ford axle plant in Sterling, Michigan, so lots of old-timers call it a Sterling axle. And Ford sold that plant to Visteon a few years ago, so now it's called a Visteon 10.5" axle.
The 10.5" refers to the diameter of the ring gear. The OBS (old body style) Ford Heavy Duty pickups, '97 and earlier, had a Ford 10.25" rear axle, but Ford pumped it up to 10.5" for the extra horses in the '99 SuperDuty PSD.
It's taken me half of a hour of searching to find that info and Barney knew it off the top of his head.lol
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Barney is correct.
The axle is officially called a Ford 10.5" rear axle. But it's made in the Ford axle plant in Sterling, Michigan, so lots of old-timers call it a Sterling axle. And Ford sold that plant to Visteon a few years ago, so now it's called a Visteon 10.5" axle.
The 10.5" refers to the diameter of the ring gear. The OBS (old body style) Ford Heavy Duty pickups, '97 and earlier, had a Ford 10.25" rear axle, but Ford pumped it up to 10.5" for the extra horses in the '99 SuperDuty PSD.
It's taken me half an hour of searching to find that info and Barney knew it off the top of his head.lol
The axle is officially called a Ford 10.5" rear axle. But it's made in the Ford axle plant in Sterling, Michigan, so lots of old-timers call it a Sterling axle. And Ford sold that plant to Visteon a few years ago, so now it's called a Visteon 10.5" axle.
The 10.5" refers to the diameter of the ring gear. The OBS (old body style) Ford Heavy Duty pickups, '97 and earlier, had a Ford 10.25" rear axle, but Ford pumped it up to 10.5" for the extra horses in the '99 SuperDuty PSD.
It's taken me half an hour of searching to find that info and Barney knew it off the top of his head.lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
My E99 is a 10.25.
Differential tag: S409B 3L73 102 8C11 The 102 is for a 10.25 If it said 105 it would be a 10.5
Here's the whole breakdown of the diff tag coding.
S409B
S = Sterling Differential
409 = Print Number (Model Number)
B = Revision Identifier (Change in Design)
3L73
3L73 = 3.73 Ratio
L = Limited Slip
Absence of L = Open Differential.
102 denotes the ring gear size. 10.25 inches.
8C11 is the build date.
8 = year of manufacture. In this case it means 1998.
C = month of manufacture. A= January, L= December so C= March
11 = day of manufacture. So My differential was manufactured on March 11, 1998
Differential tag: S409B 3L73 102 8C11 The 102 is for a 10.25 If it said 105 it would be a 10.5
Here's the whole breakdown of the diff tag coding.
S409B
S = Sterling Differential
409 = Print Number (Model Number)
B = Revision Identifier (Change in Design)
3L73
3L73 = 3.73 Ratio
L = Limited Slip
Absence of L = Open Differential.
102 denotes the ring gear size. 10.25 inches.
8C11 is the build date.
8 = year of manufacture. In this case it means 1998.
C = month of manufacture. A= January, L= December so C= March
11 = day of manufacture. So My differential was manufactured on March 11, 1998
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Phil:
What to look for:
The large gear on the side is the ring gear - check it for chipping.
Check the 4 smaller gears in the center of the carrier. Two will be on the sides, splined to the axles.
Two more will ride in the center, inside the carrier - these are the ones that usually deteriorate, at least in my experience. Their gear teeth interface with the side axle gears. These 2 spin around a center shaft.
Check these in particular for obvious wear, chunks and chips.
Examine the oil for pieces of metal coming out.
Examine the back of the fill plug for metal chips and shavings - it should be magnetic to catch metallic debris. A fuzz of shavings is OK - chunks are not.
At the bottom of the axle housing will be a recess to catch debris - check it for crud.
If you see any chipping or obvious wear on the spiders, or metal chips in the oil or the recess at the bottom of the axle, don't go long without changing them.
The risk of going too long is that something will eventually get caught up in the ring and pinion gear, and tear them up. Fixing them means replacing the ring and pinion which requires some technical capability - and that is expensive work if you have to pay for it.
Hope this helps.
What to look for:
The large gear on the side is the ring gear - check it for chipping.
Check the 4 smaller gears in the center of the carrier. Two will be on the sides, splined to the axles.
Two more will ride in the center, inside the carrier - these are the ones that usually deteriorate, at least in my experience. Their gear teeth interface with the side axle gears. These 2 spin around a center shaft.
Check these in particular for obvious wear, chunks and chips.
Examine the oil for pieces of metal coming out.
Examine the back of the fill plug for metal chips and shavings - it should be magnetic to catch metallic debris. A fuzz of shavings is OK - chunks are not.
At the bottom of the axle housing will be a recess to catch debris - check it for crud.
If you see any chipping or obvious wear on the spiders, or metal chips in the oil or the recess at the bottom of the axle, don't go long without changing them.
The risk of going too long is that something will eventually get caught up in the ring and pinion gear, and tear them up. Fixing them means replacing the ring and pinion which requires some technical capability - and that is expensive work if you have to pay for it.
Hope this helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 0
From: Northeast TN
Your truck is a HOSS! 
Thanks for the info Robin. Copied and saved.
My E99 is a 10.25.
Differential tag: S409B 3L73 102 8C11 The 102 is for a 10.25 If it said 105 it would be a 10.5
Here's the whole breakdown of the diff tag coding.
S409B
S = Sterling Differential
409 = Print Number (Model Number)
B = Revision Identifier (Change in Design)
3L73
3L73 = 3.73 Ratio
L = Limited Slip
Absence of L = Open Differential.
102 denotes the ring gear size. 10.25 inches.
8C11 is the build date.
8 = year of manufacture. In this case it means 1998.
C = month of manufacture. A= January, L= December so C= March
11 = day of manufacture. So My differential was manufactured on March 11, 1998
Differential tag: S409B 3L73 102 8C11 The 102 is for a 10.25 If it said 105 it would be a 10.5
Here's the whole breakdown of the diff tag coding.
S409B
S = Sterling Differential
409 = Print Number (Model Number)
B = Revision Identifier (Change in Design)
3L73
3L73 = 3.73 Ratio
L = Limited Slip
Absence of L = Open Differential.
102 denotes the ring gear size. 10.25 inches.
8C11 is the build date.
8 = year of manufacture. In this case it means 1998.
C = month of manufacture. A= January, L= December so C= March
11 = day of manufacture. So My differential was manufactured on March 11, 1998
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
Hey guys,i might have a hook up on a used rear end,but i'm not sure what years will fit,can anyone tell me?My brother-in-law(and my daughters teacher)told me about a parts yard in Siler City NC that has "lots" of parts for medium duty trucks.I just need to know what years will fit...thx guys...
Phil
Phil
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
Hey Phil, look at this link www.partsguyed.com , number 5 part is your likely culprit, the popping around corners and scuffing is most likely from the pinion gear set, there's 2 of them. By popping off the rear cover, in nuetral off the ground rotating the gear assembly, you can look in there and see if any teeth or missing, also reach your fingers down in the bottom of the pumpkin and feel around for broken teeth. I paid about 70.00 bucks I think 8 month ago for my Expy, cheaper than the SD. Ed could take care of you, less than a rear. It may look intimadating but changing out those pinion gears is a breeze and no dialing in so to speak. Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 19
From: Archdale,N.C.
LOL...Mike...Dude,i know i'm being a chicken#%$&...i have to leave in the AM going back to KY/TN,i'll be back Wed. morn.i'll be off for a week and i'm going in then,i just dread it. I've had the cover off before when i changed the fluid,i looked around a little but never looked close..ya know...but im sure i can handle it,thanks for the support...LOL..i need it