i was doin some burnouts in my driveway with my new (to me) 77 f250 custom 4x4. only my rear passenger side wheel was spinning. anybody know why both of my back wheels wont turn?

 

It's called a differential. That's what it does.

 

Unless you have a limited slip, a locker or a spool you are only going to have one tire in the back spin. It is called an open diff.

 

Peg leg, one wheel wonder, one tire frier. They go by many names but open differentials suck.
-John

 

It is also possible that it could be a limited slip but the clutches in the carrier wear over time. Or it is a open differential.

 

seems like a lot of people think that a 4x4(with open diffs) means that all 4 tires are "powered" but actually its only one rear and one front. if you think about it, if you were going around a corner and both tires were rotating the same distance, itd kind of "lock" up the rear and squeal. its hard to describe it in words, and trying to describe that to my cousin in person--he still doesnt understand why hahaha

 

so how do i get a closed differential? do i need a whole new rear end?

 

no, you do not need a whole new rear end. you need a new carrier. that is the part inside the ring gear that goes to the axle shafts. in an open differential, there is what is called a spider gear. it powers both sides equally when your drivin down the road and allows the tires to turn different speeds around corners. well, when your doin a "peg leg" as you described, its because the spider gear is allowin 100% difference in speed (one turnin one not). in a forward gear, it will always go to the right rear because of the way torque is applied. in reverse, it will be the left because the torque is oppositely applied. this is what is called an "open" differential. now, a limited slip is a clutch pack that works inside the diff that applies friction to limit the ability to spin different speeds, but not eliminate it. a "locker" allows you to have an open differential that will lock, eliminatin the ability for the tires to spin different speeds. its ideal for rock crawlin and heavy mud use. then there is the spool. it is a solid carrier. no spiders, no clutch packs, no locker. it is a "closed" differential. NOT ideal for much but specialty rigs, i.e.: dragsters, truck pullers, "mud-only" trailer rigs, ect. for what you are doin a limited slip is all you need.

open


limited


locked


spool

 

how much is the new carrier? and how hard are they to put in? and if i get one of those ill get both wheels spinning at the same time?

 

im not sure of prices. to put one in, well, you can see how the ones above are. if youre in a 250 or heavier, its gonna be kinda like the first pic, and it will be easier. youll have to unbolt the the diff cover, and drain the fluid, the axle shafts come out without actually takin the wheel off, and can in fact be done with the vehicle on the ground. they come out like this:



then you unbolt the carrier, and take it out, put the ring gear on the new one, and reassemble.

for a 9 inch, you have to lift the truck, remove the drive shaft, take off the wheels and everything, undo the "c" clips to get the axle shafts out, take out the third member (the last picture with the spool) and then take the carrier off of it, swap the ring gear, and then reassemble.

 

A Ford 9 inch does not have C-clips like the Ford 8.8, which does.

The 9 inch axles are bolted on with axle retainers at the end of the axle tube.

Josh

 

He has an F250 so it probably has a Dana 60. It's a little more complicated than just dropping the center section and puting in a limited slip version.
D60's don't have a replaceable center section. You'll either have to rebuild the one that's in there or swap the entire rear for one that has limited slip.

 

just by the questions you asked, your not qualified to install anything in a differential...its not THAT hard of a job, but if you dont know what your doing and dont set the ring and pinion up right, you can ruin expensive parts in a hurry....have a pro swap in a limited slip or selectable locker, then you at least have a warranty to fall back on..if you go limited slip make sure to use the proper oil additive...or if you find a whole axle assembly with the locker and gears you need/want, then you can do it in your driveway in a few hours with a buddys help....dont tear apart your carrier unless you have researched and learned everything about the process, otherwise you will get halfway into it and realize your in WAYYYY over your head....heck just reading the procedure will probably convince you to have a pro do it...ive personally rebuild several rearends at the speed shop i used to work at, and i STILL dont have it down....

 

Nope...not really. Step 1: Remove open carrier. Step 2: Replace with limited-slip/locker.

The critical steps are pinion depth and pinion bearing preload. But as long as you don't touch the pinion gear, there is no gear "setup". You simply have to adjust backlash.....which is 'nearly' idiot proof. If you can count, you can set backlash. However, you WILL need a bearing press, setup bearings, and a dial indicator with stand. It's PROBABLY best you have someone else to do it. But, if you are willing to invest in the proper tools, it's possible to do yourself.