HELP Rear end tranny?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 11, 2003 | 09:25 PM

jeremy50

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 49

Likes: 1

From: Shelby Township USA

HELP Rear end tranny?

Hey guys. Rough nite. 94 351 Auto Bronco broke down. I thought it was my rear end because my drive shaft will spin but my truck doesn't move. My passenger rear tire is about to fall off telling me my rear end is shot. I took off the rear drive shaft and put it in 4 wheel drive to drive to get it in my driveway. I pushed it forward to lock the hubs to engang my front drive shaft. Nothing.... Shouldn't my front wheels work in 4wheel drive regardless? Is it possible that my drive shaft wigging out blew out my trans to? Its a 4aod trans. Please guys I need your help. I'm screwed.

Thanks

Sad Bronco owner. Jeremy

Feb 12, 2003 | 12:20 PM

greystreak92

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9,182

Likes: 12

From: Gateway to the West

HELP Rear end tranny?

Auto hubs? If so its possible you just can't get enough centrifugal force going by pushing the truck to engage them.

The rear end may not be completely shot. If one axle has "walked" out of the rear end you may be dealing with a bad bearing and a broken bearing retainer. I had this problem on a '69 Cadi one time...turned a corner in a movie theatre parking lot and the axle slipped out of the rear end. Had to have the thing towed home. A locker in the rear would have helped. But after having the local machine shop check the axle out and clean up the end where the splines had gotten a little mangled, they installed and new bearing and retainer. I put the assembly back in the Cadi and drove her with no problems for the next three years. Note on the spline thing....the very tip of the axle had the splines ground off because the axle had slipped out so far that the last 1/8" of spline couldn't handle the torque coming from the 472cid under the hood. The machine shop guys said there was still plenty of spline left to reuse the axle.

If that is what happened, make certain that you clean out the rear end thoroughly, the last thing you want is bits of steel bearing retainer finding their way into your dif..

Feb 13, 2003 | 09:42 AM

jeremy50

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 49

Likes: 1

From: Shelby Township USA

HELP Rear end tranny?

Ok. All I know is the rear sounds like two oversize female battlebots on PMS going at it. I've got a guy taking a look at it tomorrow. He told me it would be a good idea to call some salvage yards and try to find a used one. Problem is I've called 10 yards and nobody has one. Its a 3.55 LS / non ABS. What rear axes or from what vehicles and years can I use in the 94 Bronco just in case? Thanks man.

Feb 13, 2003 | 11:01 AM

greystreak92

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9,182

Likes: 12

From: Gateway to the West

HELP Rear end tranny?

Any F-series truck with the 31 spline 8.8 rear end. So, any F-150 or bronco through these years. Its my understanding that from 87-96 all the 8.8's were pretty much equipped the same way for full size trucks only. Your 94 doesn't even have rear ABS? Interesting. It won't matter if you end up with an 8.8 that has the ABS ring in it. It will still work. Finding the LS could be more difficult.

Feb 13, 2003 | 11:51 AM

FordPerf300

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 1,187

Likes: 0

From: CT

HELP Rear end tranny?

How could it not have the sensor? That ABS sensor is also your speed sensor (thats how it is in my '93 F150). Are you sure you have an 8.8 axle and not a 9", does the axle have a diff cover that can be removed?
I'd say just pick up a new ring and pinion set from randy's ring and pinion (or any other reputable R&P company) Bring it to a shop and have them set it up. If you want to go with a different used axle, you can use any axle from 78 - 96 from broncos or F series pickups in your bronco (either the 8.8 or 9") they will all bolt up. And because you say you do not have the sensor in your axle this will help your chances of finding a 3.55LS axle.

Feb 13, 2003 | 12:03 PM

jeremy50

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 49

Likes: 1

From: Shelby Township USA

HELP Rear end tranny?

You know I was wondering the same thing. But when I drive it definetly doesn't seem like I have ABS. Nor when I start the car does a ABS light go on? I thought they all had ABS. I only found 1 rear end at a junk yard and all I know about it is its a 3.55 8.8 32spline. The guy thinks its out of a 93 Bronco. Do I have to worry about the speed sensors and crap if its older or what?

Feb 13, 2003 | 05:03 PM

steve83

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 9,987

Likes: 7

From: Memphis, TN

HELP Rear end tranny?

All Broncos after '92 have 4WABS. You can see the pump under the air intake above the steering box on the L frame rail.

Your rear axle DOES have AND need the ABS sensor, for the 4WABS (if you ever get it working), the cruise, the speedometer, the compass/thermometer, and most importantly for the EEC which controls the automatic transmission.

There is no 32-spline, and if it's from an '87-96 F-150 or Bronco, it's what you need.