Rear Axle Seals - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*cherrybomb* · 08-04-2006, 10:53 PM

So, I've had my new tires for about three months. And shortly after I got them, I started noticing an interesting smell emitting from my truck after more than about 10 miles of driving.

Initially, I marked it up to an aroma which the tires made when they warmed up, they are a compound I've never used before, so I assumed it was my own ignorance that I couldn't identify it, though I had detected that it was particularly strong in the wheel wells, so it seemed logical that it was coming from the tires.

Well, just today, after driving for about 60 miles or so, with a few stops in between, I noticed the smell was VERY strong when I got out of the truck. I was explaining to my wife what I thought it was (the tires) and took a good whiff of the rear tire again. But this time, the smell was more familiar. I sniffed the front tire, and it didn't have the aroma at all.

Turns out, the smell is gear oil. I think my rear seals/bearings are going out. :-( It even makes sense why I was getting an oily weird substance on the back of my truck, just behind the tires. I had thought it was just road dirt more easily thrown by the wider tires, but now I'm pretty sure it's the oil getting sprayed.

I'm gonna check tomorrow to see what my oil level is like, and probably top it up. Then start pricing parts for a rear seal/bearing replacement.

Anyone else done this job? Any estimate on what it would cost, or how difficult it is?

Also, what are the chances that my wheel and tire combo caused the problem? I know they are about 10lbs heavier per corner than my previous setup, and a fair bit wider. I'm running Saleen 18x10 24mm backspace with a 265x60x18 tire. I know a few people have run this, so I'm hoping I haven't somehow overloaded the bearing. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

**IZwack** · 08-04-2006, 11:46 PM

Replacing the rear seals is a peice of cake - the hardest part is probably removing the axle shafts. Expect to spend an entire weekend or so because, while replacing the seal itself is a no brainer, there are many components that must be removed including the axle shafts. If you've had experience with axles before, then you can certainly do it in a day or less.

The weight of the wheels/tires combo typically does not affect the load on the bearing. This is because it is not the tires/wheels that are resting on the bearings, but rather the vehicle.

One factor that will shorten a bearing's life is an improperly balanced tire/wheel. But bearings do go out just because of normal wear - so I'm pretty sure your vehicle is fine and just needs a new set of bearings/seals. I replaced mine around ~115k miles.

Cost wise - if you already have a good set of tools, the bearings and seals should probably cost you somewhere under $70.

'97 V8 · 08-05-2006, 01:46 AM

Arent our bearings and seals pressed on?

Homerexplorer · 08-05-2006, 07:38 AM

I replaced mine at~70k and I've never run larger tires. The bearings and seals are pressed in. You can rent the puller from Autozone or the like. One note of caution with the puller - make sure it is resting on the hub and is not preventing the bearing from coming out. When I did it, the tool allowed the bearing to come out ~1/8" (making me think all was good) and then blocked it. At this point it was crushing the bearing and not removing it. Obviously the guy before me had done the same thing because he had broken one of the puller jaws. I had to fab a spacer out of bar stock to bridge the spacer out past the hub.

Like IZwack said, you have to remove the diff cover (change the fluid) so that you can remove the lock pin and rear shafts (easy but messy). In the process, you'll probably clean or replace the emergency brake because it's covered with gear oil.

*cherrybomb* · 08-05-2006, 12:07 PM

Cool guys. Thanks for the info. I've got a little over 85k on my truck, so it sounds like it's not unreasonable to need to replace them.

Any suggestions on where I should buy the bearings. I been doing a little internet shopping and haven't really found any. I suspect they'll be available at local parts stores, but I haven't quite looked yet.

Think I'll take this as an opprotunity to install a trick flow diff cover/girdle. :-)

I'll do a small writeup when I finish it. Probably in the next couple weeks. Gonna top up the diff for now.

Homerexplorer · 08-05-2006, 06:50 PM

Autozone actually carries Timkens (or did)

**IZwack** · 08-05-2006, 09:18 PM

Stay away from the "Motor City" brand -- they just suck.

Homerexplorer · 08-06-2006, 08:58 AM

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...=1#post1488821 - same thing.

08-04-2006, 10:53 PM	#1
cherrybomb Elite Explorer Southern California '99 EB 5.0L (R.I.P) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 259 Vehicle Specs	Rear Axle Seals So, I've had my new tires for about three months. And shortly after I got them, I started noticing an interesting smell emitting from my truck after more than about 10 miles of driving. Initially, I marked it up to an aroma which the tires made when they warmed up, they are a compound I've never used before, so I assumed it was my own ignorance that I couldn't identify it, though I had detected that it was particularly strong in the wheel wells, so it seemed logical that it was coming from the tires. Well, just today, after driving for about 60 miles or so, with a few stops in between, I noticed the smell was VERY strong when I got out of the truck. I was explaining to my wife what I thought it was (the tires) and took a good whiff of the rear tire again. But this time, the smell was more familiar. I sniffed the front tire, and it didn't have the aroma at all. Turns out, the smell is gear oil. I think my rear seals/bearings are going out. :-( It even makes sense why I was getting an oily weird substance on the back of my truck, just behind the tires. I had thought it was just road dirt more easily thrown by the wider tires, but now I'm pretty sure it's the oil getting sprayed. I'm gonna check tomorrow to see what my oil level is like, and probably top it up. Then start pricing parts for a rear seal/bearing replacement. Anyone else done this job? Any estimate on what it would cost, or how difficult it is? Also, what are the chances that my wheel and tire combo caused the problem? I know they are about 10lbs heavier per corner than my previous setup, and a fair bit wider. I'm running Saleen 18x10 24mm backspace with a 265x60x18 tire. I know a few people have run this, so I'm hoping I haven't somehow overloaded the bearing. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

08-04-2006, 11:46 PM	#2
IZwack Germantown, MD Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 18,274 Vehicle Specs	Replacing the rear seals is a peice of cake - the hardest part is probably removing the axle shafts. Expect to spend an entire weekend or so because, while replacing the seal itself is a no brainer, there are many components that must be removed including the axle shafts. If you've had experience with axles before, then you can certainly do it in a day or less. The weight of the wheels/tires combo typically does not affect the load on the bearing. This is because it is not the tires/wheels that are resting on the bearings, but rather the vehicle. One factor that will shorten a bearing's life is an improperly balanced tire/wheel. But bearings do go out just because of normal wear - so I'm pretty sure your vehicle is fine and just needs a new set of bearings/seals. I replaced mine around ~115k miles. Cost wise - if you already have a good set of tools, the bearings and seals should probably cost you somewhere under $70. __________________ »»»»» Exsqueeze me? Baking powder?

08-05-2006, 01:46 AM	#3
'97 V8 Wannabe Elite Explorer Lima, Ohio '97 mounty 5.0 4x4 baby!! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,698 Vehicle Specs	Arent our bearings and seals pressed on? __________________ 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4x4 V8 3" bl, manual t-case. Dana 60/14 bolt combo with 36x13.5x17 iroks on H2 rims. 5.13's. Future plan: 3.9 or 5.9 Turbo diesel cummins

08-05-2006, 09:18 PM	#7
IZwack Germantown, MD Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 18,274 Vehicle Specs	Stay away from the "Motor City" brand -- they just suck. __________________ »»»»» Exsqueeze me? Baking powder?

08-05-2006, 07:38 AM	#4
Homerexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Upstate NY 99 XLT 4WD Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 185 Vehicle Specs	I replaced mine at~70k and I've never run larger tires. The bearings and seals are pressed in. You can rent the puller from Autozone or the like. One note of caution with the puller - make sure it is resting on the hub and is not preventing the bearing from coming out. When I did it, the tool allowed the bearing to come out ~1/8" (making me think all was good) and then blocked it. At this point it was crushing the bearing and not removing it. Obviously the guy before me had done the same thing because he had broken one of the puller jaws. I had to fab a spacer out of bar stock to bridge the spacer out past the hub. Like IZwack said, you have to remove the diff cover (change the fluid) so that you can remove the lock pin and rear shafts (easy but messy). In the process, you'll probably clean or replace the emergency brake because it's covered with gear oil.

08-05-2006, 12:07 PM	#5
cherrybomb Elite Explorer Southern California '99 EB 5.0L (R.I.P) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 259 Vehicle Specs	Cool guys. Thanks for the info. I've got a little over 85k on my truck, so it sounds like it's not unreasonable to need to replace them. Any suggestions on where I should buy the bearings. I been doing a little internet shopping and haven't really found any. I suspect they'll be available at local parts stores, but I haven't quite looked yet. Think I'll take this as an opprotunity to install a trick flow diff cover/girdle. :-) I'll do a small writeup when I finish it. Probably in the next couple weeks. Gonna top up the diff for now.

08-05-2006, 06:50 PM	#6
Homerexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Upstate NY 99 XLT 4WD Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 185 Vehicle Specs	Autozone actually carries Timkens (or did)

08-06-2006, 08:58 AM	#8
Homerexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Upstate NY 99 XLT 4WD Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 185 Vehicle Specs	http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...=1#post1488821 - same thing.