Rebuild or replace front diff?

[freak]

Ok guys.... 352,000 miles and my front diff is shot. Heard a lot of noise and dropped it today. Almost no lube in it. I bought this explorer new in 2000 and I can honestly say (even though I hate to admit) that I never once checked the lube level. Both carrier bearings are destroyed. The case itself and gears look ok but one of the carrier bear caps is broke. Should I rebuild or replace? Are the caps available? The car is pretty worn out everywhere and looks like hell but it runs great and is my go to work car.

 

[C420sailor]

If you’ve got the knowledge and skills, I vote rebuild.

 

[freak]

I just took it apart further. Too much damage. Need a new one. 3.55 ratio anyone have one?

 

[freak]

If you’ve got the knowledge and skills, I vote rebuild.

The diff carrier is ruined from the bearing spinning on it.

 

[imp]

The diff carrier is ruined from the bearing spinning on it.

Could a left-hand bearing be substituted?

 

[freak]

Could a left-hand bearing be substituted?

The bearing race spun on the carrier and ruined the carrier. ok?

 

[imp]

The bearing race spun on the carrier and ruined the carrier. ok?

A resourceful "fix" would be to "build up" a new surface on the carrier, turn it to correct dimension. Having machines to do stuff like that provides challenges beyond buying replacement parts.

One of the more difficult jobs I did of this nature was to mate a Borg-Warner H.D. O/D output shaft to my Ford Top Loader output shaft. Pressed a tool-steel collar over the shafts, welded it all together. It carried us back and forth across the U.S. numerous times, even with a 4.10 axle.

 

[freak]

A resourceful "fix" would be to "build up" a new surface on the carrier, turn it to correct dimension. Having machines to do stuff like that provides challenges beyond buying replacement parts.

If if were a rare part but there are too many available.

 

[imp]

If if were a rare part but there are too many available.

You are right, of course! Back in my early days, economics forced me to repair and improvise: no money. One of those habits hard to break!

 

[rfarana]

I just took it apart further. Too much damage. Need a new one. 3.55 ratio anyone have one?

Hello, I am new here. Been having a few issues with my engine rebuild but aside from that I have a 35 SLA front diff with the 3.73 ring and pinion. I have it listed for sale on craigslist, selling complete front drive train. Diff, CV Axles, Hub bearings. I am located in California in the Bay Area, East bay actually. I am not sure where you are located, but if interested it can be picked up? I read that the carrier break was 3.55+???? So a 3.55 R/P can be bolted to it??. I hope it helps as an option. I am selling the whole damn thing for $250 on CL. Let me know if I can help with my parts.

-Rom

 

[freak]

Hello, I am new here. Been having a few issues with my engine rebuild but aside from that I have a 35 SLA front diff with the 3.73 ring and pinion. I have it listed for sale on craigslist, selling complete front drive train. Diff, CV Axles, Hub bearings. I am located in California in the Bay Area, East bay actually. I am not sure where you are located, but if interested it can be picked up? I read that the carrier break was 3.55+???? So a 3.55 R/P can be bolted to it??. I hope it helps as an option. I am selling the whole damn thing for $250 on CL. Let me know if I can help with my parts.

-Rom

Got one for $125 today. Thanks

 

[rfarana]

Got one for $125 today. Thanks

Nice. Glad you found one!!

-Rom