8.8 Axle Bearing Play?

[wolfnutts]

that is extra flex dont fix it )

humm an with all this ur oil wasnt leaking by the seals ??
you maybe able to by an offset bearing set so u dont need a new shalft as it would ride on a different spot.
did this on a chevy many yrs ago to solve same type of problem
but i guess ur all fixed now ??

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Question:

The owners manual says 5.8 pints or 2.9 quarts for rear end gear oil. I have 3 quarts in mine now, but it isn't to the fill hole. Should I fill it to the hole or just run 3 quarts?

When I rebuilt the rear end, I believe it took almost 5 quarts to fill it to the hole.

 

[IZwack]

Just fill it to the hole

 

[CDW6212R]

I think the book spec calls for something like 1/8" below the hole. We've always filled Ford rears to the hole.

All of the rear axles seals will touch completely when new. As the seal dries up and shrinks slightly over many years the slightest gap at the bottom will let it leak. That's why you should always change at least the seals every time you pull axles.

I used to have to make a puller, usually with large bolts, washers sockets, whatever could be assembled inside of the bearings. The poor man's special is an old axle with a c-clip on it. That can work, but not always.
The special puller and slide hammer is a 30 second task per side now.

 

[Hokie]

In and out is normal, up and down isn't.

How much for in an out? My shafts move ALOT. Atleast an 1/8". The C-clip and thrust washers are the only thing that locate the axle shaft axially in the axle tube right? Do the thrust washers on the carrier wear out?

It just seems like with this much wear the axle shaft would be floating around alot and rubbing the brake pads. (Maybe another factor for my crappy MPG's)

I'm thinking with 137,x.. miles I probably need new rear axle bearings/seals but and curious to why my shafts move so much in/out.

If I have to tear into the rear axle I'm not reassemblying it without putting a locker in. Although I'm not sure if I want to mess with getting an open carrier and setting up my gears to run an Aussie Locker. Too bad the No-Slip is an extra $200 over the Aussie.

 

[IZwack]

With 137k miles, I'm sure your vehicle's thrust washers and C-clips are fine. They are bathed in gear oil all of the time so they should be okay. Replacing these parts probably wont influence your gas mileage in any way as the calipers themselves also are floating around (as in they also move in/out). But I guess you could always disconnect the rear driveshaft from the vehicle, get the rear tires up off the ground, and spin the tires. There will always be drag in the system so it wont spin freely but as long as you can spin the tires with your hands without breaking a sweat, I'm sure the drag is fine.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

How much for in an out? My shafts move ALOT. Atleast an 1/8". The C-clip and thrust washers are the only thing that locate the axle shaft axially in the axle tube right? Do the thrust washers on the carrier wear out?

It just seems like with this much wear the axle shaft would be floating around alot and rubbing the brake pads. (Maybe another factor for my crappy MPG's)

I'm thinking with 137,x.. miles I probably need new rear axle bearings/seals but and curious to why my shafts move so much in/out.

If I have to tear into the rear axle I'm not reassemblying it without putting a locker in. Although I'm not sure if I want to mess with getting an open carrier and setting up my gears to run an Aussie Locker. Too bad the No-Slip is an extra $200 over the Aussie.

My axles move in and out a little, the C clips are really loose on my axle shafts. I "rebuilt" my rear axle when I swapped to an open carrier- all new bearings. I couldn't see any noticeable wear on the bearings, nor notice any difference after I rebuilt it. Personally, if I had it to do again, I wouldn't put in new bearings, just outer seals. Save your money, spend it on a locker and open carrier.

 

[CDW6212R]

The axles(bearing surface) are the weak links of the Ford's rears. The axles usually wear out before all else. Swap those bearings and seals anytime you get in there and think they have many miles on them.

My 93 Limited had a good bit of play before I rebuilt the traction lok. I added a pair of extra clutches, and the axle play became nothing, it was a really snug fit to start with. I haven't done the Ford LSD's since then, I like the Zexel Torsen differentials. I have another to go into my 99 work truck before Winter.

 

[gijoecam]

How much for in an out? My shafts move ALOT. Atleast an 1/8". The C-clip and thrust washers are the only thing that locate the axle shaft axially in the axle tube right? Do the thrust washers on the carrier wear out?

It just seems like with this much wear the axle shaft would be floating around alot and rubbing the brake pads. (Maybe another factor for my crappy MPG's)

I'm thinking with 137,x.. miles I probably need new rear axle bearings/seals but and curious to why my shafts move so much in/out.

If I have to tear into the rear axle I'm not reassemblying it without putting a locker in. Although I'm not sure if I want to mess with getting an open carrier and setting up my gears to run an Aussie Locker. Too bad the No-Slip is an extra $200 over the Aussie.

In my opinion, as long as it won't move in and out so far that the c-clip falls off the axle shaft, it's not too much.

 

[Hokie]

Thanks y'all!