DesertSpive
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- November 12, 2001
- Messages
- 771
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '02 Ranger FX4
Well, I have been driving my truck in limited trips waiting for my RCD bracket to come in, but the d/side axle seal was leaking very bad. To the point I was putting in oil every couple days. So I went to Ford and bought a new seal and my new axle came in the mail. So, my buddy and I decided to do a swap, just to get that stuff squared away, so that when RCD installs the bracket everything is done.
Well, much to my suprise, when we pulled the axle out, the outer diff bearing fell apart and all the rollers dropped out. After pulling the bearing out, we discover 1/4 of the basket was blown out. Now I am really worried as to what the inside of the diff looks like (if anything made it in that far). So we duct taped up the hole and I drove home with no axle on the d-side. Hopefully that didn't damage the locker or the other axle and bearings.
So, until I get the RCD bracket in, I can't really drive the truck. I am going to go to Ford tommorrow and order the bearing. Does anyone know how much it would be to have someone press the bearing in to the housing while it is still on the truck? if not, what kind of tool would it take?
When I take the truck to RCD, I am going to take the cover off the diff when they remove it from the truck to examine to insides. I am praying that the pass side bearings aren't about to fail (I haven't had any problems with that side). Hopefully the R&P will be in good shape. If it isn't, I guess I can always leave the truck at RCD and bring the whole housing to a diff shop and have them do the R&P. If the R&P is messed up, I might as well do 4.56s now.
Anyone have any ideas or thoughts? Or advice? I am interested to hear anything at this point. I am kinda bummed out and really want to get this squared away ASAP so I can make the Az run.
--Sean
Well, much to my suprise, when we pulled the axle out, the outer diff bearing fell apart and all the rollers dropped out. After pulling the bearing out, we discover 1/4 of the basket was blown out. Now I am really worried as to what the inside of the diff looks like (if anything made it in that far). So we duct taped up the hole and I drove home with no axle on the d-side. Hopefully that didn't damage the locker or the other axle and bearings.
So, until I get the RCD bracket in, I can't really drive the truck. I am going to go to Ford tommorrow and order the bearing. Does anyone know how much it would be to have someone press the bearing in to the housing while it is still on the truck? if not, what kind of tool would it take?
When I take the truck to RCD, I am going to take the cover off the diff when they remove it from the truck to examine to insides. I am praying that the pass side bearings aren't about to fail (I haven't had any problems with that side). Hopefully the R&P will be in good shape. If it isn't, I guess I can always leave the truck at RCD and bring the whole housing to a diff shop and have them do the R&P. If the R&P is messed up, I might as well do 4.56s now.
Anyone have any ideas or thoughts? Or advice? I am interested to hear anything at this point. I am kinda bummed out and really want to get this squared away ASAP so I can make the Az run.
--Sean
I learned that the hard way also. . .had a wheel actually fall of while driving, taking out my brake caliper bracket, hose, caliper and disc while it was at it. Luckily I felt it and was only doing a mile an hour when it did so, so I didn't tear up anything else.
I drove home the couple miles at regular speeds. It is amazing I didn't crash. The noises didn't start until a few blocks form my house, then my pedal went to the floor. Fortunately everything looks intact. The only visible damage is the wheel bearing and a gouge in the rotor surface (not too bad).
