Axle shaft!?!

[Mettler]

Ok, so I have a 91 sport. Shes pretty much bone stock. I'm having the most frustrating problem with this damn wobble that wont go away! I've isolated it to the left rear. I started with new drums, then I had those turned. Then I rotated the wheels, (several times) then I replaced the axle shafts.
I went to the junk yard for those.
I got them from a 94 sport with the same trac lok rear end (axle code D4) but it had discs. No matter, they fit and were in decent shape for 40 bucks for the pair.
Still with the wobble!!
What are the odds that it would still have the same wobble?!? It wags the whole rear end side to side when driving slow or braking. I took the truck to the tire shop to have the wheels re-balanced and they said they were spot on. Rims and tires. So now I head over to O'Rieleys and ask about brand new shafts they say they only offer the left side and its $169!!! Does anyone know where I can get a decent shaft that doesn't cost me my right ********?
Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Spook]

Side to side? Maybe a bad axle mounting point, shock, spring or shackle? Just a guess but it sounds like you covered all the vertical/out of balance possibilities.

 

[Mettler]

Its not suspension related. With the rear end in the air on jack stands, and the front wheels chocked. Drop it in gear and watch the left rear, you can see it wobble. I've never hit a curb, ever. And this was happening before I changed the axles too. The rims are straight.
After I posted last night I did some more searching on the old interweb. I had watched Ian, on xtream 4x4 do a 9" bearing retainer swap on an 8.8 for a cheap jeep project. The supplier for the parts was Superior Axle and Gear. That kit was like 700 bucks but you get new axles and the bearings and their retainers. Cool kit but not what I'm looking for. They do sell just the axles individually at $143 per side. I think that's what I'm gonna do.

Here's the link if anyone else is interested in the 9" bearing retainer swap,

http://www.superioraxlegear.com/adv...F&osCsid=kdr7g0pmfopc86anpm5064k3j6&x=82&y=14

And just the axle shaft,

http://www.superioraxlegear.com/pa5763-rear-axle-shaft-ford-explorer-mazda-navajo-p-14362.html

 

[4x4junkie]

Try swapping the rear wheels side-side. If the left side still wobbles, then you've suffered the misfortune of getting another bent shaft from the junkyard (it happens sometimes, I had to deal with this once myself). They should gladly exchange it for a good one if they're decent.

If the wobble moves to the right side however, then you have a bent wheel.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Have you checked your rear wheel bearings? maybe that side is going out and is showing some concentric play.

I'll be bringing my parts rig from Onalaska to Mt Vernon this weekend and for a small price you can swap in a whole axle. I think it's 3.73 LS but will confirm when we load it up if you're interested.

 

[Mettler]

So I'm reviving a long dead post for a long over due update.
I've finally discovered what my wobble was.
Bad wheel bearings.
After doing everything else I finally decided to change the wheel bearings. They didn't howl or grind or make any strange noises just a wobble. Got a closer look at the end play and in my opinion, it had too much. So I changed it. All wobble is gone and I'm kicking myself for not doing it three years ago.

 

[arco777]

Thank you for posting an update!

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Do I get a cookie?

Glad you found it.

 

[Mettler]

It took me 3 days to do it. I bought "all-in-one" bearing and seals and when I put the drivers side in something went wonky. I couldn't get the axle shaft back in. So I had to take the new bearing out. Destroyed it. 27 bucks down the drain. I also broke 3 different snap-on slide hammer bits trying to get it out. I ended up using a sawzall with a carbide blade and cut it out. That took like 2 hours. Finally froze the new bearing and heated the crap out of the housing. 4 taps and the new bearing slid right in. Took my whole 3 day weekend. I also pulled the rotors off and had them turned at the same time. So re-assemble the front end too. Im just happy its done.