Bent Rear Axle

[IAmTodd]

Took the truck into Ford today for an alignment and to get the CVs checked out. I guess they had it on the lift with the wheels spinning and noticed the passanger side rear wheel was wobbling. So they swapped the rear wheels and it still continued to wobble. I've never noticed any vibration at speed(we're talking 80-90). The only thing is a slight pulsation in the brake peddle. Which could be from this. I took a couple videos of it, but I forget where I can upload them here Oh well.

 

[boominXplorer]

could easlily be a warped rotor and a burnt out L/S

 

[IAmTodd]

Causing the tire to wobble?

Here's the video:

http://www.explorerforum.com/files/9765/Wobble.wmv

 

[boominXplorer]

I bet your LS worn out enough to give alot of play and causing that to happen. The squeeking sounds like the wheel studs rubbing against the E-brake crap

 

[pj8847]

Being that you have the pulsation in the brake pedal AND the wobble of the tire, I'd say with a high degree of certainty that you do in fact have a bent axle.

I say this only because you have the two symptoms described above, where if it were just a warped rotor, you would feel the pedal pulse, yes, but the wheel would run straight due to the fact that the center, or hub of the rotor will still be straight as it is torqued down to the axle hub.

A worn LS would not exude the symptoms of brake pulsation and/or wheel wobble, UNLESS you have serious bearing issues and mechanical failure of the housing itself.

Chances are you might have bent it by sliding into a curb or rock or something of that nature. even possibly hitting a nasty bump.

To be undoubtably sure, put the rear up on jackstands or up on a lift and remove the tire, have a helper with you start the truck and put it in drive, and watch the axle hub, if its bent, you WILL see it wobble.

 

[IAmTodd]

To be undoubtably sure, put the rear up on jackstands or up on a lift and remove the tire, have a helper with you start the truck and put it in drive, and watch the axle hub, if its bent, you WILL see it wobble.

Thats what I'll be doing tonite. It could've been a bump(more like crator). For the year I've had it I've slid into nothing that I can remember

 

[pj8847]

possible previous owner/s slid into something on snow/mud/dirt..etc..

 

[IAmTodd]

Popped the rotor off tonite, ran it that way and the hub wobbles. Definetly bent axle. Off to the junk yard!

On a side note I took the rotor off and the e-brake pads fell apart So thats what I did all nite!

 

[pj8847]

Sorry to hear, at least it's not a major repair, good you found it now rather than later.

 

[gijoecam]

yeah, an axle shaft is a simple job. 12 screws on the cover, some RTV, and a new seal (since you're in there anyways) and a few quarts of gear lube and you should be back in business.

An hour, maybe two topps if you let the RTV set up on the cover before you fill it.

-Joe

 

[MONMIX]

Holy crap Todd that is wack !!!!!

 

[CDW6212R]

Todd, check the axle bearings very carefully. Look hard at the axle bearing surface. If the bearing doesn't feel perfect, or the axle shows wear, you should change the bearings also. Autozone now rents axle pulling tools, The tools also require a slide hammer, which they also have. Good luck,

 

[IAmTodd]

I plan to replace anything I possible can while I'm in there. Do I need an axle pulling tool? It sounds as if it SHOULD slide right out.

 

[CDW6212R]

The C-clips hold the axles in. The axle bearings are a bi$%* to remove without the right tool. Remember where the axle seals set before you remove them. New seals shouldn't be installed any deeper than the original, which is about flush with the outer housing. Good luck,

 

[frickea86]

well i hope everything goes well with the axle repair, if you need a hand, you knew who to call....