turboexplorer
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- August 23, 2008
- Messages
- 1,922
- Reaction score
- 41
- City, State
- Eagle Mountain, UT
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98' XLT 5.0L 4X4
- Callsign
- Turbo
Anyone that,s has read some of my threads know that I have been chasing a grumble in the front end of my truck for far to long. My truck is a 98 5.0L originally AWD but now has a part time 4406 T-Case. Lots have led up to where I am so to quick catch up on the truck here you go. I have replaced both wheel bearings (Timken OEM) Both half shafts (Auto Zone crap shafts) And can pull the front drive line that lets the T-Case sit still and it doesn't change so no front drive line or T_case problems. Ford has looked at it to no avail. So I went to Salt Lake to the shop I worked for for 3 years. Ran it on a lift and determined it was coming from the right outer axle bearing. Its the thin needle bearing one for those of you that know which one I am talking about. You can put a stethoscope on the axle tube and you can hear and feel with your hand the exact grumble that you can through the floor while driving. So the front Diff was pulled and fully rebuilt all bearings and seals! Also bought some great CV's that are (Great EMPI shafts). Put the diff back in last Friday and the problem is still there go figure after ever part has been replaced. But today I had it on the jack stands and was running it slow of course doesn't take much to get it to do it. Same thing feel it in the tube right at that bearing, note: axle shaft and bearing that came out during rebuild where in great condition where they wear against each other. So today I got the idea to put a rag on my hand and put it on the spinning CV (again only rolling at like 10 MPH) I pushed up a little while feeling the grumble in the tube and BINGO The grumble went away!!!!! I have now found the problem here is a pic of where I am talking about and the colors of the pic will be described below the pic as to what it is doing.
Red box is roughly where the bearing is. Yellow is the shaft that goes through that bearing. Light blue is where I would push up on the spinning CV, gently barely takes any pressure to get it to stop. Now you can see what I am talking about on where I pushed up and where the tube and bearing is.
Sorry for the length of this but bear with me I'm trying to explain fully. Next pic is also described below the pic.
I can grab the inner CV housing and I can wiggle it up and down. The shaft I believe does not move on that thin torrington bearing(checked when putting diff back together) So again light blue shows where you can push and green shows the movement of the CV housing. So if you look at the pic you can see it more of rocks back and forth some or up and down rather. Double that of the other side. Remember the driver side is a male style CV housing the Passenger this side we are looking at is a female style the axle shaft goes into to CV housing. The Orange is the axle and the Purple is the part of the CV housing that the axle shaft goes into. There is normal splines that hold the two together.
So here is what I think my problem is, The splines that match from the axle to the CV have play in them. That is why you can rock it little more than should be normal. So instead of the splines holding firm there is some slop in them and the splines are more of rolling on one another? Does that make sense? Ummm.... one more pic to show. Look back at pic 2 and you see my drawing on how the CV part holds tight to the Axle? Look at this next one and will kinda show you what I am trying to describe.
That an exaggeration of course but you get the idea. That is where I think I am getting my grumble. That is why when you lift that housing barely so the its not sagging per say on the axle it goes away!
So hit me back with what you think spent some time in the Ford dealer talking to techs today none have really seen it happen but none say its not it and that it makes sense and is the only think that hasn't been replaced. Or addressed. I think I remember the nose of the axle being beat up a little but thought it from being apart so may times. Anyways write with what you think and again sorry for the length had to make sure I explained it right.
Red box is roughly where the bearing is. Yellow is the shaft that goes through that bearing. Light blue is where I would push up on the spinning CV, gently barely takes any pressure to get it to stop. Now you can see what I am talking about on where I pushed up and where the tube and bearing is.
Sorry for the length of this but bear with me I'm trying to explain fully. Next pic is also described below the pic.
I can grab the inner CV housing and I can wiggle it up and down. The shaft I believe does not move on that thin torrington bearing(checked when putting diff back together) So again light blue shows where you can push and green shows the movement of the CV housing. So if you look at the pic you can see it more of rocks back and forth some or up and down rather. Double that of the other side. Remember the driver side is a male style CV housing the Passenger this side we are looking at is a female style the axle shaft goes into to CV housing. The Orange is the axle and the Purple is the part of the CV housing that the axle shaft goes into. There is normal splines that hold the two together.
So here is what I think my problem is, The splines that match from the axle to the CV have play in them. That is why you can rock it little more than should be normal. So instead of the splines holding firm there is some slop in them and the splines are more of rolling on one another? Does that make sense? Ummm.... one more pic to show. Look back at pic 2 and you see my drawing on how the CV part holds tight to the Axle? Look at this next one and will kinda show you what I am trying to describe.
That an exaggeration of course but you get the idea. That is where I think I am getting my grumble. That is why when you lift that housing barely so the its not sagging per say on the axle it goes away!
So hit me back with what you think spent some time in the Ford dealer talking to techs today none have really seen it happen but none say its not it and that it makes sense and is the only think that hasn't been replaced. Or addressed. I think I remember the nose of the axle being beat up a little but thought it from being apart so may times. Anyways write with what you think and again sorry for the length had to make sure I explained it right.
KFX400 great condition from my best friends wife! Anyways so just need the truck for pulling and things now. So am debating on always being annoyed or just make it 2WD and be happy and get my off road kicks with the quads? Ummm....
