I personally have installed two pairs of differental side bearings in my 2001 sport w/8.8" 3.73 rear end. I have also replaced a couple of outer wheel bearings. I think this is total crap on fomoco's part. The truck had a bearing howling when I bought it used @ 67,000 miles so I thought no problem, I'm a mechanic, I'll fix it for cheap......now after I installed the bearings this last time, I have noise again after only a few thousand miles. I am not a shadetree. I grew up learning from dad, a journeyman mechanic of over 45years experience, and I am also a journeyman mechanic, not a novice(which can;t always be said for the techs at ford dealerships/some of them, not all or even most). I can't believe ford hasn't been sued over this, or maybe they have, who knows. Back to you, I don't think it is too unreasonable to expect a major driveline part to last 200,000 miles without major reapir work. Basic fluid changes should be all that is required. My Sport is touted to have a rear differential fluid change interval of 100,000 miles. I've changed it several times now with each new set of bearings and that's nowhere near 100k! I was raised to buy American, and I do, but I am beginning to question why we should support American companies who clearly sell inferior/substandard vehicals.
p.s. my 1995 bronco had rearend problems too. shows how smart I am to buy another ford.
