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Noob Questions, 2002 Explorer IRS Issues

pac1373

New Member
Joined
June 7, 2014
Messages
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City, State
New Brunswick
Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 Explorer
Hey all, I amNew to the Explorer, and the forum. My name is Patrick and I need a bit of "expert advice".

I have a vibration that grows louder as I get to 80-100 km/h
it seems to be ok with light/part throttle cruising on the HWY, but gets loud getting to cruising speed AND when I let off the gas.

to complicate things, my front drivers tire has developed a nasty scallop on the inner most tread blocks that "may" account for the vibration.

BACKGROUND INFO;

truck was making a horrible "Clunk" when shifting into gear, so...
I recently spent an unpleasant 2 days laying on my back replacing the IRS front isolation bushing (the vertical one at the front of the 8.8 housing,it was a horrible job and the new bushing is still about 3/8" from being totally seated. there is no way I can tell to get it any further )

during this "repair", placing a jack under the "pumpkin" and moving things around trying to seat the bushing etc, I made what I think was a small front pinion seal leak into what seems like a bigger front pinion seal leak. it did remedy the clunk though.

I drained and changed oil and...it now seems to leak really bad, and I had gear oil mist on the back hatch when I arrived home the other day.

I may be psyching myself out a bit and over reacting to some bad press I have read regarding some 8.8 issues (and trans issues, and computer Issues,and t-case issues...etc you get the point) but I need to figure out what to replace, as always, budget is a concern.

I guess the big questions are;

1)how likely is it that the rear diff is causing the vibration and destroying itself?

2)should I do a pinion seal and hope for the best, or try to find a Used Diff and swap the whole deal?

3)is there an easy swap upgrade to this if it is the diff?

I spent a couple of hours searching and was unable to find the info, thanks for the help in advance all,

Patrick
 






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