Rear 3/4 Axle Interchange

[delaware74b]

My wife's '04 Explorer 4x4 (145K miles) has a bad left rear bearing/hub. I am unable to remove the axle stub from the bearing due to rust. I have tried PB, Kroil, and heat. Frozen solid to hub. I seriously doubt this can be separated from the hub without damaging the cv joint. The right rear side was an easy job at 3.5 hours (1.5 fighting with swapping the parking brakes) complete with Moog knuckle, brake pads and rotor.

I have the Moog knuckle assembly for this side. I'll be getting a new lateral toe link bar as the flag is rust off at the center at the vehicle and the nut just spins (recip saw to cut through it).

All the parts vendors have the axle with the tone rings for traction control at the hub. My Explorer has only the sensor at the differential. Local stealership wants $400 for this axle that doesn't have the tone ring. I can buy one from rock for less than $100 but they all have the tone ring. Bottom line: is there a difference other than the tone ring between these axles? Ford's current part number for my vehicle is 1L2Z-4K139-CB (without tone ring). The more popular one is 1L2Z-4K139-B (with tone ring). The knuckle assemblies are the same for either model according to Moog as it has the mount for the sensor that I'm not using.

I can't see spending $300 at the dealership for an axle that doesn't have the tone ring if that's the only difference.

 

[Joe in NY]

Go to NAPA and buy a reman unit. Good quality! The tone ring will go in fine though. I bought a reman from napa and new from rock auto. The new is a cheesy chinese unit that is severely lower duty and quality than the reman.

 

[boominXplorer]

The axle with a tone ring will fit non Advance-Trac trucks. The knuckles are the same, just drilled on the back to accept the sensor.

 

[delaware74b]

@ Boomin and Joe, Thanx. I was leaning toward the new vs reman at Napa so I don't end up eating the $56 core charge. I doubt the cv axle will be 'suitable for rebuild' if I attempt to remove it from the knuckle. I plan to pull everything as a unit and replace with new parts.

I figured the axles would swap in my situation, the tone ring not being a real problem.