Rear Axle Wheel seal does not fit. 2001 Explorer, 5.0, AWD, EB, rear coil overs, 621E 8.8 inch axle.

[sitl1428]

I had a bad wheel seal on both wheels that destroyed the e brakes. Purchased new wheel seals but when I pulled the old ones out, they were totally different. No matter who i talk to , AutoZone, O'rielly, Napa, Ford, no one can find any other seals than the standard BRS40 (motorcraft) or 8835s (timken). My seals have an OD of 2.25 vs the ones everyone says fit at 2.575 OD. I don't know the history of the vehicle. but the axle tag and paper wrap tag match up to what ford pulled from my vin.
Does anyone have a part number? I'm out of options.

 

[410Fortune]

Somebody must have installed a small tube 7.5 rear axle from a ranger?????

Try timken seal 8660s

It shows for a ranger with a 7.5” ring gear.
Please post a pic of the rear axle under this explorer!
It could be some strange mis
Match from the factory or?

The 7.5” rear axle shows a seal that size
The 8.8 all have the 2.5” seal I had to go to a v6 ranger to find one size smaller
Something strange here

2000 FORD RANGER 3.0L V6 Wheel Seal | Shop Now at RockAuto

Brake & Wheel Hub Parts and More for Your 2000 FORD RANGER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

 

[sitl1428]

Somebody must have installed a small tube 7.5 rear axle from a ranger?????

Try timken seal 8660s

It shows for a ranger with a 7.5” ring gear.
Please post a pic of the rear axle under this explorer!
It could be some strange mis
Match from the factory or?

The 7.5” rear axle shows a seal that size
The 8.8 all have the 2.5” seal I had to go to a v6 ranger to find one size smaller
Something strange here

2000 FORD RANGER 3.0L V6 Wheel Seal | Shop Now at RockAuto

Brake & Wheel Hub Parts and More for Your 2000 FORD RANGER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

Unfortunately, even the 8660 is too big. It is very strange. I went to the parts store to verify with my eyes that both 8660s and the 8835s were wrong. The axle tubes are correct to the vehicle vin. The wrap matches on the passenger tube. I'm at a loss. Got a seal from an industrial supply store by sorta matching size but Id really like to have a ford oem part number to order before I get to it in the next week or two.

 

[sitl1428]

Here are some picture of the axle and seals

 

[Turdle]

Diff housing pics please?

Also, better angle pictures of axle u bolt perches on axle tubes please

Tags and cover can be switched

 

[sitl1428]

Diff housing pics please?

Also, better angle pictures of axle u bolt perches on axle tubes please

Tags and cover can be switched

I’ll try to take and post some more pictures tomorrow. Although possible, why would anyone switch the paper sticker tag on the axle tube?

 

[sitl1428]

Here are the axle/diff pictures.

 

[sitl1428]

Ok, sooo. Here is why they don’t fit. There is some sort of insert in the tube. Anyone know what or why this is?

 

[Turdle]

Ok that explains it. That's an old bearing outer sleeve,
Now, why it was rebuilt like that? Could be a wear line on the axle and the sleeve was left in to space the bearing in a bit further.

 

[Turdle]

I wonder if something like this was used

wheel bearing and seal kit ford 8.8 kwik sleeve - Broncograveyard.com

 

[sitl1428]

Ok that explains it. That's an old bearing outer sleeve,
Now, why it was rebuilt like that? Could be a wear line on the axle and the sleeve was left in to space the bearing in a bit further.

It appears from google to just be a weird oversized bearing. Probably comes with its own seal. Both sides had it. I’m guessing a moron did bearings in it and didn’t know much of anything. National bearings are $9! Nothing wrong with either side of the tube. I actually think the bearings were leaking since they didn’t have a seal other than a weird oring on the outside between the axle tube and the bearing.

 

[410Fortune]

Hahahaha yep no seal on that axle shaft but you were double bearing’d!!

 

[sitl1428]

Hahahaha yep no seal on that axle shaft but you were double bearing’d!!

There was only 1 bearing on each side they were just extra thick and took up the space where the normal seal would have gone. So they had a smaller seal that set inside. Here are picture to help explain

 

[Turdle]

Link posted earlier, again below, is what you have there. Note the smaller seal in the kit

wheel bearing and seal kit ford 8.8 kwik sleeve - Broncograveyard.com

The best quality Timken roller bearing with seal.br Replaces O.E. bearing and seal.br br Repair Package Bearings replace the original bearing and seal on axles which are still in good condition whose original bearing and/or seal contact paths are not suitable for continued use.br The extra-wide...

shop.broncograveyard.com

 

[Josh P]

Makes me wonder if there was an actual reason those bearings were used? The surface of the tube end in the picture above doesn't show any obvious sign of damage.

 

[Turdle]

How about a picture of the axle shaft bearing area please.

 

[410Fortune]

Very interesting Thanks for sharing if we ever come across this we will know what and why because of this thread

Why was it
Leaking? Seal fit the shaft properly? Poor install? A wider bearing could be better! Not necessary but shouldn’t hurt anything

 

[wollimann]

These bearings are so called "repair bearings", if the axle shafts has axial play these bearings are used to ride the bearing beside the original riding surface. Unfortunately the seals of this repair units are riding on a surface where rusty spots are present. So this rust will kill the seals very quickly. I have used this repair bearings one time, but never again. Even if you polished the rusty spots the seals will give up and differential oil will come out, spraying over brakes and tires.

Best way is to use new oem bearings/seals with new or good used shafts. There are different repair bearings on the market, sometimes they has two seals (inside and outside) like on this picture (centric 414.68000). Sometimes they has only one seal outside.
This double sealed bearings last for one year and all of these brake parts must be replaced.

While i was doing this job the center pin bolt was broken at the red line. Hate this little bolt.

 

[sitl1428]

Both of my axle shafts had very minor pitting, I’ve put it back together so I can’t take pictures. I used jd weld to fill in the pitting and sanded it flat. If it leaks, I’m planning to purchase either new or used shafts. They are about $115 each new.