Rear diff leak

[turboexplorer]

Can anyone tell if the friction disks are worn from these pictures? I think that it is and or is on its way out. You can see that there is different spacing between the tabs, and it looks like where the tabs are closer that you can see the disks and it there isn't much left of them on two. Unless they are supposed to be that way. Anyways if anyone can tell let me know? You can see the difference between the red and yellow arrows.

 

[4X4_mike]

I have a 91 ranger that has this exact problem, is it common for the 8.8 to have this leak? I have been searching here and other forums but have not seen any one with a ranger having this problem. can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks

 

[turboexplorer]

With the pinion seal leaking?

 

[4X4_mike]

yes, mine has started to leak pretty bad. i have read about alot of X's having the leak every 100-150 ish just wondered if this is common across all the rear diff's 8.8. i have also read that if that seal is to the point of leaking that you should replace the bearings also. just looking for some input. i ordered a bearing/seal kit from Randy's Ring and pinion so i may just replace everything while i am there. seems like quite the job though.

 

[turboexplorer]

My diff is still way tight and backlash and everything is perfect and the wear pattern is great. I just pulled the flange and replaced the seal and pulled the cover to visually inspect things and to check the wear pattern of the ring and pinion. Bearings are fine the seal was just wore out from use hell it went 95,000 miles and if you think about it. It went around (229,050,000 times)

2 pie R - 2*3.14*15.5 = 97.34inches /by 12 = 8.11 feet per turn of the tire. There is 5280 feet per mile so 5280/8.11 = 651.04 turns of the tire per mile! Times that by how many miles on the truck 651.04*94,321 = 61,407,506 Thats how many turns the tires have made on my truck when it started leaking. Now times that by the gear ratio mine is 3.73 and that is how many times the pinion has gone around because it turns 3.73 times per one turn of the axles/tires. So 61,407,506*3.73 = 229,050,000

That pinion has gone around 230 million times in the life of my truck that's insane and Its amazing how anything lasts that long on our trucks so even then think you got the money's worth out of that $15 seal Hahaha, just wanted to do that for fun Anyways my bearings were in great shape in the rear so just did the seal redoing all the bearings is NOT for someone doing it on their own for the first time. You have to reset the pinion preload the backlash by shimming the carrier etc its a really big job for someone never doing it before and it can cost you LOTS of money if done wrong. I dealer with all the perfect tools and knowledge charges like 6 hrs labor to do it.

 

[HahnsB2]

Never even thought about that, mine's gone around 414,000,000 times

 

[turboexplorer]

Haha Thats insane, amazing anything still works or can hold up for very long think of u joints and everything carzy Glad it does though!

 

[4X4_mike]

Well thanks for your input, sounds like something i dont want to takel on my own then. i have nothing that makes me suspect the bearings are bad and the seal will be alot cheaper then the entire kit i purchased so i think i will buy a new seal and toss this kit on the shelf or send it back. i have zero experience with this type of repair and am glad i didnt get it all torn apart only to find my skills would not allow me to finish the job. Thanks again!

 

[turboexplorer]

Yup thats the worst feeling having it torn apart to find you cant get it back together.

 

[Nebraska Ranger]

Rear seal leaking too!

I just wanted to Thank Everyone that posted on ths thread, this forum really has been a great help to me!