Rear End Replacement 1999 Explorer

[Arissett]

Alright so awhile ago my tire popped and I completely lost control of the truck. It spun into a curb and I went from 30 to 0. Took awhile to replace what was broken on this rust bucket especially since I’m learning about cars as something breaks. My issue is now my passenger rear wheel wobbles when I drive and it has been for months. I know it’s a safety hazard and now that’s getting colder out I want to replace my rear end before it gives out in the winter. I don’t know how to identify the axle. The tag on the diff is rusted off. I have the sticker from door jam but I’m clueless as to what 46 means. I also want to know what to expect going into this. I went under today to see how difficult or not difficult this could be. It doesn’t look that bad in all honesty but is there anything I should watch out for? Btw I have a 1999 Explorer XLT 5.0L V8 AWD.

 

[Blee1099]

axle 46 means you have a 3.73 open diff. Do you know if the housing is bent or maybe just the axle shaft? Shaft would be the easiest to replace once you open up the housing..

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Alright so awhile ago my tire popped and I completely lost control of the truck. It spun into a curb and I went from 30 to 0. Took awhile to replace what was broken on this rust bucket especially since I’m learning about cars as something breaks. My issue is now my passenger rear wheel wobbles when I drive and it has been for months. I know it’s a safety hazard and now that’s getting colder out I want to replace my rear end before it gives out in the winter. I don’t know how to identify the axle. The tag on the diff is rusted off. I have the sticker from door jam but I’m clueless as to what 46 means. I also want to know what to expect going into this. I went under today to see how difficult or not difficult this could be. It doesn’t look that bad in all honesty but is there anything I should watch out for? Btw I have a 1999 Explorer XLT 5.0L V8 AWD.

View attachment 434959

welcome to EF! ben is probably right. one could replace the whole assembly, but yes the shaft is easier to replace. if the housing is bent imo replace whole diff, lots of these out there so likely youll find another, though in ym experience most 373 diffs are LS, but thats not bad

 

[RangerX]

Maybe it’s just a bent wheel? Swap it out with the spare and see if the wobble is gone or not, before changing axles.

 

[Turdle]

If there is any amount of side to side movement of the caliper while the wheel is turning there is a bent axle shaft. Easy to replace in truck.