Ring and Pinion

[kai34]

Found out that my noise was the ring and pinion. What info do I need to know to look up what I need to get to replace mine? I don't want to change anything, just get something that is the same as OEM, or get used OEM. Anyone bought the ring and pinion off of junk Explorer? Is that all that is needed or do I need a new back end? (I was told I might as well get a new back end)

Thanks guys.

 

[safn1949]

Found out that my noise was the ring and pinion. What info do I need to know to look up what I need to get to replace mine? I don't want to change anything, just get something that is the same as OEM, or get used OEM. Anyone bought the ring and pinion off of junk Explorer? Is that all that is needed or do I need a new back end? (I was told I might as well get a new back end)

Thanks guys.

It's a lot easier to switch a used rearend out of a wreck if you can find a good one.A ring and pinion replace is a tedious job and must be done right,it also will involve the cost of bearings and an install kit.The pinion bearings must be pressed on and the backlash set,etc,etc.

So price it both ways but I wouldn't install a used ring and pinion for the price of a new one.

 

[kai34]

Thanks for the info.

When you say you wouldn't install a used ring and pinion for the the price of a new one, are you saying that it is better to get a new one if I am not doing the whole rear end?

 

[Afboy143]

what kind of noise were you experiencing?

 

[kai34]

The best way I know to explain it is a spinning, whining. Between 35-57 it is the loudest, and it is much louder when the accelerator is down than not. With the accelerator barley pushed there is a grinding noise.

 

[gmanpaint]

Swap the rear end complete for about $150-$200. Swap your brakes over if they are good or install new. Might as well install new axle seals ($5/ea) too. Use a new carrier pin bolt($3) and throw away the old one when doing the seal replacement.

Use car-part.com to locate the rear end axle assembly.

Locate the gear ratio on the door tag under axle. Look in here for what the code represents.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239360


Replacing gears will cost you big bucks. Gears and master install kit can run $350 for one axle. Professional installation can run between $250-$500 per axle. This is a no brainer here.

 

[kai34]

Yeah my shop suggested doing the entire rear end. I'll check the link out, thanks a lot.

 

[IZwack]

Swapping out the axle for one from a junk yard is probably the cheapest solution. However, the junk yard axle includes risks and a few thousand miles down the road, you could be witnessing the same problems again. So I guess its your call, just be aware of the risks

 

[kai34]

Is it really even worth it? Will it do anything other than make an annoying noise?

 

[imp]

Rear (or front) gear noise is often the result of misalignment between the ring & pinion, caused by failing bearings on either. The gear noise is often loud enough to easily overshadow noise made by the bad bearing(s), which is often interptreted by the repair place as a need to replace the gears.

Unless the misalignment is severe enough to damage the gear teeth surfaces (easily discernible if the cover plate is removed and the teeth inspected), replacing the bearing(s) should be the better way to go, IMHO, since buying stuff out of a bone yard guarantees NOTHING about their suitability for use.

As an example, I cite the guy who sold me an engine when I was a "green" teenager: "Guaranteed to be free of cracks or knocks, or we will give you another one". Fine. I slave off my ass to install a used engine, find it's no good, then repeat the process again 2 more times, to get another possible piece of junk in place?? No, thanks, sir! imp

 

[gmanpaint]

There are other sources besides a junk yard for a used rear axle. Try your local papers, and even Craigs list for part outs from roll overs. Heck you might know someone who has a donor rig for you.

 

[kai34]

I will be looking around. I have an appointment for another guy to buy it tomorrow, if I can make a few hundred on it then it is gone and I will find something else before winter. If I do keep it how will I know if the sound is because of bearing or not. I do know there is a metal grinding sound right as the accelerator goes down, but then it is the whining sound only.

 

[imp]

........ If I do keep it how will I know if the sound is because of bearing or not.

Remove the center section's cover plate, wipe a number of ring gear teeth nice & clean, look closely at their surfaces. If the driving surfaces of the gear have a nice, mirror-like finish, shiny, not gray or discolored, or rough-looking, the gears are OK.

It is a good idea to raise both wheels off the ground, in order to turn the driveshaft by hand, and visually inspect ALL the teeth on the ring gear. Have someone turn the shaft while you inspect the teeth.....imp

 

[kai34]

Thanks, great info.