Stuck in Eureka, CA!

[MojoWorkin]

Differential is giving me the death rattle after losing an axle seal and I'm in a pickle.

Going to fix it sell it or tow it. Dont know yet. I put ads in Craigslist for a shade tree mechanic or to sell it. (Humboldt Craigslist)

Just putting it out into the world.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Death rattle?

What's wrong with it? Does it still have fluid?

 

[MojoWorkin]

When the leak seemed pretty bad, and I was concerned that the differential was getting too low, I filled it. The plug was covered in silver goo and had some nasty metal chunks. I got another 120 miles before I started feeling like I was driving with the e-brake on.

What's funny is if I let it cool, the drag goes away. But the sound doesn't . Groaning.

 

[RonD]

Look on your drivers door label for AXLE Code

Seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_codes.shtml
Since its a 4x4 you HAVE TO match the ratio

When you have the ratio you can go here: car-part.com
select calif
axle assembly rear w/housing
8.8"

9" brake drum here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attachments/drivetrain-tech-37/50970-rear-brake-drum-size-9651-4.jpg?dateline=1346709884
10" here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attachments/drivetrain-tech-37/50971-rear-brake-drum-size-18-9498.jpg?dateline=1346709884

Obvious difference, 9" has fins, 10" is smooth, so have a look at what you have now

You can use a 1993 to 2009 Ranger or Mazda B-series rear axle, its just wrench work, plug and play
I would plan on buying 4 new u-bolts but since its been lifted the ones in there now might be new enough to re-use

Locking differentials are better but cost more, you can use either

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Just another 240 miles and you could have been singing this...

 

[Dirtman]

Being trapped in California is one of my worst nightmares...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Being trapped in California is one of my worst nightmares...

But John Fogerty makes it sound so delightfully melancholy...

 

[MikeG]

He was probably stoned out his gourd at the time.....

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

He was probably stoned out his gourd at the time.....

Still hands-down best CCR tune ever put out there.




OP: you ate a bearing, not sure which. Overall, an 8.8 is not a difficult diff to rebuild, just seems more complicated than it actually is.

The shame of it is that a complete diff is typically under $150. May be worth looking into a uhaul to get er home.

 

[Jim Oaks]

You can likely find a used Ranger axle cheaper than paying someone to fix that one.

I've purposely avoided California. I'd never be stuck there. Even if I had to cross the desert on a horse with no name.

 

[MojoWorkin]

You don't know what you are missing. CA is delightful. My office today.

 

[MojoWorkin]

The axle code is R6


I had an idea though. In order to get home, am I nuts in considering dropping the driveline and putting it in four-wheel drive effectively making it front-wheel drive? I just got to get home.

 

[RonD]

You can but it wouldn't help, rear axle still need to turn, powered or unpowered

You could get a couple of the tow dollies for the rear wheels and do it that way, although you would probably get pulled over, lol

 

[Dirtman]

The only way driving in front wheel drive would help any is if you locked up the back wheels and dragged them on skis...

 

[Shran]

If you're gonna do front wheel drive... pull the rear axle apart, remove the ring gear and clean it out really well and reassemble. That way just the axle shafts spin freely.

I got my '88 from a towing company. They said that the previous owner had been driving it around in front wheel drive for YEARS. The rear driveshaft broke and he just removed it and kept on going. I believe it, the front end was trashed.