03 Level 2 rear-end humming...

[Arctic_LII]

So I bought my truck with 42k miles, at 70k, I started hearing a humming sound from my rear-end when it is under load. I did a brake inspection and found a right rear axle leak. Replaced both axle seals and fluid with redline, plus the friction modifier. The rear-end was full of water when I pulled the cover... After that many miles full of milky fluid, what would cause the humming when the rear is under load? I'm thinking gears, or carrier bearings, but want to be sure. Anyone ever dealt with this before?

 

[Downey]

sounds like the bearings to me

 

[Arctic_LII]

Thanks, Downey! Is it possible to put in carrier bearings without re-shimming the gears. I'm kinda lost when it comes to diffs... Basically, can I just throw in new bearings is what I'm asking?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Should just be able to change the bearings on the carrier and run it. Usually bad bearings are on the pinion though it seems. This will require a new crush sleeve and the pinion bearing pre-load to be set.

 

[Arctic_LII]

So what you guys are saying is my gears should be fine... I'm thinking I want to put in a actual locker if I'm going that deep, does that require any special tools or knowledge? When I pulled my axles to put in the seals, everything looked pretty straight forward, but someone told me to take it to a shop for the locker. Thanks, guys.

 

[powerranger262]

Mine made a humming noise also, now it looks like this.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Yes let's not forget the Torsen itself is known to fail.

So what you guys are saying is my gears should be fine... I'm thinking I want to put in a actual locker if I'm going that deep, does that require any special tools or knowledge? When I pulled my axles to put in the seals, everything looked pretty straight forward, but someone told me to take it to a shop for the locker. Thanks, guys.

Well since you cannot put a lunchbox locker in a Torsen unit, the whole carrier is replaced (Detroit or ARB), pinion depth does not change but the carrier shims will probably need to be changed for proper backlash and carrier bearing pre-load.

 

[Arctic_LII]

Mine made a humming noise also, now it looks like this.

Wow, that looks terrible! What caused the carrier to crack like that? How many miles on it?

 

[powerranger262]

What caused the carrier to crack like that?

Well, it sure isn't from an automatic putting out enough torque to snap it or they would have recalled it like the manuals, right FORD?

It had about 85,000 on it when it did this. Found another axle at my JY and rolled it under. When that junk breaks it's bye-bye Ranger, hello 1 fiddy.

 

[Arctic_LII]

Yeah, been eye-ballin' the new eco-boost... An engine smaller than the Ranger's, yet puts out twice the power with better mpg's. With six bolt mains, I'm hoping it will be a good one!