2002 8.8

[red02]

Hi everybody im new to the site and im looking for information on my axle. i have a 2002 fx4 8.8" 31 spline torsen ls. my ranger has 101000 miles. i was told at the tire shop that the rear axle shafts have grooves and im still dealing with the leak from the factory. i have taken it in on recall but that did not help. ive read some posts and looked in the tech library. i hardly had any luck on my search. i was wondering if it would be better off swapping in an axle form a explorer or working on the one thats already in it. i dont off road much and when i do its mildly. and i am also searching for a replacement front driveshaft. ive tough about going with the superlift shaft but not sure if it will work at stock height. any help will be appriciated.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

Do you have a manual transmission? Ford recalled early 2002 FX4 models with manual transmissions for the rear torsen blowing up. Might have that looked at...

You took it in on recall....for what??? a leak? umm...no recalls get issued for leaks....

What's leaking? WHERE is it leaking???? Pinion seal? Axle seal? Diff cover seal??

Why do you need a new front shaft?? Stock shaft on a stock truck should last well into the 150k range. Superlift shaft does work on a unlifted truck. Will last alot longer than the stock unit as well.


Expo change...well....go ahead if you want to. You've basically got that exact axle under your truck right now, but it just doesn't have disc brakes. You'll need to flip the perches, weld on shock tabs, and deal with the e-brake cables.

My whole thing is.....if its just a leaky seal....why in god's name are you wanting to swap the axle out? You've already got a 31spline in it. Expo brakes BOLT RIGHT TO IT.

Shafts have grooves? where? where on the axle shaft is it 'grooved'? I'm willing to bet its a BS claim and they're just trying to make money off you.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I would assume it's an axle seal seeing how he says the shaft(s) are grooved where they ride on the bearing(s) wiping out the seal, it's a fairly common 8.8 thing.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yea i've seen a couple 8.8's with chewed up bearing surfaces. You are able to get a repair bearing that actually rides on a different part of the shaft so that its not riding on the worn part. It has a seal built into it and everything. Just an option instead of replacing the entire rear end or buying 2 new 31 spline shafts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You can get a speedi-sleeve kit too, a sleeve that goes over the grooved shaft and a oversized seal to seal on the sleeve. That is if it is just where the seal has worn a groove in your axle shaft.