475,000 mile F7 rear axle

[Paisano]

It's probably not a good idea to start dealing in false VINS since the purchase would be through my employer. I can still look for a junkyard assembly on car-parts.com and also on the first 2 days of my vacation.
(And yes, you may have noticed from another posting I am looking for a transfer case too. This is also a good opportunity to replace the rear stabilizer bar bushings which are almost gone)

Trust me, I am looking into resolving these repair issues every day. And I will be off work for 8 days in April. I better make good use of that time.

 

[Blmpkn]

I don't see why your employer would or should care, honestly. Buying an axle is buying an axle. Your not breaking the law.. your ensuring you can make it back and forth to work.

 

[Paisano]

I'll see about maybe talking to someone else at the manufacturer or one of my employer's stores regarding the VIN issue. There are potential complications with doing this.
It's very difficult reaching the manufacturer on the phone.

 

[Paisano]

Looking into a possible lead on a reman 8.8 with 4.10. Then I could match the front axle assembly if I ever wanted 4WD someday.

 

[Paisano]

I confirmed that I don't need to submit a VIN and year/make/model. I ordered a rear axle assembly about 10 days ago. Nobody asked me for payment. I have not heard anything back on this. I don't know what's going on. I'll ask about this on Monday.

 

[Paisano]

Hey guys,

The complete rear axle assembly I ordered has been rebuilt and is scheduled to ship tomorrow
8.8 ring gear
4.10 axle ratio
10 Inch drums

 

[Paisano]

This rebuilt rear axle assembly is sitting in my garage now. I have more vacation time at the beginning of June to get this done.

A few questions please:

1. I attached a couple photos here. What about these flange bolts with the ridges? What kind of socket do I use for that?

2. The other photo shows that clunky 'shoe horn' looking object at the leaf spring. Is that a riser block? Can I reuse it?

3. The disc-shaped axle companion flange on the new axle assembly is 5 inch diameter. Is that correct to mate with the
driveshaft flange?

 

[Blmpkn]

This rebuilt rear axle assembly is sitting in my garage now. I have more vacation time at the beginning of June to get this done.

A few questions please:

1. I attached a couple photos here. What about these flange bolts with the ridges? What kind of socket do I use for that?

2. The other photo shows that clunky 'shoe horn' looking object at the leaf spring. Is that a riser block? Can I reuse it?

3. The disc-shaped axle companion flange on the new axle assembly is 5 inch diameter. Is that correct to mate with the
driveshaft flange?

View attachment 76072 View attachment 76073

1- relatively sure that's just a 12 point bolt, so you'd need a 12 point socket.

2- riser block, yes. Reuse it unless you want that Carolina squat look.

3-unsure.

 

[Paisano]

Ok. Thanks.

I just crawled under the truck and measured the flanges. It's kind of hard to tell with the driveshaft yoke in the way.
But it appears to be right around 5 Inches, which should be a match. And the flange bolt hole to bolt hole distance of 3 inches, matches the rebuilt
axle assembly flange.

I also measured the current leaf spring U-Bolt length at 9 inches. I want to replace these. The part number link below should fit both old and new axle assemblies. But why does the part description say it won't fit Supercab if it's also 9 inch length? My 1992 Ranger is a Supercab.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/husky-spring/husky-spring-leaf-spring-axle-u-bolt-kit/hsk0/ua126rcsp/v/a/5519/automotive-truck-1992-ford-ranger?q=UA126RCSP&pos=0

 

[pjtoledo]

the horn part is what hits the bump stop. that's factory equipment.

 

[Paisano]

Ahhh........the makes sense about the horn part. Thanks

 

[superj]

thats weird that the ubolt says won't fit supercab. maybe one model has a larger rear end so the tube is thicker?

does your current axle tube and the new measure the same?

 

[Paisano]

That might be an error on that part description. The axle tube diameter should be the same for current and rebuilt axle assemblies. When I enter my truck details into the filter, it says it's compatible. But I will measure in the next couple days and respond.

 

[Paisano]

The axle tube actually has two diameters since it narrows slightly where the U-Bolts attach. I'm getting about 2-3/4 inch at that point (maybe 1/16 inch less) And it seems to match up with the new axle assembly diameter.
But I also measured the U-Bolt leg length incorrectly. I was not supposed to include the 'bend' in the length. So the length is shorter than 9 inches.
I am looking for Ford OEM U-Bolts anyway. Having some difficulty with that.



( I have aftermarket U-Bolts on order )

 

[Paisano]

This rear axle assembly came with the backing plates only. But no brake parts. So I have to install all the drum brake parts.
I already know to install drum brakes.

I had planned to install the drum brakes before I mount the axle assembly.......just to get that part out of the way
But then I thought this might not work out for this reason:

If I install all the drum brake hardware first, will I have trouble connecting the emergency brake cable at the end?
Because it will be cluttered inside the drum with all that hardware , with limited room for my hand.