Bent the wheel or axle

[That_4.0_ranger]

Well tonight I was out have some fun in the snow sliding around in a empty parking lot and went to close to the edge and hit a curb kinda hard and now I got a wheel with a wobble just figured I bent the wheel but on the drive home I have hear the break pad rubbing on the drum so I’m wondering if it’s still just the wheel or if I bent the axle shaft also don’t know if this matters but I have inch and a half spacers in the rearhttps://youtube.com/shorts/S7srFqFJXEU?si=34HJo8oC1pvvTMDg

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you have aluminum wheels it would be more likely to be a bent shaft plus with brake noise that points that way too... I don't have jack for internet so I don't watch many videos but maybe later...

 

[That_4.0_ranger]

If you have aluminum wheels it would be more likely to be a bent shaft plus with brake noise that points that way too... I don't have jack for internet so I don't watch many videos but maybe later...

If it is a shaft the parts stores are saying the 7.5 and the 8.8 share the same shaft is that true or just the parts store being wrong

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If it is a shaft the parts stores are saying the 7.5 and the 8.8 share the same shaft is that true or just the parts store being wrong

On a ranger thats true. They both run 28 spline axles, the only difference being the 8.8 has a bigger ring gear.

The explorer 8.8's run a 31 spline.

I cant believe you would bend an axle shaft like that though without bending the rim first. Unless you bent both.

 

[19Walt93]

Take the drum off, stick a dial indicator against the flange and measure the runout before just buying an axle. Once you know the flange is true you can put the wheel on and rotate it to check for runout. Throwing parts without knowing can get expensive fast.

 

[Curious Hound]

I believe passenger side shaft and driver side shaft are different lengths.

 

[don4331]

I believe passenger side shaft and driver side shaft are different lengths.

Passenger's side 27-1/4"; Driver's side 30-1/8" for '91 to '08. '09-11 might be the same length, but they have tone ring at the axle end, so fit slightly different (If you get the tone ring off, they are probably the same.)

Ford 7.5-Inch Rear Axle History & Specs - The Ranger Station

Usage: The Ford 7.5-Inch axle came in a few different vehicles including the: Ford Aerostar (1985-1997) Ford Bronco II (1984-1990) Ford Mustang (1979-2011) Ford Ranger (1983-2011) For the purpose of this article, we’re only going to discuss the Ford Ranger … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[pjtoledo]

Passenger's side 27-1/4"; Driver's side 30-1/8" for '91 to '08. '09-11 might be the same length, but they have tone ring at the axle end, so fit slightly different (If you get the tone ring off, they are probably the same.)

Ford 7.5-Inch Rear Axle History & Specs - The Ranger Station

Usage: The Ford 7.5-Inch axle came in a few different vehicles including the: Ford Aerostar (1985-1997) Ford Bronco II (1984-1990) Ford Mustang (1979-2011) Ford Ranger (1983-2011) For the purpose of this article, we’re only going to discuss the Ford Ranger … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

the 2010/2011 are about 1/4 or 3/16 shorter, referring to a 1994, both sides.
the bearings are bigger too, so won't fit a 1991.

curbs can indeed bent axle shafts. my wiffie proved that on our 2000 many years ago.

 

[That_4.0_ranger]

Welll I have a spare wheel also that I gonna go throw on really quick and I’ll see if it’s the wheel or the shaft also I do not have a dial indicator I really need to get one though

 

[19Walt93]

With the drum removed just put a jack stand real near the flange and rotate the wheel slowly while watching the gap between the stand and the flange. If it's a severe vibration you'll be able to see the flange wobble. My Chinese indicator was about $15 a few years ago, I don't use it often but nothing else will do the job when I need accuracy.

 

[That_4.0_ranger]

Okay little update I still don’t have a dial indicator but I replaced the axle and after putting it back together with the drum on and the spacer on to hold the drum in place and still when I put it in gear the it looks like the end of the axle is bent but the one I put in I know for a fact is straight any ideas?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Check the runout of the axle flange... no drum or adapter.

 

[That_4.0_ranger]

Check the runout of the axle flange... no drum or adapter.

I decided to try taking the drum off to rule it out an the axle hub it’s straight so I wanted to check everything else and with my spacer on and the tire no wobble so something must be wrong with the drum

 

[sgtsandman]

I decided to try taking the drum off to rule it out an the axle hub it’s straight so I wanted to check everything else and with my spacer on and the tire no wobble so something must be wrong with the drum

A bent drum is a possibility now that the axle shaft is out of the way. Try just the drum. If it checks, then the spacer. It is possible that both the drum and the spacer is bent since most spacers are made from aluminum.

 

[That_4.0_ranger]

A bent drum is a possibility now that the axle shaft is out of the way. Try just the drum. If it checks, then the spacer. It is possible that both the drum and the spacer is bent since most spacers are made from aluminum.

I forgot I had a parts truck just laying around lol so I pulled a drum of it and put it on and everything is working as it should no more wobble