conflicted with Diff issues

[mookinator1313]

I have a 99 4x4 on stock tires, 3.0, 5 speed with a 7.5 rear, i dont do any off roading or anything crazy, just the occasional fun on a rainy day to and from work (maybe 15 minutes)

I chewed the spiders up around a year and a half ago. I threw in a new pair sealed it up, filled it and off i went. About a year later, i ran into the same issue, but this time there was a bit more damage to the side gears. So i replaced them and also used all new clutch packs, put it together and it was great... much smoother and tighter. Now here i am again with the same basic issue of what feels like spiders chipping themselves to pieces when i go around a corner, parking lots are a major concern right now

Im trying to decide if it would be better to upgrade to an 8.8 or if something like the powertrax no slip system would work better for what i do with the truck

any advice, and experience would be greatly appreciated

thanks

 

[bobbywalter]

your axle is bent or you drive like i do.


8.8 for sure at a minimum. preferably mod and install an explorer 31 sploine unit.

 

[RangerSVT]

Have you checked the tolerances or the spider gears? It's possible the carrier is worn giving excessive tolerances and making the gears contact at a less than optimal pattern, causing premature failure. Also, as Bobby stated, you might have bent shafts. With both wheels on jack stands, transmission in park or 1st, have a buddy turn the tire, direction doesn't matter, and inspect the spider gears as they are turned. If you see any movement, up/down/front/back, then you have bent shaft, both are bent if both spider gears move. Explorer 8.8s are in every junkyard, and are a cheap great upgrade, now would be a good time...

SVT

 

[bobbywalter]

i was referring to the axle housing as well

 

[RangerSVT]

Good point Bobby. Do you carry loads in your truck, tow a trailer or have jumped it/travel rough roads? This would cause the bent housing as Bobby suggests....


SVT

 

[tmcalavy]

Well, I would say you've done your due diligence with the diff you have...as others has said, ditch that one and find a decent, used 8-inch diff from the boneyard. I replaced my stock 7.5 with 3.45 ratio with another 7.5 and 3.73 ratio for $150, plus $150 for a trusted garage to make the swap...haven't done the speedo gear change yet, that's still to come if I ever get serious about it.

 

[hdmm]

I have a 99 4x4 on stock tires, 3.0, 5 speed with a 7.5 rear, i dont do any off roading or anything crazy, just the occasional fun on a rainy day to and from work (maybe 15 minutes)

I chewed the spiders up around a year and a half ago. I threw in a new pair sealed it up, filled it and off i went. About a year later, i ran into the same issue, but this time there was a bit more damage to the side gears. So i replaced them and also used all new clutch packs, put it together and it was great... much smoother and tighter. Now here i am again with the same basic issue of what feels like spiders chipping themselves to pieces when i go around a corner, parking lots are a major concern right now

Im trying to decide if it would be better to upgrade to an 8.8 or if something like the powertrax no slip system would work better for what i do with the truck

any advice, and experience would be greatly appreciated

thanks

Throw a 8.8 in it out of another Ranger, easiest, quickest and cheapest route.

 

[mookinator1313]

Thanks for the advice everyone, the housing, ring and pinion have 172k miles, so id say I got my use out of it (80k since I bought the truck). I'm going to begin the hopefully short hunt for an 8.8 with 10 inch drums and a limited slip as it is a direct swap (correct?) I have 10 inch drums now as well