Driveshaft play going into rear diff, Bearing in the rear diff?

[BillRod]

Hi All

89 Ranger, 2.9L V6, 5speed, 4x4, Manual Tcase, possibly limited slip in the rear.

I suddenly have a bad vibration coming from the rear end.
I looked under and shook the drive shaft and there is play where the input shaft goes into the diff.

Not sure what that bearing is called but how tough is it to replace?
Is it simple like wheel bearings?

Or is it the one that you need a micrometer and the crush sleeves or whatever?

If this is more than a simple bearing type install how much would it cost for a shop to replace it?

Thanks for any advice or input about this.
Bill

 

[351rangerxxx]

maybe the nut has just back off. take shaft down and try to tighten it. if the seal isn't leaking and you can tighten it take it off and lock tight it

 

[Doc44]

That happened to my 92 2wd. Ended up locking up the rear end going down the road. Cheapest way to fix is to swap out the rear end with one from a junk yard. That's what I did.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

There's supposed to be play....what that's called is backlash. Ford differentials tend to have a pretty big backlash compared to other make axles. It's normal to a certain extent...I'd vote that the ring gear is worn down so much that it's actually effecting the backlash(meshing of teeth) or it could be that pinion bearing. Do you hear it clunk?

Going for a junkyard axle won't necessarily fix the issue....it's a Ford axle issue. Your new axle may have it as well....

 

[BillRod]

There's supposed to be play....what that's called is backlash. Ford differentials tend to have a pretty big backlash compared to other make axles. It's normal to a certain extent...I'd vote that the ring gear is worn down so much that it's actually effecting the backlash(meshing of teeth) or it could be that pinion bearing. Do you hear it clunk?

Going for a junkyard axle won't necessarily fix the issue....it's a Ford axle issue. Your new axle may have it as well....

There was no Clunk or anything.

Just a sudden vibration.
I can grab the drive shaft and move it probably almost a quarter of an inch left to right, (probably up and down too) but not front to rear.

Also it vibrates at any speed above probably 10 - 15 mph and I don't think it changes between acelleration or decleration.

Bill

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

1/4" of rotation is very normal for a Ford axle.... 8.8's anyway. Alot of that could be freeplay with those spider gears in the diff too. Soooo many things add up to your condition. And again...all these are common Ranger Ford axle issues. I still vote pinion bearing and excessive ring gear wear.

 

[Doc44]

if it has play up or down or side to side most likely pinion bearing. check close to make sure the play isn't in the u joint. play while turning is no big deal but up and down is not good.

 

[BillRod]

Yeah it is side to side in the input shaft going into the diff.
Not rotational play and not in the ujoints.

Any idea how tough it is to replace the Pinion bearing?
I have heard they're kinda tough so I'm not sure I can do that.

Any idea what it would cost for a shop to do that?

Thanks
Bill

 

[BillRod]

Turns out it was just the nut coming loose.

Now I just gotta find the noise coming from the front right.....
But that's another post...

Thanks
Bill

 

[351rangerxxx]

glad to hear not a major thing

 

[WNY964x4]

i have a similar problem with my truck , i get a slight vibration above 40 or so , i hear a slight clunk , and i can turn the drive shaft about an eighth of a turn , truck is a 97 4x4 5 speed 8.8 open with 130k

 

[351rangerxxx]

the 1/8th of a turn in the driveshaft isn't a problem its up and down play. have you balance your tires lately?

 

[Zachalanche]

Turns out it was just the nut coming loose.

Now I just gotta find the noise coming from the front right.....
But that's another post...

Thanks
Bill

keep an eye on that. I had the same issues on my 89. I re tightened the pinioin nut a couple of times but it finally got to a point where there was a lot of play and the nut could not be tightened anymore. I eventually swaped in an 8.8 so I never saw my 7.5 fail, but i did put about 20,000 miles on it with the exact play you described and it was getting pretty sloppy toward the end.

 

[rickcdewitt]

torque wrench to set the pinion bearing preload at the least. to do it right you also remove the pinion gear and inspect the bearings then use a new crush sleeve or shim the old one so it will crush properly when the nut is tightened.there is no torque spec for the nut, youjust tightening the nut is a big no no. you need to remove the carrier and use an inch pound have to go until the bearings are tightened to spec.

 

[WNY964x4]

the 1/8th of a turn in the driveshaft isn't a problem its up and down play. have you balance your tires lately?

i just bought the truck 2 days ago