pinion bearing process

[powerranger262]

I think I have found what has been whining in the back of my truck. Sounds like the pinion bearing is getting really bad, had to go down the highway today, and that made it very angry. The hollow humming noise that I had now turned into a higher pitch squealing.
My question is, what is the process for pulling/replacing. Tackle it myself or take it in? Could this also be what is causing the back of my truck to wobble and shake all around while going down the road?

It's a 02 FX4. 94,000miles.

 

[alaskan155]

if you have experience with differental by all means tear it apart, if not you are going to need alot of special tools. a junkyard 8.8 for 250 tops (100 in some areas) from a 93+ ranger might be your best bet, unbolt the old, bolt the new, re bleed the brakes, and be on the road again.

if you can then an explorere 8.8 would be a good swap from a 95-01 disk brakes and a limited slip and 31-spline axles (vs 28 you have now) for the same price as above

 

[low_five]

I wouldnt mess with it... the guy above me is totally right, and on top of buying all the special tools, if you dont measure everything right, youll have another loud rearend, or one that will go bad rapidly.

 

[powerranger262]

Yeah, I'm liking the idea of just picking one up.

 

[ChrisR1S]

Yeah personally id replace it, and go for the explorer with the disks if you have the skills to do it. If not try and find another FX4 rear. Just be sure no matter what you do to keep the same gearing in the rear.

An since you have an FX4 rearend you do have 31 spline axles already. if you ask a decent price you can prob quickly and easily sell that rear to someone who has the means to repair it.