Rear axle seal on 2011 Ranger

[jhetcel23]

Hello, I am struggling to find a replacement rear axle bearing seal for my 2011 Ranger XLT, 6cyl, 4wd. It has a 8.8 rear end w/ disc brakes. I am in process of replacing the bearing and seal and cannot find the correct seal at any local auto parts store or online. The replacement bearing is national 6408. The shaft diameter where the seal seats is 1.62 OD measured with my calipers, the axle shaft has 28 splines. Can someone help with this?

 

[Roert42]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...+v6,1446675,brake+&+wheel+hub,wheel+seal,1860

 

[jhetcel23]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...+v6,1446675,brake+&+wheel+hub,wheel+seal,1860

The one I pulled off has a metal flange that seats against the outside. The one's on rock auto do not have that flange, is it not needed? See pics of the one I pulled.

 

[Roert42]

That looks like the pinion bearing seal, not the axle bearing seal.

I believe the pinion bearing seal has the flange and the axle bearing seals do not.

 

[Roert42]

I do see some listed that look the same as yours, but there are a few different motorcraft part numbers that all look the same.

I have a factory service manual at home, I should be able to find the right part number there. I can look it up tonight when I get home, unless some else comes along with more information.

 

[Uncle Gump]

There has been issue with seal part numbers in catalogs forever.

The 8.8 28 spline axle seal is the same part number as the 7.5 28 spline axle... they have the same size axle and housing. Just a larger carrier on the 8.8.

They seem to have routed all 8.8 axle seals to the 31 spline axle seal... it just won't work on the 28 spline 8.8. The axle is larger and the tube is a different size too.

I ran into this last time I did seals on my 94. I asked for a cover gasket and axle seal for an 8.8. Cover gasket was correct... axle seal was wrong.

 

[pjtoledo]

2010 and 2011 rear axles are different than prior years!!!!!!!!

they are 28 spline BUT HAVE LARGER AXLE TUBES THAT TAKE BIGGER BEARINGS

the axle shaft bearings & seals are 1.6" , same as Explorer from '95 to '01



Edit: 2010 & 2011 housings do not have provisions for a speed sensor, beware if swapping.

 

[Uncle Gump]

2010 and 2011 rear axles are different than prior years!!!!!!!!

they are 28 spline BUT HAVE LARGER AXLE TUBES THAT TAKE BIGGER BEARINGS

the axle shaft bearings & seals are 1.6" , same as Explorer from '95 to '01



Edit: 2010 & 2011 housings do not have provisions for a speed sensor, beware if swapping.

I wasn't aware of that... never owned one that new.

But I will have to log that tid bit of info into long term memory.

 

[pjtoledo]

I did a post comparing a 2010 and 2004 8.8s a few years ago. the pics may have been lost due to Photobucket issues.

 

[jhetcel23]

I ended up finding one that fit from Napa, the one that was listed in there catalog for my year did not fit, but the Napa guy found one that did. It is a Napa part no. 27SS2698. It did not have a metal flange like the OEM, but the correct ID and OD and depth.

Earlier this week I ordered a OEM seal from www.bluespringsfordparts.com, the part was listed as (5R3Z-1S177-AA). I did not end up installing this seal since I already installed the Napa seal and needed to get this done. The OEM seal was a perfect match to what I pulled off, it came in as motorcraft BRS-101. That part no. does not come up when I search for my specific year truck on any autoparts website (rockauto, advanced, o-rielly's, autozone, and Napa)

 

[Uncle Gump]

Glad you got it all figured out.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Jhetcel23, what rear bearings (manufacturer and part number) did you use? I also have a 2011, so that info would be handy. Also, how many miles on your truck when you changed the bearings and seals?

Thanks a bunch for the seal part number info. That's a huge help.

Maybe someone can clarify. Some other sites are claiming that the 2010–2011 Ranger 8.8" rear axles went to the 31–spline version instead of keeping the 28–spline.

 

[jhetcel23]

Jhetcel23, what rear bearings (manufacturer and part number) did you use? I also have a 2011, so that info would be handy. Also, how many miles on your truck when you changed the bearings and seals?

Thanks a bunch for the seal part number info. That's a huge help.

I used national 6408 bearings. You'll definitely want to use a slide hammer to remove, and a bearing seater to install.
I have low miles on mine, only 30k. I bought it and the previous owner said it sat for awhile, so I am trying to address a few issues.

 

[Roert42]

You can use the old bearings to drive the new ones in, if you don't have or want to buy a bearing punch.

 

[sgtsandman]

Jhetcel23, what rear bearings (manufacturer and part number) did you use? I also have a 2011, so that info would be handy. Also, how many miles on your truck when you changed the bearings and seals?

Thanks a bunch for the seal part number info. That's a huge help.

Maybe someone can clarify. Some other sites are claiming that the 2010–2011 Ranger 8.8" rear axles went to the 31–spline version instead of keeping the 28–spline.

They went with the larger axle tubes of the 31 spline housing but kept the 28 spline axles.