slight wobble on rear tire

[bluebombersfan]

I've found out that my rear passenger side wheel has a slight wobble on it. I rotated the rims and it's still wobbley on the same side so I know it's not the rim.
What does this mean?

 

[kunar]

I've found out that my rear passenger side wheel has a slight wobble on it. I rotated the rims and it's still wobbley on the same side so I know it's not the rim.
What does this mean?

bent axle shaft?

 

[bluebombersfan]

Bent axle?

I don't understand how I could have a bent axle when my truck has never been in any accidents. The only thing that I can think is my drum brakes have been pulsating some and sometimes lock up on gravel, but I would never think bad drum brakes could have the power to warp a drive axle, can there be any other better possibilities?
I feel so let down by my Ranger.

 

[Mac]

The guy at the JY I've used a lot warned me that a lot of the 8.8 rears have the wheel flange bent, not the axle. Said he finds it the most on 4x4's. Even a hard sidewards slide/bump into a curb can bend the flange. A dial indicator will tell if it's the flange or the axle.
Dave

 

[kunar]

The guy at the JY I've used a lot warned me that a lot of the 8.8 rears have the wheel flange bent, not the axle. Said he finds it the most on 4x4's. Even a hard sidewards slide/bump into a curb can bend the flange. A dial indicator will tell if it's the flange or the axle.
Dave

the wheel flange is part of the axle shaft. i doubt the axle housing has bent, even if it is bent it wouldnt show as a wobble at the wheel. i've bent an axle shaft from sliding into a curb (it bent the wheel too)

 

[Mac]

Ya, I guess what I was trying to say is that you don't have to be in an accident to end up with the axle shaft/flange bent. Just maybe too many cold ones watching the race today, what a suck ass ending.
Dave

 

[bluebombersfan]

is wheel flange replaceble?

is just the wheel flange replaceable? I am crossing my fingers because that sounds a lot cheaper to fix then the whole axle shaft.

 

[BlackBII]

It's all one peice...so not really.

The bearing could be jacked as well.

 

[bluebombersfan]

this isn't sounding good to me

this is going to cost me thousands,

 

[BlackBII]

Thousands??

No. Depends on what the problem is exactly. I would say no more 100$, depends on if its the shaft, bearing, or tube.

And if you can get a replacement of whatever it is from a junkyard.

 

[bluebombersfan]

my mechanical knowledge is not so good.
I thought I would have to get my whole rear axle changed, I thought it was just one whole piece that was built to last.

 

[4x4junkie]

Axle shafts are often less than $50 at the wrecking yards. You remove the differential cover, pull out the differential cross shaft, remove the axle c-clip, slide the old (bent) shaft out of the housing, slide the new one in, assemble in reverse order.

A little time-consuming, but not difficult at all to do (nor expensive).

 

[bluebombersfan]

have to be same axle ratio?

I would assume I would have to get it of one with the same axle ratio?
I haven't tried to order a new piece but sounds like it might be around $300 or more. junkyard is sounding good to me

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would assume I would have to get it of one with the same axle ratio?
I haven't tried to order a new piece but sounds like it might be around $300 or more. junkyard is sounding good to me

The only time you need to worry about the ratio is when you are shopping for the entire axle, the shafts are the same for your style of truck. Somewhere along the line they changed the length, but I think it was for the '93 redesign.

 

[merc2dogs]

Mine also has a bent flange, not noticeable unless you are going very slow, (like slowly coasting up to a light) then you feel a slight shimmy side to side. At anything over 5mph you don't feel it, till you get to 75mph, then it begins to shake. I get great mileage at 60-65, so that's the speed I normally cruise, and it's no problem.

In my case I bought a complete rear axle from a wrecked truck, never considered a possible bend, but should have.

Here you can get the complete assembly for $100. Think the axle itself is $30. For that price, it's cost effective to pick up the whole axle and keep the remains for spares. If you get the same ratio you are set for a while.
Half hour or so and you can have it changed out easily.

Ken.