when to replace limited slip clutches?

[kbecker3]

Just put a 7.5" rear end in my ranger, it has ford factory traction lok. Hoping it will be better than the open diff i had on there. I noticed that if i jack one wheel in the air, and spin it, it breaks free pretty easy. Is there a way that i can tell if the clutch pack needs replaced? I was going to replace gear lube but didn't want to yet unless i can figure out if the clutches need replaced or not. Some sort of test maybe?

 

[kbecker3]

really, no one knows? any way i can take diff cover off and measure or move clutch discs around to see if they need replaced? or is the only way to take them out and look at them?

 

[kryptonitecb]

take them out and look at them?

Bingo

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[RonD]

Yes, that's pretty much the only way to "test" them.
They use soft clutches which can wear out, you could hit the mud in 2wd and see how it is working.

The fact it turned easily doesn't really mean anything except it won't clunk when going around corners , which is a good thing

 

[Scrambler82]

You might try this… jack up the rear end of the vehicle.

Have a buddy hold one rear tire and you spin the other.

If you have a lot of friction then there is a chances are the clutches are good, if it spins like an open diff, no friction, then you need to get them replaced.

What year is the rear end ?

 

[kbecker3]

rear end is a 2002 with 102,000 on it. Dont know any history on it. it apears someone has had the cover off though, the oil looked pretty clean from the fill plug (sticking finger in), and the silicone to seal it up looked fairly new.

 

[Surrey]

102 000 miles? Probably shot.

Can you even buy clutch kits for these? I looked once upon a time and didn't come up with anything (might not have been looking hard enough though...)

 

[martin]

Might just need re-shimming, the clutches do wear. The re-build kits for the 8.8 come with an assortment of different thickness shims, don't know about the 7.5 but I would assume it's more or less the same thing.

 

[kbecker3]

sweet, i just assumed the clutches were still available from the dealer.

 

[kbecker3]

does anyone happen to know, is this the p/n for the ford 7.5 clutch kit?

F5ZZ4947BA

 

[Surrey]

Google says that it is.

 

[kbecker3]

sweet, thanks, just bought one on ebay, says brand new in ford package.