|
07-27-2015, 06:48 PM
|
Ford Ranger Owner
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
|
|
rear axle play/ pinion seal
Pinion seal has been leaking for 40k.
I always keep an eye on it, top off with gl-5
Mechanic tells me leaking seal is a symptom of impending bearing failure.
I dont get any howling from rear end, but he showed my the play. he shoik whole axle by pulling on rear wheel while.checking alignment.
I recently changed fluid, did not see any loose metal in differential.
Generally speaking, do we think my rear end is on its way out? 2001 185k
|
Register and never see these ads again. |
|
07-27-2015, 07:02 PM
|
|
Buy a Ford
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 178
|
|
A 2001 with 185,000 miles anything is possible. If you changed the fluid then you can handle replacing the pinion seal. It's not a difficult task and the seal is cheap.
Remove driveshaft, make a witness mark on the yoke and pinion nut, remove nut and yoke then remove the seal.
Put it back together in reverse order.
__________________
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms belong on a grocery list not a government agenda!
**SOLD** Original owner 2007 Ranger reg cab, white, 6' bed, 4wd, 3.0 auto, 167,500 miles when I sold it**
1997 F 250 HD reg cab 4wd 351 auto
|
07-28-2015, 01:40 PM
|
Ford Ranger Owner
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
|
|
I am less concern about the seal than I am about the play in the rear end being symptomatic of an imminent differential failure
|
07-28-2015, 03:50 PM
|
Ford Ranger Driver
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,942
|
|
Re: rear axle play/ pinion seal
There actually is a slight bit of play in a healthy rear end. In and out that is. The shafts have approximatley 1/8" of in and out play.
|
07-30-2015, 10:08 AM
|
Ford Ranger Owner
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
|
|
What do we think of the theory that seal failure is precipitated by bearing wear?
I would put axle play on my Ranger closer 3/8"
|
07-30-2015, 12:45 PM
|
|
Ford Ranger Driver
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,613
|
|
Re: rear axle play/ pinion seal
I'm a little lost here. He pulled on the wheel to show you the pinion bearing was going bad?
Is the rear end limited slip?
__________________
2007 Ford Ranger XLT Vista Blue
4x4 4.0L Double Lifted/Coilovers
Instagram
1998 Ford Ranger XL - Daily Beater 2.5L Auto - Lowered 4/6
|
07-31-2015, 12:58 PM
|
Ford Ranger Owner
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
|
|
Not limited slip.
Went for alignment, steering was pulling. Guy puts it on rack. He calls me over to show me leaking pinion seal.
I say-I know, been leaking for about 40k. I check and top it off frequently.
Then he grabs on sIde of rear end, shakes it-i see the in and out play in rear end.
He says-leaking pinion seal is a symptom of bearing going bad, in that a worn bearing causes play that eats into seal. He says my rear end is on the way out.
Alignment checks out perfectly. Then the theory was the worn rear end was possibly contributing to steering pull.
My question, again, does a leaking seal mean the bearing is worn, and the rear end going bad?. Does extra play in rear end mean same? Rear end does not howl at this time. I ask, because if rear end is doomed, then I wont bother with replacing seal
|
07-31-2015, 09:54 PM
|
Ford Ranger Driver
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 8,818
|
|
If you don't trust your mechanic, find one you can.
|
07-31-2015, 10:00 PM
|
Ford Ranger Driver
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,942
|
|
Re: rear axle play/ pinion seal
If he grabbed the side of the rear end and was using that to determine pinion bearing wear, then he was mistaken. The side axle shafts do have in and out play on a healthy rear end.
Now, if the pinion seal is leaking, likely the bearing is to the point that it is nearing the end of its life. But, a leaking seal doesn't always mean the bearing is bad. It could just be an old seal. But many times, the play in the bearing causes the seal to wear away and begin to weep.
Push up and down on the driveshaft near the rear end and see if you feel play. If not, just replace the seal. It doesn't really take that long.
|
08-01-2015, 02:26 AM
|
Ford Ranger Owner
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
|
|
Thank you.
he's not my mechanic he is the guy that did the alignment check.
I use information from as many sources as possible to make informed decisions about my vehicle
it sounds like some of what he said could be accurate.
the point the gentleman made about shaking the drive shaft is appreciated
|
08-02-2015, 12:37 PM
|
Ford Ranger Owner
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
|
|
So I did my weekly gl5 top off. Took very Little. Thing leaves a quarter to half dollar spot everywhere I park for a day, but seldom seems to need more that a few oz's of gl5 to drool back out of the fill hole for top off.
Tried to shake axle near pinion. Didnt move a bit Up or down or side
Side. Rotated a bit. So I guess bearings ok, just the seal
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
|