Thread: Ford help

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I was thinking of replacing the seal when I said you might try replacing the bearing. The seal can be done from the front, but you'll have to pull your axles to drop the pumpkin to change pinion bearings - there's a rear bearing by the gear and a front bearing that goes in from the outside. You're talking total disassembly of the differential section, so it makes sense to change all the bearings, and check your gears, too. Here's a blowup picture.

9inblowup.jpg

It's not rocket science, but you've got to get the pre-load right on reassembly with new parts or you can trash a set of gears in short order. If it's the stock rear end you should be able to get the right kit from your local NAPA, or your favorite parts store.

With your tranny in neutral (or drive shaft dropped) how much rotational slop do you feel in the yoke? How about any lateral movement of the yoke, which would be bearing slop? Maybe jack up a wheel and use it as a lever to rock the differential back & forth to see of you find your clunk before dropping the center section out.