Hello,

I've got a 2002 FX4 with the 9.75" rear axle. The axle and pinion seals have developed slow leaks resulting in my bearings running dry and now are noisy. I don't have the money for a rebuild on the rear axle right now, so I was hoping to get by with the axle bearings and seals for now.



Because the wheel bearings use the axle as the inner race, I'm assuming that mine is pretty worn and putting a new bearing on this surface would prematurely fail. NAPA had the "repair bearing" kit for my axle which supposedly shifts the bearings to a different spot on the axle. Has anyone used this before? Are there any issues? What is the best method to get the existing bearing out?



The pinion bearing is creating a whine underload due to the low fluid level. Is there anyway to tell if the inner race of the pinion is useable and I could just replace the bearing and crush sleeve (trying to not remove the whole ring & pinion assembly)?

 

Also, I picked up synthetic Valvoline 75W140 and Trans-X Posi-Trac friction modifier from NAPA, per their recommendation. The gear lube says limited slip on the front and that it is for limited slip differentials, but do I still need the friction modifier

 

If you have an FX4, it should have a 3.55 limited slip diff, so... yes... you will need the modifier