Okay so I've been having problems with my rear end for some time now. Here is the break down.

6/26/06
Get the 4.88's put in right after lifting the truck.

4/9/07
My spider gears were the first to go. I asked the tech and he said with the weight of the tires, 8.8 axle, and open differential it was just too weak. I asked him what to do and he says add a LS diff. So I do that...

6/22/07
Then I get a start to get a slight whine on acceleration. I take it back to the place and they say that the gears are wearing unevenly. They fix them under warranty and then send me on my way.


Then about 2 weeks ago I get a vibration out of my driveline. I suspected the u-joints since it is an easy fix, not it, driveshaft checked out okay. I finally took it to 4wp and they determined it was the rearend. Took it back to the gear place. I just called about an hour ago and ring was cracked in three places. The tech I talked to said that it is a result of a "shockload"

At this point I am not sure if I am just snake bit or what. My truck is pretty much a pavement queen so I am confused. Is it me, the shop, or just badluck?

 

8.8 is a very strong rear-end. Ford ran it from 1988-2008. I ran an 8.8 with 35" on a bronco and never had a problem on Jeep rock trails.

do you offraod much? or spin your tires on loose surface that suddenly transitions to pavement?

gear misalignment and whine is a shop thing. cracking a ring gear takes alot of force. makes me think you do alot of 4x4lo

 

I can't really think of an instance where there was a transition, the only thing that comes to mind is the rain. I live in Texas though so it isn't like it happens very much... My truck has been in 4lo a handful of times and not for long. I used to offroad during highschool and my first year of college but that was before I put my lift on and when I had time..

 

The 8.8 is a great rear end. I think it's the shop. What gears did you have installed and what LS unit did you have installed?

 

I made the mistake of letting my dad do everything. When I went to pickup my truck I asked the OWNER and he said he didn't know what kind.

 

[QUOTE=etrevino103186;3227572]Okay so I've been having problems with my rear end for some time now. Here is the break down.

6/26/06
Get the 4.88's put in right after lifting the truck.

4/9/07
My spider gears were the first to go. I asked the tech and he said with the weight of the tires, 8.8 axle, and open differential it was just too weak. I asked him what to do and he says add a LS diff. So I do that...QUOTE]

How does adding a limited slip "fix" a supposed weak axle tghat cant handle heavy tires. ?!?!?!

I agree, your 8.8 is fine, its the shotty work/parts the place put in your truck.

 

Uh ...

 

[QUOTE=tim98;3227718]What they told me was that the open diff transfered all the power to one side with the ls the power would be divided thus less stress on one particular side. Plus it would also get rid of the spider gears which are weaker then the ls. Someone correct me if I was misinformed...

 

Ditto.

I've heard of this... but the 8.8 is a strong diff... but it is breakable... but you'd be busting driveshafts before busting the diff.

 

OEM driveshaft never had any kind of problems with it. So would the consensus be that it is the shop or my "hard" driving?

 

Any pics of that ring gear? Hard to place blame without visual details.

 

First your truck doesn't have much power to bust a driveshaft nor a properly installed ring and pinion.

I think it is the shop.

If anything, I'd pop one in my '99 when I used to pop the clutch from 3,000 rpms... then again I was asking for a lot of things to bust.

 

ive driven my truck about as hard as it can be driven and my rear end looked almost new when we tore into it at 50k

im thinking shop issues more then anything at this point. cut your losses

ive got a buddy in belton (he reshimed mine) if you need some contact info let me know

 

I think it is the shop too. I have been driving my truck pretty easy lately especially with gas prices. For me to crack the ring in 3 places you think I was doing some crazy stuff. What should I do. The tech said that they wouldn't warranty it but he had to talk to the owner. Should it be? I am tempted to just let 4wp do it since I've heard they have a good warranty.. Ideas?

 

just get replacement (warrantied) parts from them and then take it to my buddy in belton