At first, I thought my rear end was low on fluids. And possibly had leaky seals.

After checking, the fluids were topped off. So I squirted in a bit of STP Limited Slip additive and quickly put the plug back in before the excess could run out.

Haven't had a chance to test drive it yet. Started a week ago. Just when I start out from a dead stop. What does this indicate?


Gary Curtis

 

Time for tune up?

 

Definite jump in the driveshaft, and a loud thunk from the back as the wheel grabs again.

Engine runs steady the whole time.

Gary Curtis

 

Pop the cover and take a look. Mine was doing something similar and it was contaminated with water. I'ver never submerged it and bought it new.

I changed the fluid and everything is great now.

BTW look closely at the ring and pinion. You could have lost a tooth or more.

 

i would drain it and add the corect fluid and friction mod. in there and hopefully it fixes your problem i think it will, good luck

 

Is the jerking most noticable when making low speed sharp turns?

With an '88, there is a decent chance that a fluid change, including the appropriate amount of friction modifier additive, will solve the problem.

The current gear lube (particularly the additive) might be starting to break down from age and miles. In that case the clutches in the LS might be grabbing or chattering, ususally most noticable when making sharp turns at low speed.

As mentioned previously, try a fluid change with LS additive.

 

Bad news. I took the truck to Ford this morning. They called me 7 hours later to say that the rear end is in bad shape. With only 90,000 miles on the vehicle. Though I had the diff. fluids replaced in May.

I've only driven it about 500 miles since I got it. Didn't hear noises coming from the rear end. The Flowmaster muffler and headers must have masked any noise, because there must have been some.

The axle shafts are scored, three teeth are missing from the pinion gear. The bill will run $3k. I asked the service rep if he sees this kind of damage. He said there was a lot of this on Broncos. A lot of metal debris in the fluid.

It doesn't make me happy, but I don't want to scrap the truck. And at 63, I'm not frisky enough to find a scrapped rear end and install myself. At least with Ford, I have some assurance it won't happen again.

I guess I just suspected better strength from this brand. I am dissappointed.
Thanks for your advice on this forum.

Gary Curtis

 

check the other post. i replied there.
your brake shoes may be sticking.

 

No way, jose. Even with sticking brake shoes, there's no way the rear should have failed catastrophically like it sounds it did. The previous owner may have neglected it, or thrashed it; there's no way to know.

3 grand for a rebuild still sounds steep though.... any good drivetrain shop should be able to do it for half that price.

-Joe

 

i agree $3000 is way to much 1500 should be all it costs for all the parts and labor to rebiuld your axle with new components, call around i bet you find a better price, good luck

 

Ford has the truck. Because of timing, I couldn't pull once they dismantled. And how would I get it and know another place was cheaper for sure.

We are in the middle of moving to another house. Lots of stress, and no time. And I'm not strong enough to tackle a job like that myself. Looking for used ones at a junkyard, and not knowing if they are any good.

With a 700-mile drive ahead of me, my priority is peace of mind. With my wife and two dogs in the truck, I can't risk trouble on the road.

It's great to know what things 'really' cost. Normally, I get great deals on auto repair. Anyway, I told Ford to go ahead. They must even be having trouble getting parts, because they've had it for 2 days and haven't called.

Thanks so much for all the tips. I can tell you what it costs for a light rebuild on a 747 engine. Or a major rebuild. I'm happy I found this place where friendly folks know all about Fords. Cause, I don't know 'nuttin.

Gary Curtis -- on the road to Trinity County

 

Makes sense... Sounds like you made the right choice given your circumstances.

If I'm ever in the market for a new jet, I'll have you come kick the turbines for me.

-Joe

 

Minor overhaul of engine at 7500 hours of operation. Equals 1500 coast-to-coast flights. (one way)

Check up and inspection at 3500 hours. Equals 700 of the same flights.

Cost of rebuild if no internal destruction is $400,000. If engine threw turbine blades out in flight, complete rebuild is about $1.1 million.

If only our cars (and differentials) were this reliable.

Gary C.

 

I never read this post. i was replying to the other when it wasn't known that the rear was junk.

extiger.
At least you'll have the truck back on the road with some peace of mind. Its only money after all.

 

Actually, in one sense they are. Sure, we're not talking the same reliability in actual distance traveled, but in terms of number of trips, it's pretty comparable....

7500 hours..... figure an average of an average of 2 hours of operation per day (for mine anyways). That's 3750 days of operation. Then, divide that by 250 working days a year (on the low side of average) and that's 15 years of service without a major overhaul.... Aside from normal maintenance (i.e. fluids, brakes, tires, air filter, etc) most modern vehicles can do this without too many problems. In my area, the body will rot out LONG before you reach that point, but in AZ, there are early-80s vehicles (albeit faded a bit) with solid sheet metal still running, and that's from before the modern engine control systems.

I think it's do-able with most modern vehicles.

-Joe