I had to change my front axle grease yesterday due to it was pretty milky looking with what I suspect would be water. The thing is I changed the grease about a year ago becasue it was milky looking then.
What's happning? I know the front axle is vented but it still shouldn't get that bad looking in that amount of time. I never drive into deep water, truck never really leaves the road and I don't think condensation should cause that much water.
The vent tube runs up behind the inner fender well on the passenger side well it's sits in a horizontal position. I was thinking that road and rain water get splashed up in there collect on the tube and travel back down into the axle. Would it help if I relocated the vent tube and had the opening point downwards so that water can't travel back down into the axle?

 

Maybe you axle housing has a crack in it? I have seen this happen alot on big trucks. Milky looking lube in a diff. is definitely water contaminated. Milky lube does major damage to bearing.

 

Thanks gearman.
I kind of thought about the same things too. I hope I didn't let it go too far and the bearings are really shot yet. Allthough it doesn't seem to hopeful. I did notice what seemed like to me excessive play up and down in the diff side bearing on driver side. I checked agaist another 97 and is had almost as much play and Ford tech said mine was normal. It doesn't seem to have much front to back play at all, rotates smooth with no noise, and no shavings on chuncks came out with oil.
I seem to recall looking over the diff case when changing the oil and seeing a slight line/crack on it but it 's right where two castings meet together. So it may be a crack or it could be normal casting. I will check over it better now that you metion it.
If the case is cracked it could be hard to find a new one. Where can I find a new one, and how much? I guess if I have to have a new case or even drop the front case I will have 4.10's put in front and rear which I know will cost 1000-1500.

 

I would hope the case is available from FOMOCO. We have rebuilt some of the 8.8", IFS frt. axles in our shop @ my place of employment. They seem like a pretty darn good diff.

 

gearman
Where do you work? Is it a Ford dealer or some other type of shop? The reason I ask is Indianapolis is not to far from me (2-3 hrs). If I did have to do something and the price justified the drive, I wouldn't hesitate to bring it to you or a reputable tech of yours.
Looking on fordpartsonline, they want 106 just for the axle tube on the pass. side, you have to contact them for the case and front cover. So in my best guess I would say a bare bones 8.8 IFS case with no guts, no axle tube, and no front cover would cost $400+.

 

I don't wish to say on the site here (no advertising). I work for a Truck parts establishment (light duty, and up to the big rigs). Everything @ my vocation is caried in (no facilities @ our shop to do work on the entire vehicle).

Also, 9/26/02 will be my last day at this employer. I have been there almost sixteen years. Started as a rebuilder and have occupied every seat in the house. I am tired of Corp. downsizing and dummies (controllers & accountants) that have no realm of what is going on at Ground Zero. Controllers & Accountants only seem to worry about bottom line "profits.

 

gearman
Well, thanks for your help. I understand what you mean about the beancounters vs the real world. I've been through one major corp layoff and deal with the BS of another right now. I hate thinking about facing that all my life, IMO the best thing someone can do is work for themselves. Good luck in whatever it is that you may be doing now.