I would like to know if anyone else has had to replace the bearons in the rearend of their 1997 F150 with less then 80,000 miles on it.

 

Gearset wear/clearance shows up as "whining"; whereas bearings show up as a growl or rumble -- which is hard to hear -- and rare.

Why are you suspecting a problem?

 

We just spent over $400.00 having this problem fixed. The garage said this should never go bad.

 

I agree with the garage (So why is my opinion worth two cents? Used to be Regional Svc Rep for Canada and Great Lakes U.S. -- Axle & Brake Div'n - Eaton Corp.).

What were the symptoms? How did it live those first 80K? What did they replace? Got any pix? What was the lube-change history? Do you tow a boat? What ratio? Why did they think they got it right this time?

I can think of several things that could have gone wrong -- but then you didn't ask for a diagnosis, merely a survey.

Regards,

------------------
Y2K™ 7700 4x4
Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

When I did my gear change, I of course, had the bearings replaced at the same time. What I didn't expect was, the outer race of the inner pinion bearing had a pretty good size chunk missing out of the bearing surface. The truck had less than 20K on it at the time. I now run a Mag-Hytec differential cover that has a magnet in the drain plug and one in the dipstick to help keep the nasties from getting in the bearings and causing problems. I also run LE607 gear lube. There isn't a better gear lube made!

www.mag-hytec.com
www.le-inc.com

------------------
98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, 285/75R16 Goodyear MT/R's, 16x8 Center Line Hell Cats. Needs one more door.
http://hometown.aol.com/ninetyeightfword

 

Jgorka, I have several contacts @ Eaton Corp. in Kalazamoo & various locations. Sure is a small world. Gearmanx17.

------------------
1999 Teal Blue F-150 s/c
4.6L, XLT, 3.55 L/S
Tow pkg., rhino liner, engine block heater & hard toneau cover. single c.d.
255/75 r16 Generals-owl

 

I had the rear pinion seal replaced in my 97 around 25000, I think... The seal leaked, so they fixed that, but when they later replaced the driveshaft and pinion they must not have set the backlash right and it torched the pinion bearing and shaft, as well as the ring gear. It was all under warranty, so I have no idea of the cost.

Is it normal? No. Can it happen? Yes. Is it uncommon? I don't think so.
-Joe-