I have gear oil leaking out of my passenger side brake drum. I'm no mechanic but I'm assuming I blew a seal somewhere in there.

I work out of my truck so I don't really want it to be down a long time because without my truck, I can't work. I'm a painter, it's not like I can borrow someone elses vehicle.

About how much is it to have a shop rebuild it?
How hard is it to do myself?
Would I be better off buying a whole new axle? which one?

I was planning on putting new axles on somewhere in the future, but I was also planning on having a different work truck first. Any help?

Thanks

 

Well it can be easy, but not always. The seals are less than $5 so get two and do both axles at the same time while its apart.

Here's a how-to on it: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech.../AxleSeal.html

The bolt that holds the carrier pin in will determine whether it's easy or not. If the bolt breaks, bad news, pain to get out. Comes out, everything else is easy.

Good luck with it!

 

could be a wheel cylinder too hows the break fluid level??

 

^^^^ Thats the first thing I'd check.

 

I sure hope my brake fluid doesn't smell like gear oil or I've got worse problems. Besides, that was the first thing I checked, the brake resevoir is full. I was having problems with the rear end a couple months ago ish, it was making kind of a grinding noise, but I changed the fluid and a couple days later the sound went away, so I didn't worry about it.

I called a couple shops and they said they can get it done tomorrow for around $300, so I'm probably just going to do that, so I can get back to work then maybe sometime around Jan/Feb when I get another work truck I'll worry about new axles. I just don't have the time right now to have my truck in the garage.

 

Holy crap man, 300 bucks! the seal is really 5 bucks, we did mine in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn once (not kidding, the Centralia PA meet of 2004)....it's super easy to do.

 

It's a really big risk for me considering I don't know what I'm doing and everyday my truck is in the garage, I lose hundreds. I was just going to do it myself, but I hear I probably need bearings also.

If it really is that easy, I'd rather just do it myself. It just HAS to be done by tomorrow night.

 

I just called oreillys and they said the seals were like $15 a piece and the bearings are like $16 a piece. I hope they are the right ones because they guy sounded a bit iffy and I'm not sure he knew what I wanted, but they have everything in stock.

Where do I get seals for $5

 

Yeah, bearings may be a good idea if you have more than 50k or so miles. they ran me about 25 bucks per side. Bearings pop out after you have the seal out, so that's worth it if you have the seals off.

It is really easy, but I've taken apart the 8.8 so many times I probably take it for granted. though it's as easy the 5oth time as it was the first time.

 

Auto Zone had my crap, though BEWARE that I got the 31 spline parts the first time.....make sure they know it's for the smaller tubed 28 spline 8.8, NOT the larger tube on the F150/FX4LII/Explorer

 

I've got 134k miles, I know I need bearings, but after I spend $30 on seals, $30+ on bearings and $30 on fluid, thats already $90+ and that's a long ways from $5, but it's also a lot less than $300+.

 

i say DIY

 

ok, the new plan is to do it myself and hope for the best. I have directions and the chiltons. I don't have anyone who knows what they're doing. All the parts are in stock at my local auto parts store. I guess I'll find out tomorrow how well it goes.

 

It is not that hard of a job it you are a little mechanically inclined and have some common sense. I think you will be able to get it done. Good Luck!

 

so they gave me the wrong seals and bearings, they are about 1/8" to big, does anyone have part numbers for the right ones?

 

yup, that's the 31 spline tube. Sorry, don't have the part numbers but you can lookup on rockauto.com....should be able to get Timken and some other part numbers that a store can cross reference off there.

 

I think this is what your looking for, if not I'm sorry

BCA/NATIONAL Part # RA311 {Bearing/Oil Seal Kit} $81.79
Rear Axle; Ford 8.8" R.G.

TIMKEN Part # DRK311 $83.79
Rear Axle; 8.8" R.G.

 

We got it figured out. For some reason, the seal and bearing Oreilly's has listed for the 7.5" fit my axles. I counted the splines on the shaft, there's 28, and I measured the ring gear and it was definitely over 8", so who knows, I definitely have an 8.8 and those fit.

Once I stopped running around getting tools and parts, it really only took me 2-3 hrs. I would have been SOOO pissed if I had paid $300+ for something that easy. That was the first time I had ever really been in my axle (changed the fluid once) and I was expecting it to be a lot more complicated.

Thanks to everyone for talking me into doing it myself. Receipts total up to around $81, but I got the expensive seals and bearings and also got a slide hammer ($10). Yay for more tools.

 

a slide hammer for 10 bucks? get me one! haha

 

Tubes and axle shafts are the same for the 7.5 and 8.8. center section is the only difference between the Ranger 8.8 and 7.5.
Hmmmm, guess asking for the 7.5 bearings and seals is probably the way to go to prevent mistakes!

 

http://www.toolsnow.com/browse.cfm/4,380.html

I don't know what the shipping would be, the store is just up the street, and yes, it is awesome.