I purchased a 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gears and Limited Slip. It has about 70,000 miles on it. Appeared to be in good shape. I installed it today, got everything back together. Took it for a spin, and it seems like I can see my tires wobbling (I only got up to about 25mph), and when I turn I hear a light groaning sound.

I'm pretty frustrated to say the least. What could be the problem? Bent axle, bent tube? I'm not very familiar with rear ends.

 

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Did you pull it or was it already out? Wreck/rolled vehicle?

Your question..........it could be either or both

I'd put it up on jack stands & spin it to see..............

 

Not sure on the history of the vehicle.... It was already off of the truck.

 

Bummer man!

It sounds like it could be a bent axleshaft and that caused the wheel bearing to have the groaning issues. I'm not certain though. Like suggested above, you're going to have to jack it up and look at it.




Allen

 

Thanks for the advice...... I'm lost on what to do. This is my DD and it's too cold/wet for the motorcycle!

So, what do you guys think, trying replacing the axle shafts with the one's off my old rear end? Or say F-It and put the old one back in and have a shop look at this one.

Errr..... I'm p*ssed!

 

Can you call the place you bought it from and get another one? If so then I would start there first.

Other then that, if it was my Ranger I would support the rear end off the ground while chocking both front tires and start the truck. I would put it in gear and let the tires turn and examine from there.




Allen

 

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Why did you replace the old one to begin with if it was good?

If the replacement one is also an 8.8 28 splined Ranger rearend, then you should be able to swap the axle, if it's a 31 splined axle, then your gonna have to replace either the axle or whole rearend.

Know that's not what ya wanta hear, but..............

 

I had the same problem. My L side was bent.

I replaced it with the old 7.5 ones...works like a charm now :)

 

Wanted the 4.10 gears versus my 3.55's.

31 splines only came in FX4 Rangers, right?

 

and Explorers

 

Sorry to hear of your troubles as I am about to buy a rear end and get gears put in it.

What would be the best way to avoid something like this? How can you tell if the differential is in good condition or not when you go to pick it up?

 

I had mine shipped, so I wasn't able to physically look at it. But, for the price I paid, even with swapping in the axle, I got a good deal.

If you pick one up at a local junk yard, spin the differential (preferably with the drums on there) and see if you see any wobbles. You could tell on mine easily with the bent axles.

 

Well I just picked up an 8.8 but it only has 3.55's on it. I think I'm going to go with 4:56's but I gotta mount it up and spin it. It came off an 04 edge and there wasn't any damage done to it so it should be fine once I gear it.