Hello all, I have a whirring sound coming from my right rear wheel area, and all online research has me looking at the bearings. I have replaced my front bearing assemblies, but would like to only replace the rear bearings and seals, to avoid having to take apart my drum brakes. I found a video that shows just that being done:
The only thing is that I do not know how to remove the end of the axle, as the video starts after that has been done. Does anyone have any idea? The video is on a 98 Ranger, and I have an 03 Edge. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

You have to take off the differential cover and remove the c clips on the ends of the axle shafts. Then the whole shaft will slide out. It's a very easy process.

 

Is there any draining involved? Or is this a dry repair?

 

When you take the cover off, you're gonna loose all your fluid.

 

Can you direct me to a tutorial on diff fluid involved repairs? I know next to nothing about differentials.

 

I have a Haynes Repair Manual, I'm learning quite a bit from reading through that.

 

The guy likes his "F" word allot...

Note that if the roller bearing is shot, then the axle may need to be replaced too.
Unless there is a sleeve that the bearing rides on, but in this case the bearing probably rides directly on the axle.

 

Yeah, looks like the bearing rides right on the axle, if the bearing is bad then the axle will have to be replaced too.
Not that expensive...

https://www.carid.com/2003-ford-rang...-34135053.html

 

That paints a much better picture than what I had in my head, thank you!

 

Make sure that the rear end is clean before you go in, like around the filler plug on the axle and the cover.
You do not want any dirt to get into the differential case.

 

Here's a photo of a severely worn axle.
There would be oil all over the brakes and wheel when it is this bad.
The groove by the penny isn't supposed to be there.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/drivet...9/#post2011958