a rear end swap might be in my future

[1990LTD]

Need to do rear axle seals apparently. My mechanic said it's basically all got to come apart.


Where to go from here? I assume if he's got the rear end apart then it'd be just as easy to put a track lock (what is the correct spelling of that, by the way?) unit back in. Am I correct in assuming that?


I think I want to keep the 3.08 gears I have. It's not a racecar and I don't want mileage getting worse.

[gadget73]

its a carrier swap, no big deal, but it does involved re-shimming. Replacing the axle seals doesn't actually require full dissasembly of the rear, but its probably not a bad idea. if the seals are bad, most likely the outer bearings are also shot. If those are shot, the axles are probably toast too. Just plan on this being more than $30 worth of seals.

[1990LTD]

cunt.


only one of the seals (DS) is starting to seep a little bit. i know it's going to take a fair amount of time to actually do the work but i didn't think i'd have to swap that much. crap.


what do you think would be a better move; replace whatever needs replacing, or find a complete panther rear axle assembly and swap?

[1980c10]

You can go to 3.55's or 3.73's and you won't see a drop in milage. You city milage may actually get better. Just a thought.

[1990LTD]

I would really love more gear but my mileage would actually remain around the same? I suppose it'll have to do less work...I don't know anything on the subject though. Could you share your thoughts/reasoning?

[GM_Guy]

Your mechanic must not like working on rear axles at all if he thinks rear axle seals require nearly full disassembly. I'd call it a nice easy money maker for a shop.

Alex.

[pantera77]

I would really love more gear but my mileage would actually remain around the same? I suppose it'll have to do less work...I don't know anything on the subject though. Could you share your thoughts/reasoning?

Going from 3.08's to 3.55's I noticed no change in mileage in my 91. And I do about 80% highway driving. If your going to completely rebuild your rear end, go the extra mile and throw some gears and a T-loc in it.

[1990LTD]

He used basically the same reasoning gadget did...if X part is gone, Y part isn't far behind, and Z part goes when Y part goes. If I have to rebuild the whole thing it'll get shorter gears and a TL but if I can make it just replacing the one seal, that's good by me.


It's not a shop.


Would you need to take the pumpkin cover off to replenish whatever fluid has leaked out?

[1980c10]

There is a plug on the front side on top of the pinion on the drivers side of the center section it's a 3/8 drive to remove it. I am the type like your saying if I doing something I like to go ahead and replace everything while I'm there. Might go ahead and do the 8 clutch rebuild on the t-lok while your doing it and get it nice and tight. You should see no negetive affects on milage from 3.55's. I would go with 3.73's but I like a little gear. I have heard people say 3.73's are as much as you want with the lopo cam, but I have no expirience with that.

Cliffs,

rebuild the whole rear end, do the 8 clutch rebuild on the t-lok, and go with a 3.73 IMO.

[1987cp]

So what's actually broken? Just the seals? That's actually a really easy job, no point in paying someone to do that.

[1990LTD]

Yeah, the brake drum has fluid on it. Don't know what else could be gone as a result. Haven't lost a drop of brake fluid so that ain't it.

[91grandmarquis]

replace what parts are broken... then you are starting with new parts... not used kinda sorta maybe parts. Just my two cents, also just find out whats broken first, the axles and bearings may be fine, especially if your mechanic says its just the seals.

[1990LTD]

I'm hopeful that I can get away with just the seal.

[Glen]

The seal is no big deal. Pull the wheels, brake drum, axle cover (pumpkin cover). Pull the "C" clips, remove axles. Take out the old seal and put in the new one. Check the axles and bearings, replace as needed. Put it all back just like you took it out, replace the brake shoes if they are wet or oily.

[1987cp]

FWIW, I'd consider replacing the wheel bearings anyway ... when I took mine out on my old '79, they looked fine to me, but I knew they were making noise, so I knew at least one of them needed replacing. You don't have to of course, if yours aren't noisy, but since the seals have to come out to get to the bearings and tend to get mangled upon removal, and IIRC bearings are fairly cheap, you'll want to at least think about it.


Not that I know squat about differentials, but I don't know of a reason to mess with the centersection if it's not giving you grief, unless you are particularly desirous of parts swappage.


Here are some snapshots from my axle-bearing replacement back in '07. Note the comments about axle condition. I didn't experience any more noise afterward, but I only had that car on the road a few more months after this, so I don't know how it would have lasted later on. EDIT: See Mercracer's post below for more experienced guidance.


Is it easy to rent tools like a three-jaw slide hammer and a seal driver set up there in Kanadia?