ultimatenoobie

Cause I'm driving and get bored.

Jbrew

Sounds about right, they usually go between 200-225,000 miles. The drivers side axle is what wears away. Mine as well as others did the same thing.

Personally, I wouldn't chance a helper bearing. It's up to you of course , but it's risky....might not last very long. They really take a chewing.

Suggest replacing the axles. You'll get it done in a little better than a half day with the parts on hand. Passenger side is mostly likely okay. However, it's better to replace axles in pairs imo. That's up to you of course.

Going the helper bearing route, you'll have to pull the axle to mic it I would think. Aren't the splines rear end specific ? I do recall a spline choice but was able to narrow it down before ordering somehow. I didn't have it pulled yet. Shoot can't remember exactly how I dealt with that, might of just went with what everyone else with these 150's mentioned on line.. Which rear end is it 8.8 or 9.75 ? I'll take a look if yours is the same, have the old axles close by.

Crap, just remembered, - length differs from left to right. One axle is longer that the other...if that matters to yuh. I can count the splines if needed....perhaps mic the wear and tear on the drivers side axle shaft if needed....so you may have a ballpark figure to go by. You know, if your set on giving a repair bearing a shot. Let me know though, leaving soon, won't be back until Mon or Tues.

Jbrew

Oh okay, haven't been sleeping well lately....thought maybe you were creeping..

ultimatenoobie

I had a 76 ford elite that would go into reverse by itself if you left it idling in park.
One cold *** morning (still dark out) I stopped to pick up a friend and thought I would lock the car and let it run and when we came out of his house we would have a nice toasty car.
His dad came in and asked why a backed into his neighbors tree. I though he was messing with me.
Shonuff, when we went outside it was backed up into a tree in the neighbors yard. I thought maybe I left it unlocked and his dad moved it to mess with me.
Car was still locked. I assumed that his dad didn't come out into the cold, break in and put it in reverse and lock door on way out, nor crawl under the car to place it in reverse at the trans.
I went to the ford dealer and told them about this and yep, there was a recall and they could do the recall immediately. They were quick as the recall involved placing a sticker on the dash that said not to leave the car idling in park.
That was a great fix there.

Jbrew

...

AdrianP

Cheers JBrew, it's the joys of having something different over here I guess... lol

It's a 9.75" rear end and looking at things, they seem to be 34 spline and the 8.8 seem to be 31 spline so hopefully it's straight forward to order a pair

RockAuto do Richmond ones that come with bearings & seals which would make things easier to order BUT... again they do 2 different types with different sized bearing OD lol

They also do Dorman ones which list various axle tags that they fit which might be the best way to go once it stops raining and I can crawl under the truck in the dry

The downside to going this route though is it looks like it will cost me about $550 to buy & ship them compared to $60 delivered for the repair bearing... hmmm decisions, decisions...

ultimatenoobie

Well it sure seems like getting both size bearings is still far cheaper than axles. Or am I viewing this wrong?

Jbrew

Yea, it's the same set as my old truck. However, mine was 98 5four with the same rear end , 9.75, 3.55's H9. The only difference being the model year. What's yours, an 01 right ? I don't think anythings changed between them.

Alternate bearing OD's ? That doesn't make sense unless they changed the housings, never heard of that though. Are you sure that's listed for the 9.75 set up ? Maybe there's something to that, first I've heard of it though.

When I pulled mine, the bearing was fine, couldn't a thing wrong with it. But the axle, yea, that was chewed into big time and the problem. Excellent bearings in these trucks factory.

Yea, it's big difference in cost. Try the repair bearing method, it may workout. Wish there was a way do so that wouldn't totally screw up your day (s) if it doesn't.

Jbrew

Thing is, neither might work. Depends how bad the axle is. It might end up costing him more down time. That's what he's trying to get away from.

Jbrew

Adrian, if the repair bearings don't work, you could temporarily re-install the old stuff (like I said, the original bearing is most likley still in good shape...it's the axle that wears) keeping the truck usable until parts arrive. You'll need a new seal to do so. Seals are cheap so that's nothin, but fluid isn't. You'll be out some fluid unless you save the old fluid just in case. Yea, save the old fluid if you attempt this. that stuffs pricey.

Sounds like that might be worth a try.

Actually, you shouldn't have to pull your old bearing in order to verify if the repair bearings are going to even work. Repair bearing has fit the worn axle which will pull right out leaving the bearing in place inside the housing. From there you can clean the axle up real quick and test the repair bearings. Should be verify OD easily as well.

Sounding like a plan now lol.

The only risk or possible problem would be if the old bearing were to fall apart after removing axle. It's a slight risk but possible. I don't think that's going to happen. I haven't seen that occur with THESE trucks yet. The factory bearings are stout.